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No spark #2632723
03/14/19 05:22 PM
03/14/19 05:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
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dfsmopars Offline OP
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dfsmopars  Offline OP
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Joined: Aug 2007
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The other day my ‘72 Charger took forever to start after it had been running and warmed it up. Then earlier this week went to start it and it would not fire. No spark. The distributor is a fancy electronic MSD one with the control pods on a board in the distributor. No ballast resistor. Voltage regulator. I replaced the coil today and still no spark. Where do I go from here?


‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring
‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
Re: No spark [Re: dfsmopars] #2632775
03/14/19 07:44 PM
03/14/19 07:44 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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RapidRobert  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
It would appear that the Might Sputter & Die self contained dist did exactly that (couldn't resist!). First pull the yellow wire off of the "ign" terminal on the starter relay to disable the starter & have a helper hold the key to "crank" & confirm the dist is being fed then have him let off the key to "run" & see if it is still being fed. Grab your meter. EDIT then disconnect the dist & start ohming it (I ain't up on MSD) and see if you see any "opens" & their diagnostic procedures should be on their site or utube somewhere.

Last edited by RapidRobert; 03/14/19 07:56 PM.

live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: No spark [Re: RapidRobert] #2632795
03/14/19 08:48 PM
03/14/19 08:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
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dfsmopars Offline OP
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Rapid. No offense. It is a pretty boy dist. Have not tried your trick yet. If I put a test light to the negative side of the coil while someone cranks it over and the light stays lit up what does that mean? Is the pick up coil not working?


‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring
‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
Re: No spark [Re: dfsmopars] #2632803
03/14/19 08:54 PM
03/14/19 08:54 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
Correct, if the light dont blink it means the dist ain't making/breaking the coil primary circuit, when it "opens", the magnetic field collapses & induces a voltage in the secondary windings. EDIT that the pickup/reluctor assy in the dist ain't doing its job

Last edited by RapidRobert; 03/14/19 09:15 PM.

live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: No spark [Re: RapidRobert] #2632812
03/14/19 09:21 PM
03/14/19 09:21 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
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dfsmopars Offline OP
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Ok thanks. Time to yank it and see if there is something obviously wrong. Not sure if service parts can be bought for that or not. I’ll have to ask MSD.


‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring
‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
Re: No spark [Re: dfsmopars] #2632854
03/14/19 11:44 PM
03/14/19 11:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363
Cotati, CA
Dave Hall Offline
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Dave Hall  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363
Cotati, CA
Are the cap and rotor in good shape? I've seen guys install new rotors with the plastic, cover things still on the end of the rotor. That's a quality piece and you should read through the MSD instructions then maybe their tech line if everything checks out.

Re: No spark [Re: Dave Hall] #2632881
03/15/19 05:36 AM
03/15/19 05:36 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
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dfsmopars Offline OP
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I replaced the cap and button last year because they had become corroded. This time they still look good. I'm guessing for the moment the problem has to be with the circuit board. It might be corroded. 🤔


‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring
‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
Re: No spark [Re: dfsmopars] #2633106
03/15/19 05:46 PM
03/15/19 05:46 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
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dfsmopars Offline OP
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
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MSD tech confirmed over the phone the module is bad. Gonna send it off to El Paso for them to repair. Still cheaper than buying something new and it has served me well for nine years.


‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring
‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500






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