Electric problem. Won’t start

[gregmasset]

I’ve posted over on the 356 section but it’s not a busy section of the site.

My car started popping and backfiring above 2k under a load. Revving while still was ok. Was recommended to replace the coil and condenser. I did and it wouldn’t start at all. No spark. I put the old coil and the old condenser back on and still no spark. Not sure what I could’ve screwed up in the 10 minutes of changing those out..
Any suggestions on how to chase this down and get me back on the road?
Thanks in advance Greg

[Dale M.]

Check coil wiring, Lead from IGN sw on + (15) wire form points on - (1)... Check to see points are actually open and closing.....

If you have test probe or test lamp, put it on negative terminal of coil and and other connection to ground... Turn on key and crank engine over if light flashes on/off/on/off you probably don't have ignition problem.... IF lamp does not flash (stays dark) you can have open wire from ignition switch or bad ignition switch (no power to coil) or open coil or point shorted (basically not opening or closing)... If you disconnect wire from points to coil and just turn key on and put test lamp on negative side of coil and test lamp light power to coil and coil good...

I find one of these is best friend when shooting car electrical problems...

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[nextgen]

Well Dale said all that I would have said -- but to simplify one thing -- disconnect the wire that goes to the coil that powers the coil. Put one end of the probe on the wire and the probe to the case ( ground ) with the ignition on the probe should light. It shows YOU have power. If it does not light the problem is in the Distributor.
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[Dale M.]

[gregmasset]

Ok. Lamp stays dark when connected to neg side of coil, grounded and switching key to Start.
With the key on, lamp lights when hooked to pos side of coil and grounded.

Does that mean the points aren’t opening then?

[gregmasset]

This wire is on the pos side of coil. Is this an in-line fuse?

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[Luft kühl]

The engine must be cranking in order for the light to flash.

The in line fuse is for the reverse lights.

[Dale M.]

[gregmasset]

The test light comes on with the neg side disconnected and the key on.

[Luft kühl]

It would appear that the points are not opening.

Reconnect the wire to the negative side, unclip the distributor cap, and manually pull the points apart (with the ignition switched on). The test light should be on (when connected to the negative side of the coil).

[Dale M.]

[Luft kühl]

That is what we are trying to determine.

[gregmasset]

I’m trying to imagine which would’ve happened as I changed the coil and condenser? That’s all that I changed between the moment it ran and 10 minutes later when it wouldn’t.

[David_nc_72std]

Hard to tell what all it involved since you didn't mention the type of distributor, but were you able to change the condenser without moving the distributor, loosening the points holddown screw, or changing anything else about the distributor? Have you checked the distributor cap to make sure the central contact that presses against the rotor didn't fall out? And of course my favorite (because I've done it), did you take the rotor off and forget to replace it?

[gregmasset]

After I typed that I started to wonder if I may’ve disturbed the points when I unscrewed the condenser wire.. Dinner just went on the grill- it probably won’t be until morning till I go back out there. There’s a glass of wine calling my name.


Any opinions on electronic ignition modules, like a pertronix? My car is still 6 volt—-

Thanks for the help. I’ll be back at it tomorrow. Greg

[Dale M.]

Most electronic modules are 12 volt....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[chrisflstf]

Dont do Pertronics on 6V. It wont fire unless U have near full battery voltage during cranking

[gregmasset]

Took it back apart and checked the gap on the points - .016 feeler. Put it back together and it runs again. But, the same problem persists. Above 2000 rpm it starts popping.
Glad it’s running again but now to improve.

[Luft kühl]

The next step is to find out what is wrong with the distributor.

Do you own a dwell meter, or a timing light ?

[gregmasset]

I have a timing light but no dwell meter.