87 ignition questions

steelheadder

I bought a 87 par car and the coil tested bad. When I removed it there was marking on it that said that it needs a external resister. Is this right, because I can not find a external resister in the schematic or parts manual? Also if this is not right could the excess voltage have fried my ignition module and is there a way to test the module?
Thanks

BGW

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tew45

Go to your auto parts store and buy another coil that has the internal resistor or buy the resistor at the auto store. I used to get my coils from the auto junk yard. The coil I am running on my HD is an old Honda 350 coil that has been buried in a gulley behind my house since 1975. I cut the coil mount in half (has 2 coils on one mount) and put it on my cart. It does not have to have an external resistor. If you use a coil that requires a current limiting resistor without one it will last about 4 minutes give or take 5 minutes.

steelheadder

Thanks Tew. I talked to the previous owner of the cart today and he told me he just went to the parts store and told them he needed a coil. The next day he fried some of the ignition switch wires and that's where I entered the picture. I did some rewiring and got it to run. It ran about 4 blocks and then it didn't. I found the ignition module testing procedure in CPC Manual Service Utilitruck 86 88, and confirmed that it is dead. I'm going to replace the coil and ignition module and pray that that is all that's wrong!!

tew45

I hope the hall effect sensor is OK! Just be sure the new coil does not require an external resistor.

steelheadder

What and where is a hall effect sensor? I can't find anything about it. I would appreciate any info you could give me on it (location, purpose, testing).
Thanks

tew45

Since I am not really familiar with the late Columbia carts. I may be mistaken about the Hall effect ignition. If you have points then you do not have the sensor. It just replaces the points. I will check the manual now. ---I should check before I speak-- I should know better! OK. I checked the manual and some 1986 carts had the magnetic pickup on the point plate. I believe this to be a Hall effect switch that uses the same coil as the point ignition system. This is a gray area for me. Your cart also might have points installed. I have installed the Chrysler transistor ignition system (still uses points) on carts but not the magnetic pickup which is a lot more expensive. I prefer the point system since on carts, being single cylinder systems, they only require checking annually. Since the point system is obsolete in the automotive industry the replacement parts can be very low quality. I hope this makes sense. Last post was prompted by an extra glass of medicinal red.

steelheadder

I appreciate all the help. My cart has the electronic ignition module instead of points and after finding the test procedure I found it is bad. I ordered a new one but if it ever goes bad I think I'll switch to points. And no need to apologize , I have also been known to have a extra glass of medicine from time to time
Thanks again and I'll post back once I get the part and get it installed.

steelheadder

Well I finally got the ignition module and coil changed and took it for a long drive today. I am going to have to time it better and maybe adjust the accelerator microswitch. But overall the cart ran good and strong. I think I will finish out the season with it the way it is but I am thinking about streching the cart over the winter, I think a four seater with the par car bed could be pretty useful or at least fun to build! Thanks again for all of your help Tew.