More Starting Problems

Fisherleep · Sep 18, 2004

I got the engine turning over now, but we are still not getting any spark. The coil is getting power on both sides. Is this correct? Know any good ways to track this down? There is no spark coming out of the coil to the distributor. I have a new coil and distributor. Any suggestions. Thanks in advance. :huh:

Seabronc · Sep 19, 2004

Well, I don't have a diagram of your ignition system, and not sure what the distributor side looks like. However, basically you need 12V on the + side of the coil and then, (if i'm correct, you have points), the points make and break the ground side. If the points are open you will read 12V on both sides of the coil, (with the key in run of course), since it is not grounded.

This assumes your new coil is good. If you have points, remove the rotor, bump the motor untill the points make. Hook a spare plug to the coil wire and have someone hold it against the block. Then manually break the points with the tip of a screwdriver. You should get a spark each time you make then break the points. If you don't, some thing is probably wrong with the ground side of the points.

I'm sure that there issomeone in the forum that knows or has a schematic of your ignition. If you happen to have a Duraspark system I wil post a detailed proceedure from my 83 EVTM.

Good luck,

>-

BigNasty · Sep 19, 2004

QUOTE The coil is getting power on both sides. Is this correct?

Both sides as in both sides of the coil are wired hot?
That itself would be a problem.
One should be a ground. Are you reading the 12vdc with a meter on the two wires on the coil? If so, you will read 12 vdc normally, just be sure the positive is on the positive side of the coil. If both are hot when reading on both wires at the same time, the meter will read zero. (bad)
If you are using a meter and putting the negative lead on a known ground, such as the block and getting 12 vdc on BOTH sides of the coil.. then it is deffinitely in need of rewiring.
If one reads 12 vdc and the other reads zero, then good

just be sure they are on their proper terminals.