67 Beetle will turn over but not start

[Cantfigureitout03]

And I was using ether to try to get it going.

[bcferrini]

pulling the central wire won't tell you much. Need to pull a spark plug wire at the spark plug end. Better yet, remove a plug and with wire attached, hold it close to intake (with pliers). You should see it spark. Or not.....
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" I measured twice, cut three times, and it's still too short!"

[67rustavenger]

Get yourself a 12v test light and see if there is power to the #15 coil connection with the ignition key in the run position.
If you have no power the + side of the coil, it will not start.

Also, your generator needs to be clocked 90° clockwise. Other wise it is not cooling properly, as it is right now.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas!

[Cantfigureitout03]

Would a multimeter tell you the same thing as a light?

I don't have a test light but I do have a multimeter I can use.

Wouldn't the center wire be at the same voltage as the wires going to the spark plugs?

And I will rotate the generator over, does it matter which 90 degrees? Clockwise or counterclockwise?

[Cantfigureitout03]

Would a multimeter tell you the same thing as a light?

I don't have a test light but I do have a multimeter I can use.

Wouldn't the center wire be at the same voltage as the wires going to the spark plugs?

And I will rotate the generator over, does it matter which 90 degrees? Clockwise or counterclockwise?

[OldSchoolVW's]

[67rustavenger]

[Cantfigureitout03]

Definitely getting voltage to the ignition coil. Can't get a spark to happen, took the wire that goes to one of the spark plugs and connected a new spark plug and held to ground. Never saw a spark happen.

[Cantfigureitout03]

This is where I put the multimeter to check for voltage. Got 12 volts going from the positive side of the coil to the air intake.

Also, rotated the engine around until the contactor? was separated and checked for continuity with the contacts. I was getting continuity with the contactor separated. I checked the resistance of the primary and secondary coil and got about 4 ohms on the primary and maybe 5000 on the secondary. It matched the value of the previous coil.

The top half of the distributer is new.

Have replaced the the coil, condenser on the distributer, the distributer cap and the rotor.

Just can't seem to get a spark to develop. Battery voltage is also good at 12 volts.

[viiking]

With the ignition on and with a screwdriver can you get sparking at the points when you short out between the two sides of the points?

Is the carbon pin on the distributor cap in place?
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[bcferrini]

Been a long time, but I think there is a specific way to install the points to prevent voltage from escaping through the attachment point....

If not, then I just woke up and haven't had coffee yet.....
_________________
" I measured twice, cut three times, and it's still too short!"

[Cantfigureitout03]

I did not try sticking a screw driver between the points. You are talking about putting a screw driver right where I drew the arrows correct?

The distributer cap does have a metal piece right in the middle. Its brand new and looks to be in good condition.

We tried getting a spark from the wire from the ignition coil and with everything hooked up and taking a wire from one of the spark plugs and turned the engine over and no spark.

Bcferrini, if you are talking about the hold down clips those were all buttoned up during our tests. You talking about something else?

[mukluk]

[Cantfigureitout03]

Even if the distributer is bad, shouldn't I be able to get a spark off of the coil? I removed the center wire from the distributer and had that center wire close to ground and I never saw a spark. That should cut the distributer out of the loop right?

[KTPhil]

[KTPhil]

Remove the black wire(s) on the hot side of the coil. These lead to the idle solenoid and choke. Then test with a light or VOM and see if the points are opening and closing.

Those two devices are connected to the hot coil lead, and thus are unfused. A short in either wire or device can prevent the coil from charging.

Note with the idle solenoid unplugged you won't get fuel, so it won't run thus way. but it removes one more variable/failure point while you are troubleshooting the ignition.
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[bcferrini]

[mukluk]

[VW_Jimbo]

[Jeff Geisen]

To test primary ignition with a simple test light, shift to neutral, set brake. Clip test light clamp to - side of coil (green wire). Ground light probe, power up ignition and roll the engine over at the gen/alt pulley or have a helper crank engine. If the test light blinks, under the cap and coil are good. If the light stays on steady or doesn’t light at all… there’s your trouble.
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab