New Truck..Few questions!

[XDAC]

Just purchased a 81 720 with the sd22 in it. I'm not new to diesels as i drive a 04 cummins and know the basis's of the older 12valve injection system and have an idea on how they work.

Basically, I'm after a few tips and pointers on performance( i know there isn't much!) and maintenance on these engines. I have no complains about it, its really fun to drive, and I'm sure it will last me. There is a small drip or two on the driveway and on top of the engine...The guy i bought it from said a valve cover gasket but he wasn't sure. Anyway, I took a few pictures of the engine bay. Let me know how it looks!

A few questions..My ignition switch is bad. Sometimes they key wont turn, or it turns real hard and im afraid of breaking the key off. Sometimes it will just bump the starter, but after a few times it always starts. What about buying a whole new ignition switch? Good or bad idea?

The truck has 150k miles on it.



The cable goes to a thing in the cab to turn off the engine. Have been reading up on the DPC/IP controller and i guess it puts it in the OFF position.



What is this plug to? Its on the passenger side by window washer fluid.





Here is the leaks. Nothing major, just caught my eye. Seems to pool on top in a hole.

[dn29626]

The plugs shown in the third and fourth pictures are for the IPC and DPC (as you already referred to). That cable in the second picture gets around having to use those electronic controls. Because you have the cable, i am guessing those electronics have gone bad.
Both of my trucks have cables to shut the engine off. The cable allows the injector pump to be in either run or off.

Ignition switch. To temporarily get around the key problem, remove the base of the switch from the tumbler (a screw might be involved). Any slim key will be able to start it (even a screw driver, remember i said temporary) . One of my trucks is this way until i can find good repair parts.

I will check back with you soon.

[XDAC]

The plugs shown in the third and fourth pictures are for the IPC and DPC (as you already referred to). That cable in the second picture gets around having to use those electronic controls. Because you have the cable, i am guessing those electronics have gone bad.
Both of my trucks have cables to shut the engine off. The cable allows the injector pump to be in either run or off.

Ignition switch. To temporarily get around the key problem, remove the base of the switch from the tumbler (a screw might be involved). Any slim key will be able to start it (even a screw driver, remember i said temporary) . One of my trucks is this way until i can find good repair parts.

I will check back with you soon.

I took the ignition off, went to Checker and Napa. They order me a 81 datsun 720 ignition but its not even close to the one i have. They found one for an 83 truck that looks like mine, but they wanted 177 bucks. Forget that! id run a toggle switch for that price. Went to Napa and they took the time to try and take it apart to get the tumbler out. Couldn't get it out but found out that the electrical part of the ignition, where the electrical connection goes, is the piece that is hard to turn. Ordered a new one for 30 bucks. We'll see if that fixes it. Would that fix it so i don't have to use the cable to turn the truck off?

[XDAC]

The plugs shown in the third and fourth pictures are for the IPC and DPC (as you already referred to). That cable in the second picture gets around having to use those electronic controls. Because you have the cable, i am guessing those electronics have gone bad.
Both of my trucks have cables to shut the engine off. The cable allows the injector pump to be in either run or off.

Ignition switch. To temporarily get around the key problem, remove the base of the switch from the tumbler (a screw might be involved). Any slim key will be able to start it (even a screw driver, remember i said temporary) . One of my trucks is this way until i can find good repair parts.

I will check back with you soon.

I took the ignition off, went to Checker and Napa. They order me a 81 datsun 720 ignition but its not even close to the one i have. They found one for an 83 truck that looks like mine, but they wanted 177 bucks. Forget that! id run a toggle switch for that price. Went to Napa and they took the time to try and take it apart to get the tumbler out. Couldn't get it out but found out that the electrical part of the ignition, where the electrical connection goes, is the piece that is hard to turn. Ordered a new one for 30 bucks. We'll see if that fixes it. Would that fix it so i don't have to use the cable to turn the truck off?

[dn29626]

I took the ignition off, went to Checker and Napa. They order me a 81 datsun 720 ignition but its not even close to the one i have. They found one for an 83 truck that looks like mine, but they wanted 177 bucks. Forget that! id run a toggle switch for that price. Went to Napa and they took the time to try and take it apart to get the tumbler out. Couldn't get it out but found out that the electrical part of the ignition, where the electrical connection goes, is the piece that is hard to turn. Ordered a new one for 30 bucks. We'll see if that fixes it. Would that fix it so i don't have to use the cable to turn the truck off?

I am jealous. I wish my issue was the electrical part-the cheap part.
To eliminate the cable the DPC and IPC must function correctly, yours are not even connected.

[XDAC]

Is it possible to hook up a toggle switch to manually move the actuator to off/run/start position?

[charmalu]

I have a choke cable connected the the fuel shut off lever on the injection pump also. it has been on there for the past 20 yrs. works every time, all the time. nothing electrical to decide to go south. I installed it when one day the engine kept trying to almost start. I pulled off the rod, and she started right up. I sure wasn`t going to pay what Nissan wanted for a new part. It never gives me a problem with starting the engine. I know the FSM shows a start/run and off position for the lever.

I had trouble with either the ignition switch or the starter solinoid. I replaced the solinoid, and still had the problem. so replaced the key switch with a toggle switch and a starter button. I have the button where the ign switch was. works every time also.

I use to drive dump trucks and other diesel equipment. some of the older equipment had a manual shutoff, and always worked. had some of the electric shutoffs malfunction a few times.


Charlie

[asavage]

Is it possible to hook up a toggle switch to manually move the actuator to off/run/start position?

Yes. See the pic and the blue lines in this post. You need a three-position rotary switch to do the job, not a simple toggle switch.

The IPC motors rarely go bad, from my experience. You can test them using the chart in that picture (power to 14, jumper 12-13, tap power to 9,10,11). I have several IPC motors, including one brand-new one, for sale.

The DPC Module loses its relay contacts, but the relay can be replaced if you have the skill for PCB solder work.