Author Topic: Condenser Question  (Read 2915 times)

akessel56

  • Guest
Condenser Question
« on: July 12, 2014, 18:41:56 »
So here is the question, I was going to replace the condenser (condensor?).
The ones you get today have a wire that goes to the bottom of the battery from the (resistor part? - little black thing) and the other wire from the resistor goes to the condenser itself (the capacitor).

On my car the wire coming from the battery splits one is spliced to the wire that goes to the resistor and the other attaches to the screw that attaches the condenser to the distributor.

(see image)

Is the split wire really needed?  Anyone think its dangerous or of no importance and should be eliminated?

Thanks!

Andy

al_lieffring

  • Guest
Re: Condenser Question
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2014, 12:14:57 »
The TSZ electronic ignition on the 1970-on models had a condenser, though many thought that it didn't have a function. Often times the wire to the condensor wire was cut because there was a school of thought that the condenser might even reduce the life of the points.

Because the junction block for distributor lead was under the battery, it made it difficult to attach a dwell meter to set up new ignition points so many times there would be a bare spot in the wire where a mechanic cut back the insulation to check the dwell setting of the points.

In the 70's most people thought a "tune up" should cost less than $50 so taking the time to remove the battery to replace the entire condensor assembly were short cutted and the wire would be clipped and spliced together with a crimp connector.