Nissan: 91 Pathfinder ignition question

Can anyome tell me what kind of device is used on this vehicle to send a signal to the ignition
module switching transistor? On my 87 Dodge Dakota, a Hall-effect pickup is used. I would be
outside right now tearing into the distributor to find out, but it is raining like hell right
now here in sunny California and the Pathfinder is parked on the street, so I am trying to get
up to speed on it. It's a friend's car. He has an appointment for tomorrow to take it to his
regular mechanic to get a leaking water pump replaced when it died suddenly near his place two
days ago. He had it towed home and there it sits.

There is no spark from the coil. I disconnected the + and - wires that connect to the primary
winding and checked them with a volt meter while the engine was cranked and got a DC reading of
about 10 volts. I was expecting to see a fluctuating needle as the transistor in the ignition
module switched on and off, so I figure it must be the ignition module or the device in the
distributor that sends a signal to it.

Cajn anyone confirm that I am on the right trail?

Thanks
Jack

It's not my car. I am happy because I found the cause of the problem, which was my friend wanted
from me. I suppose he would be happy if I fixed it, too, and I can do that, but I am a carpenter
and would rather make my money that way.

Steve wrote: