rvrtrash
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2003
- Messages
- 3,665
When the key is turned to start, the starter solenoid energizes, 12V is put through the contacts of the solenoid to the starter cable and the brown wire (#262). That 12V goes through plug D and then the flat 4 prong plug to the coil. It will also go through the resistance wire to the switch, but as the switch is in the start position, the run position contact isn't made and the voltage is just a potential there. When the key is released from the start position and goes to the run position, the starter solenoid disengages and 12V is no longer going to the starter motor or the brown wire terminal through the solenoid. Instead, 12V goes from the switch run position contacts, through the resistance wire, to plug D and the flat 4 prong plug to the coil. Assuming the engine is running, the points complete a circuit through the coil and voltage is dropped to 8-9V by the combined resistance of the coil primary winding and the resistance wire. Voltage will also go out along the brown wire to the starter solenoid terminal, but as the contacts in the solenoid are now open, is just a potential at that point. If the car isn't running, and the points are open, there is no circuit path, no current flow, and you would read 12V at the coil and the starter solenoid terminal. Once the car is running and the points complete the circuit path, you should see the 8-9V. Hopefully this helps. I can make a guess at how the pertronix is built and functions, that would involve a 12V transistor or a 5V transistor and a voltage divider circuit, with a .7 volt base voltage, which is why function is marginal if the resistor wire is used as a power source, but I would be guessing.
Steve
