Featured Questions

Is there a 123ignition for my specific engine available?

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.


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How much are the shipping costs?

Please click on the link for an extensive overview of our delivery times and shipping costs.


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What to do when no 123ignition is suitable for my car, boat or other vehicle?

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.


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How do I set the curve for the Tune ignitions?

We have explained this in detail on this page:

click here


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Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting on new installation

Troubleshooting an ignition that has worked


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What do the letters in the product name mean?

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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I am experiencing problems with the Bluetooth connection. What now? [video]

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!


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Timing of the spark [video]


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Installation sparkplug leads [video]


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Check installation 123ignition [video]


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How does the vacuum advance work (and why do I want that)?

How it works:

When much is required of the engine, it is more likely to ping (poor mixture) than if the engine is running effortless (rich mixture). If we give more pre-ignition to an effortless running engine, the efficiency will increase and the engine will use less fuel.

The vacuum in the intake manifold is a measure of the load on the engine. (floor it up the mountain = gas valve open -> little underpressure. Cruising down the mountain = gas valve partially closed -> a lot of under pressure/vacuum). This means that if there is a vacuum in the intake manifold, we can advance the ignition a little.

Why you'd want this:

In summary: through the use of vacuum advance we can decrease the fuel consumption, the combustion will be cleaner and the efficiency will improve.


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Faq Sections

General questions
Is there a 123ignition for my specific engine available?

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.


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How much are the shipping costs?

Please click on the link for an extensive overview of our delivery times and shipping costs.


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When can I expect my order to arrive?

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.  


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What to do when no 123ignition is suitable for my car, boat or other vehicle?

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.


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When do I choose the TUNE USB version and when the TUNE + Bluetooth version?
If your car runs on 2 types of fuel (usually gasoline and gas), the TUNE USB version is recommended. With this version you can easily switch between two curves: curve 1 is the standard to which the yellow wire is not connected and for curve 2 you connect the yellow wire. You can, for example, install this in such a way that the contacting of the yellow wire with the distributor is controlled via a switch in the dashboard.
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

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Can I install a 123ignition myself?

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.


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How do I set the curve for the Tune ignitions?

We have explained this in detail on this page:

click here


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Can I change my order?

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.


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Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting on new installation

Troubleshooting an ignition that has worked


Are you satisfied with this article? Usefulness of the article: 4 / 0

What do the letters in the product name mean?

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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Technical Questions
Which type of HT leads do I need to use with 123ignition?

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.


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Which coil to use with the 123ignition unit?

Which ignition coil is best to use with your 123ignition strongly depends on which engine you have:

- With a Citroen 2cv: DO NOT use other ignition coils than the standard (black) ignition coil. The manufacturer recommends that you immediately purchase a new black 2CV ignition coil and new silicone ignition cables with your new 123ignition. The brown VISA coil will damage your 123ignition due to the very low primary resistance.

- With the 2 cylinder DAF or FIAT engines you can continue to use the used ignition coil or another coil with approximately 3 Ohm primary resistance. We recommend the 123 Blue Coil. With 4 cylinder engines you can use the original coil or another coil with a primary resistance of at least 1.0 Ohm. For normally used cars we advise you to use the 123 Blue Coil. It may be better to use a 123 Red Coil for a rally car or other application where high revs are often driven. However, this last coil cannot be used if you want to drive with contact points.

- For 6-cylinder engines, we recommend that you replace your ignition coil with a so-called 'high performance' ignition coil because of the short charging time at higher speeds. Make sure that the ignition coil has a primary resistance of at least 1.0 Ohm (or more). We recommend using a 123 Red Coil.

- With 8 cylinder engines, we also recommend that you use a 'high performance' ignition coil in connection with the short charging time at the higher speeds. With an 8 cylinder it is important that the ignition coil has a primary resistance of at least 0.6 Ohm (or more). We recommend that you use a special ignition coil for the V8.

The manufacturer has pointed out to us that there are many complaints about fake "Lucas Sport" or "Lucas gold" ignition coils, so we do not recommend using them.


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It looks like, after a few kilometers/ miles driving, the engine misfires. What to do?

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!!!


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It looks like my engine misfires in the high rpm range, what can cause this problem?

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.


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What kind of sparkplugs do you recommend?

Always use the spark plugs for your engine specified by the manufacturer of the car!


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What kind of tablet or smartphone do I need for the programmable 123/TUNE+?

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)


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What PC operating system does the programmable 123/TUNE (USB) run on? 

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.


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Combination Tune+ Bleutooth and Android 7.0

With Android phones, the android operating system is often adjusted by the manufacturer so that this works well for this particular phone. It turns out that the combination of Low power Bleutooth and Android 7.0 does not always work well, which of course we find very annoying. If it affects you, you really have nothing left but to wait for a software update from your telephone manufacturer. We do not know which phones are going well and which are not.
- Works with Android 7.0: Doogee S60
- Does not work with Android 7.0: Motorola MotoG5


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Will my tachometer (RPM) work with the 123ignition?

Yes, by far most of the tachometers work in combination with a 123ignition. RVI type tachometers manufactured by the Smiths Company, will need to be connected differently. The red wire must be connected to the switched plus of the ignition switch instead of the ignition coil.

The reason: the current passing through the ignition coil, to create a spark, is measured by the RVI tachometer. It is the current for the computer in the 123 ignition that runs through the tachometer that is causing the wrong indication.


Solution: The power needed to run the computer in the 123 ignition will no longer pass through the tachometer if you connect the red wire (positive) of the 123 ignition to a directly switched positive.


How: this switched positive can be found with a test light by, for example, measuring the fuses and switching the ignition on and off.

If you have another type of tachometer that responds '' wild '', it is best to put a diode (1N4007) in series with the tachometer. Note, the line on the diode must point to the tachometer.


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Timing of the spark [video]


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