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Subaru Sambar Distributor Upgrade

Discussion in 'Tips and Tricks' started by Austin Johanningsmeier, Dec 27, 2024.

  1. Recently I found that I needed to replace the distributor on my 1991 Subaru Sambar. The problem I ran into was that the part number I needed, 22100-KA522, is out of stock everywhere. This is the 'points' style distributor, which appears to only be on a few model years in the early 90s trucks.
    The 'hall effect' style of the distributor is much more readily available, like part 22100-KA613.
    The only difference as far as inputs/outputs is that the points style needs one wire, (https://imgur.com/4xx0NeH) while the hall-effect style needs two(https://imgur.com/b5H8RJn).
    The first, is the same wire, yellow, I believe to be the ground.
    The second wire it needs is 12v (only needed when running, so ideally ignition)
    There is an ignition wire conveniently available nearby. On my truck specifically, the BlackRed coming from the resistor. If you don't have the resistor, the BlackWhite will work.
    Here is what that looks like in the English wiring diagram
    https://imgur.com/2wsG9pe
    The red square highlights the resistor and the two wires that can be tapped.

    I purchased a used 22100-KA613 which came with the male connector and a few inches of wire pigtailed off.
    I wanted to make the mod backwards compatible, so I could seamlessly plug in the old part number, if I wanted to for whatever reason. To do this, I made a small adapter, this is not necessary.
    I cut the female connector off of the old distributor and connected it to pigtail on the new two wire male connector
    https://imgur.com/oGJyJNe
    If you don't care about being able to go back to the old style, then you can just cut the male connector from the old distributor connection and solder the that wire to the yellow wire on the new pigtail.
    I then added wire length to the other wire on the pigtail
    https://imgur.com/7qCOJwU

    To connect the second wire to the ignition, I used one of these (https://imgur.com/G4RfcMx), packed with lots of dielectric grease.

    This is what is looks like hooked up
    https://imgur.com/bydJuhL

    Red square shows the added connection to ignition
    Yellow square shows the connection on the truck harness to the old female connector
    Blue square shows the connection of both wires into the new distributor

    Hopefully this helps anyone like me, wanting to replace their points distributor
     

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