Featured Questions
Take a look at the wide range of 123ignition products. First please compare the dimensions of the line drawings with your original distributor to be sure you have picked the right mechanical model. The following thing to check are the advance curves. The "Switch" version offers 16 pre-programmed advance curves listed in the curve table. When the advance curves doesn't match with your specific engine, probably the programmable 123TUNE or 123TUNE+ is the right choice for you. With the programmable units it is possible to program your own advance curve. Please be aware you have to find the original curve data yourself, 123ignition doesn't have curve data available.
Please click on the link for an extensive overview of our delivery times and shipping costs.
Of course we will try to help you out when no 'standard' 123ignition seems to be suitable. To be able to do so we ask you to send by e-mail (info@123ignitionshop.com) information on your currently used distributor: Brand, type, pictures (outside the engine, especially the shaft) and drawings with dimensions. First we will try to find out whether there perhaps after all is a 'standard' 123ignition. If not our fine mechanic can adapt a 123/TUNE (USB) or 123/TUNE+ (bluetooth) to fit the sizes of your current distributor. Please note: when your current distributor has a cogwheel we most probably will want to re-use this cogwheel. With the information in the technical books about your car you can program the advance curves into the 123TUNE(+) yourself. Or you can send this information to us and we will program the unit.
Please see our Facebook page for examples.
We have explained this in detail on this page:
The product name often consists of a combination of a number and several letters.
The first part indicates the type of distributor, so whether it is a switch, USB, or Bluetooth version. This is often followed by a number; this indicates for how many cylinders the distributor is suitable. Then there is an R or an A; this indicates whether the distributor cap is Straight or Angled. This is sometimes followed by a V, for vacuum advance. The letter that follows sometimes indicates the car make for which this distributor is suitable. Finally, we have distributors with IE on the end; these are suitable for injection.
NB; there are many exceptions, where one of the letters is missing from the name, or which have a special name. If you want to know whether an ignition is suitable for your application, look at the product description, specifications, and especially check the dimensions (these are often stated on one of the product photos).
Step 1. Turn off the ignition.
Step 2. Disconnect the Bluetooth connection from your phone or tablet.
Step 3. Disconnect the black wire from the negative of the coil, and connect it to the positive of the coil (where the red wire is also located).
Step 4. Now turn the ignition back on.
Step 5. A blue light should now be lit. It should stay on for at least 10 seconds. If not, start over from step 1.
Tip: The blue LED is not very bright; close your garage door and turn off the light to see it better.
Step 6. Turn off the ignition again and put the cable(s) back in their original position.
Step 7. The connection is now reset. You can reconnect with the password '1234'. Don't forget to change it in the app!
How it works:
An engine under heavy load will ping/knock sooner (lean mixture) than an engine under a light load (rich mixture). If we give more pre-ignition to an engine under light load, the efficiency will increase and as a result the engine will use less fuel.
The vacuum in the intake manifold is a measure of the load on the engine. (full throttle up the mountain = throttle valve open –> very little negative pressure. Half throttle down the mountain = throttle valve partially closed –> a lot of negative pressure/vacuum). This means that if a vacuum is created in the intake manifold, we can advance the ignition slightly.
Why do you want this:
In summary, by using vacuum advance we can reduce fuel consumption in partial load, the combustion will be cleaner and the efficiency will improve.
As an extra for the more advanced technician:
Altitude compensation: The 123ignition uses absolute pressure, (MAP or Manifold Absolute Pressure) to adjust the ignition timing. This compensates for thinner air (lower air pressure) at higher altitudes. The oxygen concentration per volume of air decreases with altitude, which results in a richer fuel mixture that takes longer to ignite. In these conditions, more pre-ignition is needed for optimal combustion.
Faq Sections
Take a look at the wide range of 123ignition products. First please compare the dimensions of the line drawings with your original distributor to be sure you have picked the right mechanical model. The following thing to check are the advance curves. The "Switch" version offers 16 pre-programmed advance curves listed in the curve table. When the advance curves doesn't match with your specific engine, probably the programmable 123TUNE or 123TUNE+ is the right choice for you. With the programmable units it is possible to program your own advance curve. Please be aware you have to find the original curve data yourself, 123ignition doesn't have curve data available.
Please click on the link for an extensive overview of our delivery times and shipping costs.
We ship to every country on this beautifull planet! Your order will generally be shipped within 1 working day after acceptance of the payment. The parcel is sent insured and with a track & trace service so you will know when to expect the delivery man at your doorstep. In case the ordered product is out of stock at the time of ordering, it will take an average of one week before we are able to have it shipped. From there on the delivery time is out of our controle and up to the delivery service. The delivery time within the Netherlands should be 1 - 2 working days. Within Europe you may count on 3 - 5 working days. All parcels sent outside Europe will be sent by air mail.
Of course we will try to help you out when no 'standard' 123ignition seems to be suitable. To be able to do so we ask you to send by e-mail (info@123ignitionshop.com) information on your currently used distributor: Brand, type, pictures (outside the engine, especially the shaft) and drawings with dimensions. First we will try to find out whether there perhaps after all is a 'standard' 123ignition. If not our fine mechanic can adapt a 123/TUNE (USB) or 123/TUNE+ (bluetooth) to fit the sizes of your current distributor. Please note: when your current distributor has a cogwheel we most probably will want to re-use this cogwheel. With the information in the technical books about your car you can program the advance curves into the 123TUNE(+) yourself. Or you can send this information to us and we will program the unit.
Please see our Facebook page for examples.
Attention point for the TUNE USB version: the connector for the plug is fragile.
In all other cases we recommend the TUNE + Bluetooth version. This has the great advantage that the curve is very easy to change using the app on your phone or tablet. Great if you want to regularly "play" with the curve because you are driving a rally, for example. But also if you have a modified motor or a motor for which no standard 123ignition with the correct pre-programmed curve is available. In those cases you can probably do well with a fixed curve. Even then you are well off with the Tune + bluetoot version, because via your telephone you can read all kinds of measurements from, for example, the speed and the engine temperature. Moreover, there is an anti-theft option on this version.
Attention point for the TUNE + Bluetooth version: the software is regularly updated, which means that the app also needs to be regularly updated
If you are familiar with installing old-fashion distributors it should be a piece of cake to install a 123ignition, just follow the step by step guide. When you are not experienced we advise you to search for a 123ignition dealer including workshop to install the unit.
We have explained this in detail on this page:
You cannot change your order once you have placed it. If you want to make a change to your order, you can cancel this order and place a new order. The payment for the canceled order will automatically be refunded to you.
The product name often consists of a combination of a number and several letters.
The first part indicates the type of distributor, so whether it is a switch, USB, or Bluetooth version. This is often followed by a number; this indicates for how many cylinders the distributor is suitable. Then there is an R or an A; this indicates whether the distributor cap is Straight or Angled. This is sometimes followed by a V, for vacuum advance. The letter that follows sometimes indicates the car make for which this distributor is suitable. Finally, we have distributors with IE on the end; these are suitable for injection.
NB; there are many exceptions, where one of the letters is missing from the name, or which have a special name. If you want to know whether an ignition is suitable for your application, look at the product description, specifications, and especially check the dimensions (these are often stated on one of the product photos).
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It is always possible to use your original HT-leads for the original look. Even when your engine has solid copper core cables it would work with a 123ignition. For the best performance we advise "carbon tension leads". These cables have a little resistance and very good isolation. Of course you can buy these leads at 123igntionshop.com. See here which sets we sell.
In some cases a very unstable boardnet voltage can cause misfires. The 123ignition is protected against high voltage peaks and goes in protection mode for a split second when a spike is detected. Most of the time this error occurs when the car battery is charged full again and the voltage regulator starts to work. This problem can be caused by a broken alternator / dynamo or bad voltage regulator. Unfortunately this is impossible to measure with just a standard voltage meter because we talk about high voltage spikes of micro seconds. You could easily test this to drive a while without working alternator / dynamo. Use a fully charged car battery and make sure no other important systems are driven by the dynamo belt, like the coolant pump!!!
The car battery has to put enough energy into the coil for a powerful spark. In the higher rpm range the time to do this is very short, so all conditions have to be perfect for good performance. Make sure you are using the right coil for your engine, see: "What kind of coil do you recommend?" Resistance somewhere in the primary circuit can cause a lot of ignition problems as well, think about the following: - Coil and ignition wiring: Use good connectors and cables of good quality - Ignition key: Make sure the dashboard ignition key is in good condition ( test to power the ignition/coil direct from the battery ) - Ground connection of the distributor: Make sure the distributor makes a good electrical connection with the engine.
Always use the spark plugs for your engine specified by the manufacturer of the car!
The app for the programmable 123TUNE+ is available for iOS and Android. Please make sure your device offers Bluetooth 4.0 low energy and an up-to-date operating system (Android 4.4 or newer)
The 123TUNE runs on Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista & Windows XP (Service Pack 2). Unfortunately there is no MacOS or Linux version available. Note: USB A ---> USB mini cable not included.
LED on: the 123/TUNE+ is ready for a connection
LED off: the 123/TUNE+ is connected
Flashing: the 123/TUNE+ must be reset
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