[DeTomaso] Ignition Coil Connector and Wiring Check

[Craig Campman]

Hello Pantera Experts,

I have a 1973 that has developed an intermittent shutdown of the ignition system while driving. The car would restart after several cranking attempts and then run for various amounts of time (30 secs to 15+ minutes) before quitting again. The problem developed during a 45 min pleasure drive. I suspected the unilite module in the mallory distributor, so changed it to a new one. Started the car, warmed it up, and ran it at 3K in the garage. While running at 3000 rpm I felt several instances of ignition cutout just like the situation on my previous long drive. I now suspect a short from an errant wire, or intermittent ignition switch contact, or failing coil or ballast resistor. Prior to this recent problem the car ran great for years and on longer trips.

I have disconnected the wiring in the engine compartment and removed the coil and ballast resistor. When preparing to disconnect the coil to replace it I found jury-rigged connections using tape covered spades to connect to the existing connector on the wiring loom. I have attached a photo (IMG-9306.jpg) of the previous wiring around the coil. Now that I have everything disconnected, I want to put it back together properly with good wiring practice. I have ordered the proper mating connector to attach to the loom connector.

I have two questions for the crowd:

1. Any other suggestions of what else to check related to the intermittent cutout of the ignition system while running?

2. The attached photo (IMG-9633.jpg) of the loom connector shows the following existing wiring: a blue w/black tracer wire and a lighter blue wire tied together to one side of the connector, and a red wire and orange wire tied together on the other side of the connector. Does this look correct compared to other 73 pantera ignition connector wiring examples?

I plan to remove and clean the ignition switch, as well as ring out the wiring from the steering column to the ignition connector before installing a new coil and related wiring in the engine bay.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Regards,
Craig
Vista, CA
Red 1973 - #5303



-------------- next part --------------
   Hello Pantera Experts,

   I have a 1973 that has developed an intermittent shutdown of the
   ignition system while driving. The car would restart after several
   cranking attempts and then run for various amounts of time (30 secs to
   15+ minutes) before quitting again. The problem developed during a 45
   min pleasure drive. I suspected the unilite module in the mallory
   distributor, so changed it to a new one. Started the car, warmed it up,
   and ran it at 3K in the garage. While running at 3000 rpm I felt
   several instances of ignition cutout just like the situation on my
   previous long drive. I now suspect a short from an errant wire, or
   intermittent ignition switch contact, or failing coil or ballast
   resistor. Prior to this recent problem the car ran great for years and
   on longer trips.

   I have disconnected the wiring in the engine compartment and removed
   the coil and ballast resistor. When preparing to disconnect the coil to
   replace it I found jury-rigged connections using tape covered spades to
   connect to the existing connector on the wiring loom. I have attached a
   photo (IMG-9306.jpg) of the previous wiring around the coil. Now that I
   have everything disconnected, I want to put it back together properly
   with good wiring practice. I have ordered the proper mating connector
   to attach to the loom connector.

   I have two questions for the crowd:

   1. Any other suggestions of what else to check related to the
   intermittent cutout of the ignition system while running?

   2. The attached photo (IMG-9633.jpg) of the loom connector shows the
   following existing wiring: a blue w/black tracer wire and a lighter
   blue wire tied together to one side of the connector, and a red wire
   and orange wire tied together on the other side of the connector. Does
   this look correct compared to other 73 pantera ignition connector
   wiring examples?

   I plan to remove and clean the ignition switch, as well as ring out the
   wiring from the steering column to the ignition connector before
   installing a new coil and related wiring in the engine bay.

   Thanks in advance for any feedback.

   Regards,

   Craig

   Vista, CA

   Red 1973 - #5303

   [cid:D291DC6A-038F-4CBE-A011-104D4BDAF61B at san.rr.com]

   [cid:651D6CAC-20D4-44B4-862D-6E871062AD7E at san.rr.com]
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: IMG-9306.jpeg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 303161 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://server.detomasolist.com/pipermail/detomaso/attachments/20200730/d5357b09/attachment.jpeg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: IMG-9633.jpeg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 351977 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://server.detomasolist.com/pipermail/detomaso/attachments/20200730/d5357b09/attachment-0001.jpeg>