Not Getting A Spark
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 4
From: Fayetteville, GA
Not Getting A Spark
I need some technical assistance with an electrical issue. I recently replaced the starter on my '72 coupe. After starting the car and letting it run for about 20 minutes, the car just shut off by itself. When I tried to restart it, the starter cranked, but the engine wouldn't fire up. I pulled the #1 plug wire, cranked the engine, and see no spark jumping to the plug. I did same for coil wire, and see no spark jumping to distributor. I have to add that the distributor has points and is not electronic. So I replaced the coil, and I am still not getting a spark. I checked the distributor cap, rotor, and distributor wires for breaks and bad grounds. I can't figure this one out. Anyone have the same problem or know what I need to do to fix this?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,660
Likes: 2,561
use a test light or voltmeter and check power to the positive terminal of the coil, both with the key in the run position and when cranking.
Go back to the starter and check the wires you connected to the solenoid.
Go back to the starter and check the wires you connected to the solenoid.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 4
From: Fayetteville, GA
Starter to solenoid wires are good and installed correctly. Everything was cleaned and wire brushed before reinstalling. As I stated, the car started perfectly and was running smooth before it just shut down. I'll check with the voltmeter.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,660
Likes: 2,561
wires
Just suggesting a wire may have broken due to age and handling during the starter change. Doesnt hurt to check the wires and use the voltmeter
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,140
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
Make sure the points open and close. While the engine cranks.
Take a Jumper wire from the + on the Alternator and run it to the + on the coil. If it starts you have a bad switch, fuse or wire.
You can run the car for a few minutes but without the lower voltage from the resistance wire the points may / will burn after a long run (40 minutes or so)
Back in 1970 I drove home 60 miles this way .. don't ask...
Take a Jumper wire from the + on the Alternator and run it to the + on the coil. If it starts you have a bad switch, fuse or wire.
You can run the car for a few minutes but without the lower voltage from the resistance wire the points may / will burn after a long run (40 minutes or so)
Back in 1970 I drove home 60 miles this way .. don't ask...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 4
From: Fayetteville, GA
Not Getting A Spark
Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I've narrowed it down to bad points. I'm going to put a dwell meter on it to be sure. Next step is going to be a conversion to a Petronix HEI. Do u guys have a support brace on your starters? When I replaced mine it came with that brace. A few guys in my club said to put it on for support and because of the torque flex a starter experiences on start up. There was no brace on the one I took off, so I'm wondering if I should put this one on or not.
