Can you name this? I can't tell what it is, or it's purpose

  • Showaski39
    Showaski39
    Senior Member
    • 148
    #1

    Can you name this? I can't tell what it is, or it's purpose

    This wire has a little electrical device that looks like a big transistor, but I'm not 100% sure what it is. The wire has power before this thing, but after it there is no power. I'm wondering if it's gone bad, or if it's doing it's job by not allow power to flow beyond it.
  • G-E
    G-E
    Junior Member
    • 6320
    #2
    Noise suppression, belongs on the alternator but someone was being clever trying to clean up noise in the 12v line near the ptu or coil maybe?
  • easarcher
    easarcher
    Member
    • 96
    #3
    It is ignition noise suppression, yes. It is stock in that location, my Z has one there too.
    09 Lancer ES 5 speed
    86 Z31 VG33E(NA2)T.

    "I want it to sound like the pits of hell are going to engulf your face!"
  • Showaski39
    Showaski39
    Senior Member
    • 148
    #4
    Okay, so this noise supressor simply levels out noise? I've recently noticed hearing my car through the speakers as I accelerate (slightly).

    At the moment it's barely not getting any spark. When I check the small power wire at the distributor, there is no power there. I'm wondering if this supressor has gone bad, and preventing power from flowing to my distributor. Any thoughts? I've edited the picture above to give you a better idea of what's going on.
  • G-E
    G-E
    Junior Member
    • 6320
    #5
    Your alternator is the predominant source of "noise" which is why the suppressors are always bleeding off the noise at the alternator directly, the second largest culprit is the coil…

    But the suppressor is supposed to bleed to ground, it's not a pass-through for current
  • Showaski39
    Showaski39
    Senior Member
    • 148
    #6
    G-E;348321 wrote: Your alternator is the predominant source of "noise" which is why the suppressors are always bleeding off the noise at the alternator directly, the second largest culprit is the coil…

    But the suppressor is supposed to bleed to ground, it's not a pass-through for current
    You're right. I bypassed it, and it started blowing out my ENG Control fuse.

    Seems like the connector on the distributor is just a ground while the other side of this supressor is power.
  • Showaski39
    Showaski39
    Senior Member
    • 148
    #7
    and to correct what I said earlier about my car not getting spark, I think the exact opposite is happening now … no fuel

    I disconnected the coil wire going into the distributor and mated it with something that was metal in the engine bay, turned over the engine and I saw a pretty stong spark come out of the coil wire. Plus, the 4 pin connector that goes into the engine harness from the distributor is getting 4-5V on 2 of the 4 pins, and 11-12V on 1 of the 4 pins w/ the ignition switch in ON pos'.

    I pulled the plugs out, and their dry as if they just came out of the parts store for the first time. I'll have to check the injectors and fuel pump.