Intermittent Fuel Pump? / Bad Magnetic Pickup?

[Burningmustard]

you need to replace the pickup unit inside the distributor. Those wires have been repaired by wrapping them with tape. When you install the new unit, take care to keep the wires away from the rotor and reluctor

I thought they looked pretty bad. Do you think this is causing my problem, or is this just something that needs to be replaced.

Is this the correct part.




Also, is this a difficult job for a beginner? Appreciate everyone's help.

[So Cal Mark]

I'd say there is a very good chance that is the source of your trouble. That is the correct part in the pic. Replacement is pretty easy, with a couple of important things to watch for. The orientation of the magnet is critical, the gap to the reluctor must be set properly and route the wires so they don't contact anything that spins

[Burningmustard]

I'd say there is a very good chance that is the source of your trouble. That is the correct part in the pic. Replacement is pretty easy, with a couple of important things to watch for. The orientation of the magnet is critical, the gap to the reluctor must be set properly and route the wires so they don't contact anything that spins

Thanks Mark for your help. I ordered the part, should be here Saturday. Hopefully this will fix my problem, but either way the existing wires looked pretty beat up.

I will have to do a little research as I am not quick sure what you mean by orientation of the magnet and gap to the reluctor.

[emosfiat]

Mark, I have an issue with the 81 that feels like running out of fuel after driving awhile. It always starts back up and idles good and am able to drive for a short time then is does it again. You mentioned that the ignition module can be the culprit when it gets too hot. I there a way to isolate the module from the heat of the coil? Can it be a remote module away from the assembly? Just a thought.

Emo.

[Burningmustard]

Got my part today. After tons of research, I really think this will fix it. Thanks to everyone for leading me to try this direction first.

Time to replace the magnetic pickup.

How do I remove the, what I believe to be called the centrifugal advance mechanism, to replace the magnetic pickup.

I don't possess the ability to mess with timing, so I want to be carefully not to change anything.



Thanks!

[So Cal Mark]

no need to fool with the advance at all. You can turn the engine so the gaps in the weight plate allow a screwdriver to get to the pickup screws

[So Cal Mark]

the module is mounted on a heat sink under the coil. You can move it, but it HAS to be mounted on a heat sink or it will fail quickly

[Burningmustard]

no need to fool with the advance at all. You can turn the engine so the gaps in the weight plate allow a screwdriver to get to the pickup screws

Great. Thanks for hanging with me and helping a beginner out. This is a pretty easy fix.

[Burningmustard]

no need to fool with the advance at all. You can turn the engine so the gaps in the weight plate allow a screwdriver to get to the pickup screws

Okay, please help the new guy out one more time. How do I turn the engine. It sounds so simple, and it must not be too hard as I read one guy on the forum replaced the magnetic pickup at a stoplight.

[Burningmustard]

no need to fool with the advance at all. You can turn the engine so the gaps in the weight plate allow a screwdriver to get to the pickup screws

Okay, please help the new guy out one more time. How do I turn the engine. It sounds so simple, and it must not be too hard as I read one guy on the forum replaced the magnetic pickup at a stoplight.

Nevermind, I got it installed. Thanks, works great. I just hope I got the wires routed so they won't get torn up.

[zachmac]

Oooooh grasshopper, you have slain first Fiat dragon! One hand applauding. Other hand must remain clenched and on guard against future trials! Many demons will come, but you can slay them!

Seriously, congratulations on your first fix! These cars are not as complicated as some folks want to make them out to be and you can learn a lot on this platform. The FI is as basic as FI gets and there are a lot of folks here that have battled the FI dragons with success. Welcome to the club. Don't ever let anyone tell you your car shouldn't start easy hot or cold, run smoothly and perform reasonably well.

[Burningmustard]

Oooooh grasshopper, you have slain first Fiat dragon! One hand applauding. Other hand must remain clenched and on guard against future trials! Many demons will come, but you can slay them!

Seriously, congratulations on your first fix! These cars are not as complicated as some folks want to make them out to be and you can learn a lot on this platform. The FI is as basic as FI gets and there are a lot of folks here that have battled the FI dragons with success. Welcome to the club. Don't ever let anyone tell you your car shouldn't start easy hot or cold, run smoothly and perform reasonably well.

Thanks. Websites like this and all the members that take the time to pass knowledge on to us new guys makes it easy.