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Fri Nov 28, 2003 9:37 am

posted on here a few days ago about not getting any spark to the coil on my 78. 2.0 fi for those of you who dont already know. ive got 12 volts to the coil. and did the test where you put on end of a test light on the negative side of the coil and then ground the other side and turn the engine over and its supposed to blink if somthings working, not sure what that test is supposed to tell you i forgot but it does not blink. any and all ideas onthis subjedt would be wonderful and welcomed i need to get my vw back on the road. love in jesus.

justin

Fri Nov 28, 2003 4:19 pm

im not quite sure what test you are talking about.....sounds to me that you are not getting power into your coil???? that would mean battery problems if im not mistaken.....here is what i do when the old bus dont go.......listen, is it trying to turn over? no? get under the bus and check starter wired and maybe bang on the starter..... does try to turn ( goes rururururururur) check battery conection may have currosion or something...... i'm a big believer in regular tune ups......change all your spark plugs, and wires..... i just swaped out blue coils for kicks too. put a new one in and hold onto the old one as your back up...... change your points???? distributer cap.................good luck

Fri Nov 28, 2003 9:08 pm

flat4freak1978 wrote:
ive got 12 volts to the coil.but it does not blink.
justin

If you have voltage to the coil then we need to find out what is not completing the circuit. If your car is a '78, you should have breaker points no? Take off the distributor cap and look. Those points have to open and close as the distributor shaft turns. The test light on your negative terminal of the coil, the #1 terminal, should light when the points are closed and go off when the points open. Take the coil wire off the cap and ground it, turn the engine over by hand with the ignition on and look. Adjust your points to .016 at the top of the breaker cam, make sure they are clean, put the cap on and the engine had better start right up.
Colin

Tue Dec 02, 2003 7:35 am

no points. ive got a rotor button in the distributor. there is voltage to the coil but no spark. and its a new coil. had it on for a week or 2 then it quit. thanks.

justin anything else?

Tue Dec 02, 2003 5:33 pm

1) I think I would take that coil down to the FLAPS and see if they can test it to see if it is any good or not. I think if it (voltage) goes in, it must come out. If you have to get another one, get that blue bosch coil that everyone seems to use. They are about $20 or so.

2) Are you saying by "no points" that you have some sort of electronic ignition in this bus? A petronics? That would be good unless it is cooked which happens if you hook them up incorrectly.

I would do #1 first. If that didn't fix it I would take it somewhere that could test the ignition system #2 to see what the problem is and before I spent $70 for a new ignition system.

You better get this running before it becomes a lawn ornament again!