No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
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From: Phoenix Arizona
No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help...
It's been a couple months since I got the new distributor in. It's a Proform dist. I have 12 volts+ going to it. Now there is no spark. Either the coil is bad, the module (most likely) or the coil pickup is bad.... What could cause this?
The ONLY thing I can think of is that I did have another car "jumping" my car as I tried to get it fired up. Could that have been the problem?
Is it ok to run more than 12 volts to the HEI unit????
I am depressed..... :banghead: :mad
Bob :sad:
The ONLY thing I can think of is that I did have another car "jumping" my car as I tried to get it fired up. Could that have been the problem?
Is it ok to run more than 12 volts to the HEI unit????
I am depressed..... :banghead: :mad
Bob :sad:
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Long Island NY
Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (Bob Turner)
Jumbing your car should not be a problem. Just like anything electrical start the testing and elemination process
You said this was a brand new item, try this
1) was it a complete HEI or did you add parts to it, if you did add parts to it check those items
2) check that you are getting 12V when the engine is crancking you may have selected a switched power source
3) ensure all of the connections are ok
4)start replacing parts, start with the module, then the coil
I will say this chances are you messed-up your install. The HEI units are bullet-proof especialy the GM
You said this was a brand new item, try this
1) was it a complete HEI or did you add parts to it, if you did add parts to it check those items
2) check that you are getting 12V when the engine is crancking you may have selected a switched power source
3) ensure all of the connections are ok
4)start replacing parts, start with the module, then the coil
I will say this chances are you messed-up your install. The HEI units are bullet-proof especialy the GM
Le Mans Master
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From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (Bad-79)
Bob, are you still using the stock 3 wire starter? I had a problem with the starter and the HEI install when I did it on my small block. I can't remember the exact problem, but it had something to do with different voltage coming from the ignition switch between the "start" and "run" positions. I solved that problem by installing a two wire starter and a remote solenoid.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (Bad-79)
Bad-79,
Thanks for the reply.
1.The dist is a completely New unit.
2. Thanks for this tip- I will check the voltage while cranking. I do have the 12V source coming from the battery (fused).......
3. Yes
4. probably the module...
Thanks!
bob
:cheers:
Thanks for the reply.
1.The dist is a completely New unit.
2. Thanks for this tip- I will check the voltage while cranking. I do have the 12V source coming from the battery (fused).......
3. Yes
4. probably the module...
Thanks!
bob
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (Bob Turner)
When I crank the motor, I am showing 9 volts to the distributor. Is this because the starter is pulling all the juice?
This connection to the dist is coming directly from the battery......
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
Bob
This connection to the dist is coming directly from the battery......
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
Bob
Le Mans Master
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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (Bob Turner)
:iagree: From here in California, sounds more like a lame battery Bob. If you needed to jump it to start it and you get only 9V when you turn the key it canÂ’t handle any big load. You can’t test a battery with just a voltmeter. You have to test it under load and yes that starter will do. Usually a load cell – big heat dissipating resistor. Most auto stores will test battery for you nowdays.
Yes insure all connections are clean and make good contact as this can reduce voltage.
Now I have a ’74 sb and guess the ignition wiring is the same. You should have a yellow wire from starter solenoid small outside terminal going to coil pos (+). This yell’er wire bypasses the normal resistor wire to the + side of coil to give coil full 12V just for startup. You still need that other resistor wire (red or orange I think) to reduce voltage (I never measured it) to coil in run mode. This saves the coil from over heating and burning up. :yesnod:
[Modified by cardo0, 12:31 PM 11/23/2003]
Yes insure all connections are clean and make good contact as this can reduce voltage.
Now I have a ’74 sb and guess the ignition wiring is the same. You should have a yellow wire from starter solenoid small outside terminal going to coil pos (+). This yell’er wire bypasses the normal resistor wire to the + side of coil to give coil full 12V just for startup. You still need that other resistor wire (red or orange I think) to reduce voltage (I never measured it) to coil in run mode. This saves the coil from over heating and burning up. :yesnod:
[Modified by cardo0, 12:31 PM 11/23/2003]
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Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (Bob Turner)
I have the same Proform distributor.. but didn't have any issues with it..
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (cardo0)
cardo0,
Thanks for that idea- you're right- that battery is 6 years old now!!! I will replace it.... I figured it still was ok...... looks like it burned the module/coil up....
As far as your wiring is concerned, I don't think I need a resistor because this is an HEI unit as opposed to a points setup....
Bob :cheers:
Thanks for that idea- you're right- that battery is 6 years old now!!! I will replace it.... I figured it still was ok...... looks like it burned the module/coil up....
As far as your wiring is concerned, I don't think I need a resistor because this is an HEI unit as opposed to a points setup....
Bob :cheers:
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Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (Bob Turner)
When replacing a points with an HEI you must remove the resistor / balast block. You need a full 12 volt feed to the distributor without any resistor in-line.
Let me know if you want to borrow my HEI. I have at least 1 good working HEI in my garage. I just pulled one from my ZZ4.
[Modified by BSeery, 4:07 PM 11/23/2003]
Let me know if you want to borrow my HEI. I have at least 1 good working HEI in my garage. I just pulled one from my ZZ4.
[Modified by BSeery, 4:07 PM 11/23/2003]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (BSeery)
Hey Brian,
Thanks for the offer! I will keep it in mind.
I do have 12 volts going to it. I installed a relay, so the "resistor" line runs to the relay and the 12 volt line is coming from the batt to the distributor..... I know I need a battery and a new module. I will go from there!
I hope to have this car running like a champ by the time we cruise to Gila Bend in March!!!!!!
Bob :cheers:
Thanks for the offer! I will keep it in mind.
I do have 12 volts going to it. I installed a relay, so the "resistor" line runs to the relay and the 12 volt line is coming from the batt to the distributor..... I know I need a battery and a new module. I will go from there!
I hope to have this car running like a champ by the time we cruise to Gila Bend in March!!!!!!
Bob :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (Bob Turner)
Hey Brian,
Thanks for the offer! I will keep it in mind.
I do have 12 volts going to it. I installed a relay, so the "resistor" line runs to the relay and the 12 volt line is coming from the batt to the distributor..... I know I need a battery and a new module. I will go from there!
I hope to have this car running like a champ by the time we cruise to Gila Bend in March!!!!!!
Bob :cheers:
Thanks for the offer! I will keep it in mind.
I do have 12 volts going to it. I installed a relay, so the "resistor" line runs to the relay and the 12 volt line is coming from the batt to the distributor..... I know I need a battery and a new module. I will go from there!
I hope to have this car running like a champ by the time we cruise to Gila Bend in March!!!!!!
Bob :cheers:
A little :confused: , do you have 12v all the time to the dist? You need a constant 12v all the time, the old points dist ran 12v line for starting then switched over to the resistor line once the eng starts, believe the routing is controlled by the key position.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: No spark- New Proform HEI dist....help... (Fevre)
Hi Fevre,
Yes, sir. I do have 12V+ going to the dist. I built a relay to make sure.
It seems that the battery is going bad since when I crank it, I am getting only 9.5 volts...
I don't know why the module went out (if it is the module).......
:confused: :confused:
Yes, sir. I do have 12V+ going to the dist. I built a relay to make sure.
It seems that the battery is going bad since when I crank it, I am getting only 9.5 volts...
I don't know why the module went out (if it is the module).......
:confused: :confused:
