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Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 11:14 am
by jarlenfos
Hey all,
I am not really a car enthusiast, my thing is motorcycles, specifically early harleys.

Recently i needed to purchase a car to get to and from work as it wasn't practical to commute on the bike every day. I came across a 1985 N12 Pulsar with only 80,000k's on the clock. One owner old lady, she bought it new and only drove to the shops and back before she passed away. Picked it up for $800 and it's in almost new condition. I had to replace the struts and thermostat and flush the radiator and it's been sweet ever since.

Recently the car started losing spark intermittently. I would be driving along and it would just lose power all of a sudden, I'd switch the ignition off and back on and it would start up again. It got progressively more regular and then eventually died completely. Turns over fine but no spark at the plugs. Like the rookie I am i presumed it was points ignition so i purchased a new distributor cap, points, condenser and distributor button as well as plugs.

Quickly realised there was no points in the distributor so it must be electronic ignition. Any idea where the module would be located on that vehicle? If this is a problem anyone has experienced before any ideas on where to look first?

Finally, not that I am any sort of go fast type of guy but friends of mine had ET's when I was growing up and they were quick! What would be involved in converting mine over to turbo? Expensive process? I am a competent fabricator and reasonably mechanically minded so I'd try to do it myself if possible.

Thanks.

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 3:23 am
by boosted
Hey,
wow, your N12 sounds like a good find!
This sounds similar to the faulty CAS (cam angle sensor)problem, which the ECU-equipped N12s are experiencing now and then.
But I guess you have carburated engine and a TSZ-i style ignition right? Whats your engine code, E15S, E16i?

Cheers!
Martin

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 2:53 pm
by jarlenfos
Hey Martin,
The engine number just starts with E15. I really need to locate that ECU so I can check the connection.

Anyone know where the damn thing is hiding?

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:03 pm
by etking
Under the passenger seat

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:50 pm
by jarlenfos
It's definitely not under the passenger seat I've looked thoroughly.

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 1:15 am
by boosted
this sounds like the setup i mentioned before then. (no ecu-> carburetor, TSZ-i ignition)
Is there a vaccum advance actuator on your distributor?

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 8:48 am
by jarlenfos
Yep, there is. Are you still thinking it could be cam angle sensor? Is there any way to bench test the sensor. Where is it located usually?

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 2:00 pm
by jarlenfos
I called a local parts store to enquire about a cam position sensor for my model and he said his parts list says that model didn't have one? Does that sound right, he mentioned i should be looking at my ignition module to find the fault.

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 5:17 am
by boosted
yep, he is right, no ecu means no CAS.
I think you have the transistorized inductive ignition then. 4 toothed trigger wheel, right?

As far as I know these systems, there is no external module involved.
All the electronics sits in the distributor pickup module.
https://www.autozone.com/repairguides/N ... 52801ce106 (I haven't seen the version with the module on the outside of the dizzy before)

I can send you a schematic for the EUR-spec N12, but it is fairly simple:
12V positive goes from the ignition switch to the igntition coil and to the dizzy module.
One cable goes from the dizzy module to the ign. coil to switch it on/off like the breaker would do.

If all positive and earth connections and cables and the coil are in good working order, there is a chance the module in the dizzy is faulty.
But it should be available in the aftermarket at a fairly low price

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:29 am
by jarlenfos
Hey Martin,
Thanks for your help.

So I should technically be able to wire a hot lead straight from the battery to the positive terminal on the distributor to test the ignition pickup inside the distributor right? If the car runs then I'll know the problem is between the switch and the dist.

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 9:18 am
by jarlenfos
Okay, tried that last night, wire straight from battery to positive on coil but same result. I took the ignition module out of the distributor to try and test. Should there be resistance between the 2 terminals? I have no resistance anywhere on the module when testing.

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 9:16 am
by jarlenfos
She's running again! Was the pickup module in the distributor. Thanks for your help.

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:11 pm
by boosted
yeah! that is good to hear!
have fun driving the old girl ;-)

out of curiosity: how much did the module cost?

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:49 am
by jarlenfos
The module was $90 but I was cool with the price considering I didn't have to pay someone else to fix it up for me. Been driving to work again every day and she's running sweet.

Problems with my stock 1985 N12 Pulsar + potential turbo?

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 7:23 pm
by KiloooNL
jarlenfos wrote: Sun Jul 07, 2019 2:53 pmHey Martin,
The engine number just starts with E15. I really need to locate that ECU so I can check the connection.

Anyone know where the damn thing is hiding?
The stock ECU is 100% under the passenger seat, poorly installed under the seat mind you. If it isn't there then either A) it has been relocated (why I wonder) or B) it potentially has an aftermarket ECU.

The only other reason is you don't have an E15ET or e15 engine controlled by an ECU, have you got a carby? If so then likely no ECU.

The wiring for the ECU comes in under the glove box on passenger side. It is a thick loom, so you may have to trace the wires to see where it is hiding. They do have a diagnostics mode on them, which flashes LEDs in a particular sequence that will give you a code, this can sometimes be handy when trying to troubleshoot issues like this. Good work fixing the dizzy though! Vroom vroom.