Magnetic Pickup Wire Partially Severed/ Installing New One

[Fiat88]

So, I took the distributor cap off and rotor to try to install my new magnetic pickup due to the insulation on the white wire being melted and found this... the black wire is connected by only 1 or 2 strands. So, I've read this a common problem?

Never replaced a magnetic pickup before but looks straightforward, is there a certain way to position the 2 wires inside so they don't get cut up? Thx.

[4babycar]

Yes there is. Once the white wire is set in the distributor groove give the sensor a complete twist forming a loop that wants to lean out towards the cap. If the loop leans inward then it rubs against the distributor trigger and will be torn up in just a few minutes. Just make sure that you adjust the gap between the distributor trigger and the pick-up head (I believe the spec is .2 mm but don't hold me to that) - otherwise you will get really strange symptoms - ask me how I know this. Also, make sure you don't pinch the wires re-installing the cap and tuck the white wire going to the coil well away from the exhaust and secure it well. IMHO, the magnetic pick-up is the favorite gremlin of the Fiat. Take care of it well. I have been dropped on the side of the road 4 times in a Fiat and 3 of those times have been for the magnetic pick-up and I just spent the better part of a month diagnosing a mysterious FI problem for it to end up being a magnetic pick-up out of adjustment. I try to keep a spare on hand at all times.

[Fiat88]

Yes there is. Once the white wire is set in the distributor groove give the sensor a complete twist forming a loop that wants to lean out towards the cap. If the loop leans inward then it rubs against the distributor trigger and will be torn up in just a few minutes. Just make sure that you adjust the gap between the distributor trigger and the pick-up head (I believe the spec is .2 mm but don't hold me to that) - otherwise you will get really strange symptoms - ask me how I know this. Also, make sure you don't pinch the wires re-installing the cap and tuck the white wire going to the coil well away from the exhaust and secure it well. IMHO, the magnetic pick-up is the favorite gremlin of the Fiat. Take care of it well. I have been dropped on the side of the road 4 times in a Fiat and 3 of those times have been for the magnetic pick-up and I just spent the better part of a month diagnosing a mysterious FI problem for it to end up being a magnetic pick-up out of adjustment. I try to keep a spare on hand at all times.

Thanks for the advice 4babycar, but I'm a little confused about how to set the gap. Care to elaborate. Thx.

[manoa matt]

The stator has 4 points on it, and the magnetic pickup has a high spot too. Line up one of the stator points with the magnetic pickup. There will be a small air gap. The gap should be .5mm-.6mm

[4babycar]

Thanks Matt for correcting the gap dimension! Like Matt said, rotate the stator so one point lines up to the raised area on the sensor. Run the two screws down snug on the magnetic pickup so it can be moved with some gentle nudging, set the gap with a non-magnetic shim (brass or stainless steel), secure the screws and then re-check the clearance. Do not use a screw driver or anything to pry the magnet or sensor into position. It is easy to crack the magnet under the sensor and if the magnet cracks funny things can happen.

[BEEK]

make sure you dont put the magnet below the pickup on in the wrong direction! it is obvious if you study the magnet which direction it is installed

[Fiat88]

make sure you dont put the magnet below the pickup on in the wrong direction! it is obvious if you study the magnet which direction it is installed

It did come with a diagram on which direction to place the magnet, it has a line drawn on one side. Thx though.

Thanks Matt also.

[Fiat88]

Alright I think I did good with the replacement job. At first, I think the gap was wrong because when the car was in park(have an automatic) the tach guage rpm needle was steady but when I placed the gear in reverse the needle kept jumping up and down(is that what you meant by weird things happening 4babycar?). So, I readjusted the gap between the one of the stators and pickup head, didn't have a measuring tool so I winged it and idles fine and the gauge reading is back to normal. Took it for a spin and looks good to me.

[4babycar]

Yeah, the bouncing tach is one of the symptoms but there are several others too (You can see my ordeal in this post: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10207). If you don't have a gauge you can use a matchbook cover which is pretty close to the right thickness. Generally if it runs well then you got it right. I never new there was even a spec for the gap until a little over a year ago. Good job and enjoy!