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Need help! No spark

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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 12:51 PM
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Default Need help! No spark

1978 corvette L82 350 4 speed, turn the key no spark, then turn the key again has spark. Wire to the dizzy is hot. Replaced w/new dizzy still no spark. Pull spark plug no spark. Then sometimes it has spark. Wires tight on starter. trying to get car started, never heard it run. Been parked for over 10 years. Any ideas. thanks
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by joescvette
1978 corvette L82 350 4 speed, turn the key no spark, then turn the key again has spark. Wire to the dizzy is hot. Replaced w/new dizzy still no spark. Pull spark plug no spark. Then sometimes it has spark. Wires tight on starter. trying to get car started, never heard it run. Been parked for over 10 years. Any ideas. thanks
Do you have a good ground to the distributor through the engine block?
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 01:22 PM
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NOt sure, how do I know?
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 01:53 PM
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when you have no spark, you still have 12+ volts at large red wire on distributor?
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 01:53 PM
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Could it be the ignition switch, can it tested in the car?
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by joescvette
NOt sure, how do I know?
Voltmeter leads from battery ground to distributor body should read close to 0 volts.
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 03:02 PM
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Also I get no spark when the engine is cranking, and sometimes I do get spark. with key on I have 12+, start cranking I have no spark to the plugs. and sometimes I do. any help let me know. I have to get to a appointment.
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 03:19 PM
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this is the circuit diagram, when cranking and no spark do you have 12+ volts at the distributor
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...6ff078cc98305a
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 05:26 PM
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Sounds like a failing ignition switch or fuseable link in the wiring harness.
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 05:32 PM
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Well you have eliminated the dist if you put in a known good one a slight trick to try

Get a test light with long enough leads you can see it if it lights up while you're cranking. Prod or poke the power wire going to the dist and crank.

Keep tracing back along the wire amd see where it is losing the 12v until you get a steady light.

Im not saying it'll work but ive used this system before and found the break in connections
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Old Jan 21, 2015 | 08:38 PM
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Thanks for all the help. I will replace the ignition switch this weekend, and go from there.
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 08:51 PM
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Update?
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 05:29 PM
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before you start firing the parts cannon at it, or rather firing another round, test the wiring. 78 should be HEI. before replacing distributr test the module, cap, rotor, do you have 12v at the power wire? you do know you don't get spark when the key is on, the engine has to be cranking. if the power to the dist. is what is intermittantly missing, trace it back, after ruling out bad connector. what happens if you hot wire it? run 12v to the dist from batt and crank the engine, does it have spark then?
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by JimLentz
Voltmeter leads from battery ground to distributor body should read close to 0 volts.
Don't you mean 0 OHMS?
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