Need help; not getting spark
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Sounds like your battery is dead. Did you measure the voltage at the battery with the ignition on?
Another possibility is that one of the battery cables is bad. I had a battery leak at the battery terminal and eat up the wire inside the cable. There was no visible evidence of a problem.
Another possibility is that one of the battery cables is bad. I had a battery leak at the battery terminal and eat up the wire inside the cable. There was no visible evidence of a problem.
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
The voltage at the battery posts with the ignition turned on stays at 12 volts and the voltage at the distributor is still 9.5 volts at the distributor and tach side
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 41
From: Baltimore, MD USA
1) Is 9.5 volts with the Pink wire at the distributor unplugged or plugged into the cap?
2) If 9.5 volts when plugged into the cap, unplug the White Tach wire does it change the voltage?
3) If it's 9.5 with it unplugged something is wrong with the wiring
or the ignition switch contacts.
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Should read close to the battery voltage.
1) Is 9.5 volts with the Pink wire at the distributor unplugged or plugged into the cap?
2) If 9.5 volts when plugged into the cap, unplug the White Tach wire does it change the voltage?
3) If it's 9.5 with it unplugged something is wrong with the wiring
or the ignition switch contacts.
1) Is 9.5 volts with the Pink wire at the distributor unplugged or plugged into the cap?
2) If 9.5 volts when plugged into the cap, unplug the White Tach wire does it change the voltage?
3) If it's 9.5 with it unplugged something is wrong with the wiring
or the ignition switch contacts.
Battery with or without ignition switch on = 12.2 volts
Pink wire plugged into Dist coil = 11.9v Ignition on
White wire plugged into Dist coil = 11.9v Ignition on
Pink wire plugged in and white wire unplugged = 11.7v at both ignition and tach contacts of the coil - Ignition on
Both Pink wire and White wire unplugged = 11.9v at pink wire and zero volts at white wire - ignition on
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 41
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Voltages look normal.
Are you sure you are plugging the Pink wire to the Batt. plug in the cap
and the White terminal in the Tach terminal?
Disconnect the EST bypass wire and see if you get spark.
This is the Brown/Tan wire by the brake booster you disconnect when you
time the engine.
If no spark, remove the distributor cap and verify the rotor is actually turning
when you crank the engine.
If still no spark, on the 4 wire distributor connector plug, use an ohm meter and verify while the plug is still connected the Black/Red wire has continuity with the negative battey terminal. If you can't back probe the connector use a sewing need and poke through the Black/Red wire insulation if you can.
Are you sure you are plugging the Pink wire to the Batt. plug in the cap
and the White terminal in the Tach terminal?
Disconnect the EST bypass wire and see if you get spark.
This is the Brown/Tan wire by the brake booster you disconnect when you
time the engine.
If no spark, remove the distributor cap and verify the rotor is actually turning
when you crank the engine.
If still no spark, on the 4 wire distributor connector plug, use an ohm meter and verify while the plug is still connected the Black/Red wire has continuity with the negative battey terminal. If you can't back probe the connector use a sewing need and poke through the Black/Red wire insulation if you can.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
