[sc2dave]

if i hook up one of my jacobs omnimagnum to the stock wiring, it doesn't work. But, if i hook up a different coil instead of the stock one,and i hook up the jacobs omnimagnum to trigger off that other coil,the jacobs works.Why is that? this is on a 86 toyota 22r. I know there are different types of electronic dist's. Is this why?

[Rustydawg]

I'm trying to get my head around this. Are you saying that if you change to a different type of ignition coil (not pickup coil) that your Jacobs ignition box then works?

I'm not familiar with Jacobs stuff specifically, but I would expect an aftermarket box to trigger off a distributor pickup of some kind, and drive an ignition coil, either the factory one or whatever else you throw at it.

If you can clear up my confusion you will likely get help from others too, possibly someone else that is familiar with Jacobs Omnimagnum.

Perhaps this thread belongs under the electical heading.

[sc2dave]

I think you got it right.What i did first,was hook up a jacobs omimagnum like this,http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/reviews/...7/jacobs02.jpg to the stock ignition. it's a computer and coil in one.didn't work. I then took that setup off, and hooked up a spare jacobs coil that i also had,and replaced the stock ignition coil with it.Truck turned on like this. I then hooked up the omnimag to the jacobs coil and the omnimag was now used to run the truck and the bare jacobs coil was grounded, since it was not running the engine.I hope that's a little better.

[Rustydawg]

OK, that's got me cleared up.

I'm surprised that this Jacob's setup didn't trigger off the factory ignition coil, I can only assume that there isn't enough spark current out of it to 'set off' the Jacob's system.

You might try using different igntion coils in place of the factory one like you have been doing. Does the spark from the factory ignition setup appear to be healthy or is it a weak spark? Maybe it is in need of a new coil. If you have any means of testing it you may find it has gone soft on you, and simply replacing it will improve the ignition in general - without the Jacobs setup involved.

I would try to ensure that the coil you put in place of the factory one is compatible with the Toyota ignition amplifier (if this information is available) 'cause it would probably be expensive to replace.