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Omix Ada Distributor Problems

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 53A1, Dec 27, 2010.

  1. 53A1

    53A1 Member

    Just a heads up for anyone thinking of buying one of these.

    I aquired a brand new one in the box with a jeep purchase. I got maybe 50-60 starts out of it then it slowly crapped out. Put the point distributor back in and it runs like a champ again.

    Anyone else have trouble with these? I wouldn't take it on the trail with one of these. Something to be said about simplicity.
     
  2. Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    guess your running the 4 banger? What brand of distributor does Omix-Ada sell (the one you bought). As a rule on electronic stuff there is no "slowly" degeneration. It is either working or not. There may be other issues involved. Would like to get some more info on this so which one did you buy?
     
  3. EricM

    EricM Active Member

    As a point of reference, I have an electronic one from Walck's, it's probably an Omix-Ada, it's been working fine for the past 3 years.
     
  4. 53A1

    53A1 Member

    It's for a F-134 and it did go out slowly. The spark got weak and became hard to start then finally didn't start at all. Check the spark and it was finally gone.

    To fix I just installed a point distributor, added a ballast resistor to the positive side of coil and hooked the neg wire from dist to coil and everything was fixed and it started first crank.

    I'm not going to try to figure out what went wrong with it until I hear from members that run these. If others have had success then I may try to order a new control unit and give it another chance. I'm not quick to blame the product and at this point I'm just trying to see if there is a trend - good or bad.


    Here is what I have...


    http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52448&highlight=omix+ada+distributor

    The jeep is a restoration and I wired it just enough to start the engine so I don't see any room for other problems. The only thing I can think of is I didn't use a ballast resistor with it but that would be silly for them to require that.
     
  5. EricM

    EricM Active Member

    Mine did not need a ballast resistor.
     
  6. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Eric, he added the ballast resistor to the original point system, not the electronic distributor.

    And in reply to Walt's post, some electronics DO go out slowly. Ignition coils, for example deteriorate over time and can run perfectly with a cold engine and then slowly fade out as they get warmer.

    I did have one of the Omix-ADA distributors in my L-head for a while, but at the time there were no replacement parts available for them at the time. That scared me away from them, and I located an NOS Autolite unit and installed a Pertronix setup. With that said, I do carry a spare Pertronix in the trail spares under the passenger seat. ;)

    There are spare modules available for the Omix-ADA distributors now, they run about $60 bux.
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2010
  7. Jw60

    Jw60 That guy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    It seems to be hit or miss, thay can fry if you leave the ignition on but my 2nd fried driving 55mph on the highway, luckily some friends drove by and i got a ride home. this is my solution, http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74576 one nice thing is you can pull the guts out of a points distributor and put them in the electronic case with a pair of screwdrivers and a wrench.

    http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81179
    http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73514
     
  8. 53A1

    53A1 Member

    Thanks for the info.

    60 bucks for a module - Yikes! I think I'm going to ditch the Omix.
     
  9. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    $60 is still cheaper than a Pertronix, and you already have the distributor!

    IMHO just about any electronic-type distributor is superior to a point-type ignition setup.

    Electronic will start easier, have less overall maintenance and it will idle & run smoother. Unless you are going for a correct restoration, electronic ignition in one form or another is the way to go!
     
  10. Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Do these modules install with a heat conducting gel to protect it from overheating? The original 6 volt systems didn't use a ballast resistor until they were modified to 12V at which time the ballast was installed with a 12V coil for use with external resistor OR no ballast with a coil with built in resistor.
     
  11. vicrider2000

    vicrider2000 New Member

    I just put one in not to long ago, no miles on it yet .but the instruction that came with it said to put a ballast resistor in the wireing
     
  12. ziv

    ziv Member

    I installed Omix Ada Distr. about 3 month ago. No problems so far ...
    Any way the 2 wires are very cheap so i put an insulation around them to protect from engine heat.

    Ziv
     
  13. sf38a1

    sf38a1 New Member

    Installed a Omix electronic Dist. about 2 years ago . have hardly use the jeep. Went to start it and no go. It cranked but no spark. Ordered a new module, replace , no spark. Removed the pick up coil , dropped it ,reinstalled it, jeep started up. have spark . that was Friday. This morning I went to start the engine, same thing no spark ....no go ....Just ordered a point style dist. to put back in . done with the electronics .
     
  14. alpina72

    alpina72 Member

    I picked up a Cardone for my 78
    The quality was so bad I didn't even bother installing it.