I have no spark with my 82 242 (Chrysler ignition)that I've narrowed down to the distributer pick up coil - it sparks when I short the 1 and 3 terminals in the plug but not with the pick up connected. I've checked the wiring between the plug and the sensor and it's good.
I'm stunned by the cost of the pick up coil, over $200. My question is can I replace the entire distributor with a Bosch unit from the junkyard. Will the Bosch fit and is it compatible with the Chrysler ICU. From other posts I gather that an '82 or '83 distributor would work - is that true? Do you think the Bosch unit is superior to the Chrysler?

Thanks for the help. I checked and the distributor plug does have the sleeves. I've rechecked the wiring and I have continuity from the plug to where the wires disappear near the sensor, there's no short between the wires. The resistance is in the megaohm range between the pins on the plug. The Haynes manual says it should be 1-2 kohm so I'm pretty sure the hall sensor coil is the culprit. I've looked at old posts and emailed Lucid and I think I can switch it for a Bosch distributor. I've found one for $50 - better than the $156 for the Chrysler Hall sensor. I suspect the Bosch is a better quality part.

A follow-up note - I exchanged the junkyard Bosch distributor for the Chrysler unit and it works. It had the round (not square) plug so I didn't have to splice wires. The timing was interesting. The #1 plug on the Bosch is located towards the front of the engine and The Chrysler #1 plug points towards the right side. Replacing the Bosch with the rotor pointed the same direction as the Chrysler didn't work. Had to move it back one tooth at a time until it lined up with the location of the #1 on the Bosch. There's no problem with compatibility with the electronic control unit.

I suspect the Bosch is a better quality part.

I would second this opinion. If nothing else, it will be easier to maintain.

In 83, sometime in the production year, Volvo started using the Bosch distributor in place of the white cap Chrysler. Still, it is the same V/C ignition system used through 88, but no more white cap. The 83 Bosch units had the round plug that would make it a simple swap for you. In 84, they changed the 3-pin plug to the in-line version, which would require you to do some wire patching or replace the ignition primary harness.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Since bread is square, why is sandwich meat round?

Hello,

Before you go ahead and change out the distributor check to make sure the distributor connector has had guide sleeves added. The Volvo green book shows sleeves (Volvo Part# 1 324 909-9) placed on all three pins. They are pressed over the existing pins with a little die-electric grease. In addition these pins were placed on the ICU pin #s 3.5and9 as part of the up-grade. This could be the cause of the bad connection on the distributor.

Mario
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82 242 DL-MPG

Looks like Rock Auto has one for $156.99. That's not much better though. Theirs has an AC Delco part number so perhaps you could use that to shop around for a better price.

The question of replacing with a Bosch came up recently. Search here and you may find it.

Good Luck,
Will
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854 - 244 - Mini