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No spark need some Help. #983398 04/30/11 10:09 PM 04/30/11 10:09 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS. J Joshs68 OP pro stock
Joshs68 OP pro stock J Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS.	My car shut off when I was driving it home the other day. I have changed the ECU, Ballast and coil. I have power at the ballast on both sides and it increases when I crank it. I have disconnected the lead to the distributor and gotten a small spark to ground with the key on. What else am I missing? pickup in the distributor? Am I overlooking something simple? Any help would be great. Thanks Josh

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: Joshs68] #983399 04/30/11 10:59 PM 04/30/11 10:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,406 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN... N NITROUSN I Live Here
NITROUSN I Live Here N Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,406 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...	Key on. Unplug dist connector. Hold coil wire 1/4 to 1/2 from ground. Tap the exposed harness side male pin of the dist connector to a good ground. The coil should shoot a spark every time.

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: NITROUSN] #983400 04/30/11 11:38 PM 04/30/11 11:38 PM
Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,216 Under My Car Mopar_Country pro stock
Mopar_Country pro stock Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,216 Under My Car	How about the coil wire? Check the pickup in the distributor, if you have a volt meter set it to the OHM's setting and see what you get for a reading. Should be in the 100 to 900 OHM's range, typically it will be 250 to 375. Next set the meter to AC volts and spin the dizzy you should get at least 1v AC.

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: NITROUSN] #983401 05/01/11 12:32 AM 05/01/11 12:32 AM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS. J Joshs68 OP pro stock
Joshs68 OP pro stock J Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS.	Quote: Key on. Unplug dist connector. Hold coil wire 1/4 to 1/2 from ground. Tap the exposed harness side male pin of the dist connector to a good ground. The coil should shoot a spark every time. OK, I did this and I get a nice fat spark (shocked myself pretty good actually) So would this isolate the problem to the distributor/pickup? Making progress, thanks!

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: Joshs68] #983402 05/01/11 12:36 AM 05/01/11 12:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,406 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN... N NITROUSN I Live Here
NITROUSN I Live Here N Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,406 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...	Quote: Quote: Key on. Unplug dist connector. Hold coil wire 1/4 to 1/2 from ground. Tap the exposed harness side male pin of the dist connector to a good ground. The coil should shoot a spark every time. OK, I did this and I get a nice fat spark (shocked myself pretty good actually) So would this isolate the problem to the distributor/pickup? Making progress, thanks! Yes it sounds like a pick up problem. Make sure the distributor is turning... Seems like you are diagnosing on the right track. Let us know how it works out.

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: NITROUSN] #983403 05/01/11 12:50 AM 05/01/11 12:50 AM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS. J Joshs68 OP pro stock
Joshs68 OP pro stock J Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS.	Quote: Quote: Quote: Key on. Unplug dist connector. Hold coil wire 1/4 to 1/2 from ground. Tap the exposed harness side male pin of the dist connector to a good ground. The coil should shoot a spark every time. OK, I did this and I get a nice fat spark (shocked myself pretty good actually) So would this isolate the problem to the distributor/pickup? Making progress, thanks! Yes it sounds like a pick up problem. Make sure the distributor is turning... Seems like you are diagnosing on the right track. Let us know how it works out. I checked that and the distributor is turning. can I get the pickup off with the distributor in the car? or do i need to take it out and pull the shaft out?

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: Joshs68] #983404 05/01/11 12:53 AM 05/01/11 12:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,406 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN... N NITROUSN I Live Here
NITROUSN I Live Here N Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,406 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...	Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: Key on. Unplug dist connector. Hold coil wire 1/4 to 1/2 from ground. Tap the exposed harness side male pin of the dist connector to a good ground. The coil should shoot a spark every time. OK, I did this and I get a nice fat spark (shocked myself pretty good actually) So would this isolate the problem to the distributor/pickup? Making progress, thanks! Yes it sounds like a pick up problem. Make sure the distributor is turning... Seems like you are diagnosing on the right track. Let us know how it works out. I checked that and the distributor is turning. can I get the pickup off with the distributor in the car? or do i need to take it out and pull the shaft out? Pull the rotor, reluctor and inbolt the pick up. So yes it could be done in the car.

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: Joshs68] #983405 05/01/11 01:05 AM 05/01/11 01:05 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	need to take the reluctor up/off after getting the center clip out. Have a helper keep the center shaft down w his thumb as you pry the reluctor up w 2 large screwdrivers opposite each other then when it is up a ways switch to 2 tire irons. Dont lose the roll pin & note which groove in the reluctor the roll pin is in. Take out the 2 vac can screws then lift the plate up a bit so the arm can come out/free then remove the can/arm and lever up the bottom plate evenly & take it out from the dist so you can get to the triangle clip on bottom. Make sure the pickup needs R&R'd b 4 you go to this trouble, 1st as said ohm it/check the gap w a brass gauge live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: RapidRobert] #983406 05/01/11 04:59 AM 05/01/11 04:59 AM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS. J Joshs68 OP pro stock
Joshs68 OP pro stock J Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS.	So I tested the pickup and it does not even register on the ohm meter and the new pickup does. I took the distributor apart and am able to replace the pickup but I have one question. once apart the T shaped part that holds the reluctor and has the slots for the weights in the bottom doesn't seem right. Shouldn't it be a solid piece? the top pipe piece rotates inside the flat lower part with the slots. I did not have a lot of play in the rotor before I took this apart and I didn't have to pry very hard to take it apart after I removed the small clip inside. I do not see how this will work with this movement, t would let the rotor move around wouldn't it? Is this normal?

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: Joshs68] #983407 05/01/11 10:04 AM 05/01/11 10:04 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	Sounds like the the T shaped center pipe assy w the reluctor on top of the round plate/slots on the bottom side of the round plate that it all came up & the nubs on top of the weights ain't in the slots & if so have a helper push down slightly on the center pipe as you w a long thin screwdrive move each weight out against spring tension till one nub starts to go in the slot & helper holds tension there & you move the other weight till it drops in place. It's tricky & if it wont work 4 you then take out the whole assy, center pipe/circular plate/reluctor at one time & seperate the reluctor & start over. #1 caveat is when the center pipe slots are down on the weight nubs that you dont pull it up/off of them, just keep everything down as you reinstall the circular plate then the reluctor. If this is not the prob & your speaking of a prob w the little black triangle lock/magnet plate holler back EDIT to get at the weights to move them just a bit w a thin screwdriver you need to remove the vac can & loosen the dist clamp so you can rotate the dist housing so you have just the right angle to see what your doing Last edited by RapidRobert; 05/01/11 12:04 PM. live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: RapidRobert] #983408 05/01/11 12:10 PM 05/01/11 12:10 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS. J Joshs68 OP pro stock
Joshs68 OP pro stock J Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS.	No, I am not having problems with the weights. It looks like the center pipe had a crimp fit to the bottom plate, mine is loose. I can hold the bottom of the plate and twist the pipe from about 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock. I can do this with the assembly in my hand. seems like that should be a solid piece.

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: Joshs68] #983409 05/01/11 12:21 PM 05/01/11 12:21 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: seems like that should be a solid piece. got it, just had never seen one of those break loose so wasn't grasping what we were talking about, yes that needs to b solid either by rewelding it or pirating another one of ideally the same slot length(s) if your damaged one had the correct slot length for your app if you had dialed in the right curve but it sounds like right now you just want to b up and running & any fine tuning can come later Last edited by RapidRobert; 05/01/11 03:44 PM. live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: RapidRobert] #983410 05/01/11 12:43 PM 05/01/11 12:43 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS. J Joshs68 OP pro stock
Joshs68 OP pro stock J Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS.	Is that a piece I can buy separate? I don't have another dist to pull it from. Oh well It looks like I have found the issue I guess. I may just be in for a new distributor.

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: Joshs68] #983411 05/01/11 03:37 PM 05/01/11 03:37 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	The slotted plate/center pipe assy ain't avail new but they all (electronic ones/not points) interch ex the slot lengths are diff which you could live w that for now. If your pretty comfortable putting one together I'd get a cheap junk one for that piece but that wouldn't b as quick as buying a new one assuming a parts house had one avail on the shelf plus to do it right a new will still need to b taken apart & slot length/springs changed after you have finalized your initial but just to get you going buying a new one would b the fastest way to go esp one of the new MP Mallory built types w the externally adjustable curve live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: No spark need some Help. [Re: RapidRobert] #983412 05/01/11 08:17 PM 05/01/11 08:17 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS. J Joshs68 OP pro stock
Joshs68 OP pro stock J Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS.	I am looking at just getting a new one. glad this isn't my daily driver. Thanks for the offer though. I like the idea of the new MP units ease of adjustment. I am also thinking about on of the Fire-core pieces, nice to support the little guy, it looks like a nice piece and it doesn't have vacuum advance which I don't use anyway.

Re: No spark need some Help. :UPDATE: [Re: Joshs68] #983413 05/17/11 08:48 PM 05/17/11 08:48 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS. J Joshs68 OP pro stock
Joshs68 OP pro stock J Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,472 Overland Park, KS.	I traced the issue to a bad pickup. I took the distributor apart to swap the pickup and the pipe / piece that sits on the weights and hold the reluctor moved, as in was not one piece and I was able to twist the pipe portion inside the flat plate. I just ordered a new distributor from FBO, had him set it for 20* initial and remove the vacuum advance altogether. I also got a cool coil mount bracket (part # AR208). I think it was a real good price on the distributor and came set up exactly as he said. Fired right up and seems to run well, need to go for a test run!! Thanks to all that answered my questions and helped me trouble shoot this thing.

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