Technical Fiat 500 L 123 Ignition Problems

[gusgurner]

Hi All

I recently taken my 500L from 72 off the road and rebuilt the engine.

Its now ready to fire up but I am struggling with the 123 Ignition I fitted it when the car was running many years ago as had repeated problems with condenser failures.

At the time it was easy to fit and adjust and never had a problem with it until now.

Now however I do! Nothing has changed it just sat in a box until needed.

Now when I connect up the green light comes on but goes off I moved to several positions but no joy when I connect the Negative earth it comes on but goes off after a few seconds. I can see with the new plugs out there is a very intermittent spark. I've checked all the wiring and all seems ok but can't understand why the green light goes out.

Do these units fail ?

Any help appreciated as getting very frustrated now.

Cheers Gus

 

[JumpJet]

.

Do these units fail ?

Routinely. The heat kills them. Many of us on this board have been through 123 setups and often wind up back at points or with a hall-effect style distributor.

 

[gusgurner]

Routinely. The heat kills them. Many of us on this board have been through 123 setups and often wind up back at points or with a hall-effect style distributor.

Hi Matt

Thanks for the reply.

It was heat and constant failures that prompted me to go go down the electronic route and she ran great for 5 yrs or so.

Easy to set up and she was running before I took the engine out. Gearbox very leaky so both getting a refresh.

Just confused why the light goes on then off and no spark!

Anyway maybe put the points back then I guess.

 

[gusgurner]

Bit the bullet and bought new ignition once timing right engine roared into life.

After engine rebuild how many hours miles would you suggest to run it in.

Cheers

Gus

 

[the hobbler]

Bit the bullet and bought new ignition once timing right engine roared into life.

After engine rebuild how many hours miles would you suggest to run it in.

Cheers

Gus

I always run-in a new/rebuilt engine for about 800 miles---400 on a high-zinc-content running-in (aka,break-in) oil, then change the oil another dose of running-in oil and then at 800 miles, change the oil to (if it is a standard specification engine) to a high quality 20/50 oil. I would also suggest that the centrifugal oil-filter is cleaned during each oil change. No matter how expensive good quality oil is, it is the life-blood of your engine, and is a darn site cheaper than a 'crocked' engine.

 

[gusgurner]

Cheers for that I'll follow that.

Good point about the oil filter when I stripped the engine the oil filter was well blocked.

Just got to wait for the body to come back from the welders / paint shop then the rebuild goes ahead with gusto.

This is a great forum.

Thanks for your help

Cheers

Gus