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rogerd20 Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2017 Posts: 10 Location: Jonesboro
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 4:06 pm Post subject: Starting motor off battery |
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Okay guys, I just got a 73 westy that I'm wanting to test the motor in. The factory wiring in the engine bay is a bit of a mess. I remember testing a old vw motor years ago just off of a battery. I'm just wondering if the same is possible with a type 4 motor. I ran a wire from the hot on the battery to the hot on the ignition coil and a ground from the battery to the ground on the ignition coil. When I power the starter it cranks but no spark. Am I going about this the wrong way? Anyone ever do this?
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DuaneL Samba Member

Joined: February 02, 2012 Posts: 511 Location: Spokane WA
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Starting motor off battery |
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rogerd20 wrote: |
and a ground from the battery to the ground on the ignition coil. |
would be the problem the ground on the coil is only hooked up to the distributor (points, condenser to be more accurate) _________________ ____________
1971 std bug, 1776, ACN Super Stock 34-3, dvda dist, 27x8.50 14 tires |
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rogerd20 Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2017 Posts: 10 Location: Jonesboro
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: Starting motor off battery |
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I have the main ground wire from the body hooked up as well |
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DuaneL Samba Member

Joined: February 02, 2012 Posts: 511 Location: Spokane WA
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: Starting motor off battery |
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But if you have a ground hooked up to the coil you will not get a spark, the spark is created by the points opening and removing the ground to the coil (points closed coil is grounded points open ground is removed from coil and spark occurs) _________________ ____________
1971 std bug, 1776, ACN Super Stock 34-3, dvda dist, 27x8.50 14 tires |
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busdaddy Samba Member

Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 39262 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, Land of the giant flying moose!
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Starting motor off battery |
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My money's on corroded or dirty points, pinch some clean brown paper bag between them and shine them up, then see if you get a spark. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Wanted, OG paint 1971 Niagara blue decklid.
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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rogerd20 Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2017 Posts: 10 Location: Jonesboro
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: Starting motor off battery |
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I Removed the ground from
The battery to the coil, and cleaned all points. Still no spark. I may try putting a nice ground strap directly from the battery to the engine tomorrow. |
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busdaddy Samba Member

Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 39262 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, Land of the giant flying moose!
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: Starting motor off battery |
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Connect a test light between the primary terminals on the coil an watch it as you crank, flash flash flash?, steady?, or dark when cranking? _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Wanted, OG paint 1971 Niagara blue decklid.
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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rogerd20 Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2017 Posts: 10 Location: Jonesboro
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Starting motor off battery |
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I'll try it first thing tomorrow when I get off work and update you. |
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rogerd20 Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2017 Posts: 10 Location: Jonesboro
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Starting motor off battery |
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I cleaned all the points again and put a ground strap on, fired on the first crank. Can't thank you guys enough for the help.  |
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