PerTronix 71281D User Manual

LIMITED WARRANTY

PerTronix, Inc. warrants to the original purchaser of its products that the
Ignitor III shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of
(30) months from the date of purchase.

If within the period of the foregoing warranty Pertronix finds, after inspec­tion, that the product or any component thereof is defective, Pertronix will, at its
option, repair such products or component or replace them with identical or simi­lar parts PROVIDED that within such period Purchaser:

Promptly Notifies Pertonix, in writing, of such defects.1.
Delivers the defective products product or component to Pertronix (ATTN: 2.

Warranty) with proof of purchase date; and
Has installed and used the product in a normal and Proper manner, consis-3.

tent with Pertronix printed instructions.

THE FORGOING LIMITED WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
AND IMPLIED WARRANTY OR MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PURPOSE.

THE FURNISHING OF A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS SHALL
CONSTITUTE THE SOLE REMEDY OF PURCHASER AND THE SOLE LIABILITY
OF PerTronix WHETHER ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT

OR FOR NEGLIGENCE,
AND IN NO EVENT WILL PerTronix BE LIABLE FOR MONEY DAMAGES
WHETHER DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL.

PRIOR TO INSTALLATION TURN IGNITION SWITCH OFF

OR DISCONNECT THE BATTERY

12-VOLT NEGATIVE GROUND INSTRUCTIONS

GENERAL INFORMATION

See our website (www.pertronix.com) for the latest product information. 1.

IMPORTANT: Read all instructions before starting installation.
WARNING!!! DO NOT USE WITH SOLID CORE IGNITION WIRES. 2.

The Ignitor III may not be compatible as a trigger for other electronic boxes.3.
The Ignitor III Rev-Limiter is preset at 5500 RPM’s. The Rev-Limiter can be user set 4.
to a minimum 4000 and a maximum 9000 RPM’s.
All external resistors must be removed to achieve optimum performance from the 5.
Ignitor III ignition system.

440 East Arrow Highway

San Dimas, CA 91773

909-599-5955

www.pertronix.com

IGNITOR III INSTALLATION

Note: A magnet sleeve is not required and the air gap between the face of the
module and the cam is not adjustable.

Remove cap and rotor from distributor. Do not disconnect spark plug wires from cap.1.
Examine cap and rotor for wear or damage. Replace as needed.2.
Remove the point wire, points, and condenser.3.
The Ignitor III does not require any modification to the distributor. Therefore the 4.
points, condenser and hardware can be used as backup.
Clean all dirt and excess oil from the breaker plate and point cam. 5.

Vacuum Advance Distributors Only: Remove small grommet from Ignitor III 6.
wires and install large grommet.

Insert the Ignitor III black and red wires through the distributor housing verifying the 7.
grommet is seated properly.
Install Ignitor III onto breaker plate opposite of condenser, use one screw hole from 8.
each point set to mount adapter plate. Make sure it sits flat without any modifica­tions and secure in place.

Non Vacuum advance Distributors: Some high profile breaker plate screws •
may prevent the module from sitting flat. Use the provided 8-32 X 5/8 screw
for added clearance.
Vacuum Advance Distributors Only: Ground wire must be reattached to the •
breaker plate to insure a good ground.

Remove the excess wire from inside the distributor housing by gently pulling the 9.
wire through the grommet. Check to insure that the wire does not interfere with any
moving parts. Non Vacuum advance Distributors: Use the provided cable clamp

to help route wires away from the distributor shaft.

Replace distributor cap and rotor. Make sure all spark plug wires are securely 10.
attached.

For Part Number: 71281D

04-090011-003004

Red Wire

Jumper Wire

Black Wire (Open)

REV-LIMITER SPECIFICATIONS

Settings RPM’S

Minimum 4000

Maximum 9000

Factory Setting 5500

WIRING INSTRUCTIONS

The Ignitor III can be used in conjunction with most ignition coils rated at 0.32

ohms or greater. For optimum performance we recommend our Flame-Thrower

III canister style or HC e-core coil.

Many vehicles came equipped with ballast resistors or resistance wires. To

achieve optimum performance we recommend removal of these components.

Determine the proper wire length, and attach the provided terminals. (Use a

wire crimping tool to achieve an adequate connection).

To remove a ballast resistor, (normally white ceramic blocks 3 to 4 •

inches long), disconnect all wires on both ends of the ballast resistor.

Remove the resistor from the vehicle and splice the disconnected wires

together at a single point.
To remove a resistance wire, trace the coil power wire, which was previ-•

ously connected to the positive coil terminal, back to the fuse block.

Bypass this wire with a 12-gauge copper stranded wire.

+

-

To Ignition

Figure 1

REV-LIMITER SETTING PROCEDURE

Remove distributor cap and rotor. 1.
Turn the ignition key to the ‘ON’ position. Do not try star ting the engine.2.
Turn the Rev-Limit dial clockwise until it stops. Turn the dial counterclockwise until it 3.
stops. A slow blinking of the LED indicates that the setting procedure has been initial­ized and that the Rev-Limit can be set.
Turning the dial clockwise sets the Rev-Limit. After turning the dial, pause and watch 4.
the LED for verification of the Rev-Limit setting. Long flashes indicate 1000 RPM’s
and short flashes indicate 100 RPM’s. For example, 6 long flashes followed by 2 short
flashes means the Rev-Limit is 6200 RPM’s. Continue turning the Rev-Limit dial until
the desired Rev-Limit is reached.

NOTE: Leaving the Rev-Limit dial in the full counterclockwise position disables

the Rev-Limiter.

Let the LED sequence thru at least three complete cycles. This verifies the correct set-5.
ting and prepares the unit for permanent storage of the Rev-Limit.
Turn the ignition key off, this signifies to the Ignitor III that the Rev-Limit procedure is 6.
complete. Note: The Ignition key MUST be turned off or the engine will not start.
Your rev limit is now set and will not change until you go through this procedure again. 7.
Re-install cap and rotor.8.

NOTE: Setting the rev limit may be done effectively and easily on a bench or table.
Connect the module to a 9-volt battery as shown in figure 2. Then follow the setting
procedure outlined above.

Switch

9 Volt

Battery

+

-

Figure 2

Attach the black Ignitor III 1.

wire to the negative coil

terminal. (See Figure 1)

Attach the red Ignitor III 2.

wire to the positive coil

terminal. (See Figure 1)

Reconnect battery and 3.

make sure all wires are

connected.

The engine can now be 4.

started. Let the engine

run for a few minutes and

then set the timing in the

conventional manner.

COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. The engine will not star t or runs rough. What is the problem?
A. Check all connections to insure that they are tight, and in the proper location. Visually check
and measure all grounds. Remove paint and corrosion from around the distributor hold down
bracket. Make sure that the Ignitor III red and black wires are connected properly. The Ignitor III
will shut down if the wires are incorrectly attached. The Ignitor III is designed to sense high current
levels. Check all wires for shorts, correct polarity and that the ignition coil’s primary resistance
level is acceptable. For more detailed information log on to www.pertronix.com or contact the tech­nical department at [phone].

Q. The vehicle will start, but then dies. After waiting, it starts. What is wrong?
A. The Ignitor III may have a “Low Voltage Problem.” If the voltage supplied to the red distributor
wire is insufficient, the system may run for a period of time, and then shut down as the voltage
drops due to engine heat. The period may vary from minutes to hours depending on available volt­age and wiring condition.

Q. How do I check for a “Low Voltage Problem” or determine if I am getting adequate voltage?
A. To quickly test for a “Low Voltage Problem” or for adequate voltage (Note: This is only a test
and is not intended as a permanent fix) attach a jumper wire from the positive battery termi­nal to the positive terminal of the coil. Try to start the vehicle. If the vehicle starts, low voltage is
present. Note: If the engine starts. The engine will not turn off unless the jumper wire is
removed from the positive battery terminal. Check connections and insure all external resistors
have being removed. For more detailed information on how to locate the source of the voltage
drop log on to www.pertronix.com or contact the technical department at [phone].

Q. How do I check my coil for primary resistance?
A. Remove all wires from the coil. Set the ohmmeter to the lowest scale. Attach one lead of the
meter to the positive coil terminal. Attach the other lead to the negative coil terminal. The Ignitor III
is compatible with coils having a resistance of 0.32 ohms or greater.

Q. May I modify the length of the wires?
A. Yes, you may cut the wires to any length your application requires. You may also add lengths of
wire if needed (20-gauge). Make sure that all wire splices are clean and that the connections are
tight and insulated.

Q. Will the Ignitor III work with aftermarket capacitive discharge boxes?
A. We recommend the Ignitor or Ignitor II as a trigger source for a capacitive discharge box.
For more detailed information log on to www.pertronix.com or contact the technical department at
[phone].

Q. Will the electronic shift assist in an OMC boat work with the Ignitor III?
A. The Ignitor III will work with all OMC ster n-drive applications, when our “diode fix” is used. If
you’ve purchased a kit that didn’t include the “diode fix” diagram, call our tech line.

Q. How can I receive additional help?
A. Check our web site for current trouble shooting tips and up to date technical information. Log on
to www.pertronix.com. You may also contact our tech line at [phone].

See Wiring Instructions.11.