1984 Datsun Nissan 200SX - Ignition Coil?

A number of makes and models at one point or another had the coil either encased under the Cap, next or around the rotor, and some have an integrated place in the cap that the coil is enclosed in. That's one place to look, Otherwise just follow the coil wire (typically the center contact) from the cap to wherever it is attached, 99% of the time it's connected to the coil.

the 200SX is (correct me if I'm wrong) a 4 cylinder single spark plug engine, so if there are only 4 wires on the cap, the coil is connected internally somehow, otherwise the 5th wire, the one not connected to a spark plug, should lead you to the coil.

best of luck.

-T

Thank you very much for the replies. :)

From what I can find, this is what you are looking for under the hood...

as long as the OEM coil is still in place, that is.

I would give some thought to replacing spark plug wires as well.

that model is as "funky" as they come.

It was called the NAPZ system, and had 2 spark plugs per cylinder(2 coils as well). both should fire when you crank it, then one only when it's running normally.

both the cap and rotor have multiple traces, like a 2 layer printed circuit board. Probably the rotor burned through, and is grounding to the distributor shaft. I've also seen the caps burn through.

caps look like this(the outer ring of posts go to the plugs, the inner 2 for the ignition coils), followed by the rotor:

I'd try the cap and rotor first, if it runs, then replace the ignition wires, probably the spark plugs could use replacement as well. (use antiseize on the plug threads)

You wouldn't happen to know which cylinder should be sparking at start, would you? I was pulling cables off of the cylinder plug and not the manifold plug.

I've replaced the wires, cap, rotor and coil and still nothing. It's getting to the time that I'm going to have to surrender and take it to a garage; I've done everything I can think to.

I noticed, though, that in addition to the eight plug cables and ignition coil cable there's a tenth wire that connects to what almost looks like another ignition coil. Is there any easy way to tell which coil (I assume that's the second coil) fires which set of plugs?

I personally have never thought much of twin plug engines.

As far as identifying the coils it should be as easy as watching one of the "intake" spark plug wires as well as an "exhaust" wire for spark while cranking, and then disconnecting one coil and seeing which wire ceases sparking. As far as my experience goes I've never seen an engine use a coil for both the early and late spark in a twin plug engine. So the above method should work.

Also one thing to check, which i doubt has happened is to make sure that
a) the coil wires did not get switched
b) none of the spark plug wires has gotten put on the wrong cylinder, or the wrong plug for that cylinder

Sounds like you may have replaced the wrong coil if you only replaced one, otherwise I think you have covered the ignition bases (barring actual distributor malfunction, which I would not wish on you with a mid 80's import) Good Luck!

-T

Edit: Just saw the post about NAPZ where the seperate plugs are intended for start up and running. So my "early" and "late" comments are not accurate (previous experience with Ford Ranger which timed them differently for "optimum" combustion I believe) also not sure on the nissan if the plugs are located on intake and exhaust sides of the combustion chamber, but it is the typical distinction between the two plugs on each cylinder.

	Ignition Coil Product Line: Echlin Ignition Per Car Qty.: 2 Select To Compare	ECH IC109	List Cost Unit : : : 93.57 46.99 Each
	Ignition Control Module Product Line: Echlin Ignition Comments: Intake Per Car Qty.: 1 Select To Compare	ECH TP315	List Cost Unit : : : 206.92 103.69 Each	0
	Ignition Control Module Product Line: Echlin Ignition Comments: Exhaust Per Car Qty.: 1 Select To Compare	ECH TP316	List Cost Unit : : : 216.00 108.39 Each	0
	Pick-Up Assy Product Line: Echlin Ignition Per Car Qty.: 1 Select To Compare	ECH MP418	List Cost Unit : : : 300.92 150.69 Each	0

There are 2 different engines available in that year. 1.8L & 2.0L. Both use a ignition control module mounted directly below the ignition coil. The coil should be easy to find. Follow the wire running from the center of the dist cap. The coil is at the other end. the above pics are for the 1.8 eng.

Before you lay out the long green for a coil, take a good look at the rotor and distributor cap. Look for signs of carbon arcing. Wet damp weather will allow a car to die if the cap or rotor has cracks. The system was very reliable, so you might get off easy. I don't see the dual plug distributer system listed for tour year, but you should be able to see that by looking at the dist. cap. I will try again to send pics of the NAPA listings for the 2.0 eng. Good luck.

These are the components for the 2.0 eng. As you can see, the coil on the 2.0 is an older design, compared to the 1.8L eng.

	Ignition Coil Product Line: Echlin Ignition Comments: Original Equipment Design Per Car Qty.: 2 Select To Compare	ECH IC12	List Cost Unit : : : 58.19 29.39 Each	1
	Ignition Coil Product Line: Echlin Ignition Comments: High Performance Per Car Qty.: 2 Select To Compare	ECH IC1600	List Cost Unit : : : 58.19 29.39 Each	0
	Ignition Coil - Epoxy Type Product Line: Echlin Ignition Comments: w/ Engine Code CA20E Per Car Qty.: 2 Select To Compare	ECH IC676	List Cost Unit : : : 75.71 37.99 Each	0
	Ignition Control Module Product Line: Echlin Ignition Per Car Qty.: 1 Select To Compare	ECH TP142	List Cost Unit : : : 442.97 221.99 Each	0
	Pick-Up Assy Product Line: Echlin Ignition Per Car Qty.: 1 Select To Compare	ECH MP421	List Cost Unit : : : 7.66 3.99 Each	0