Re: electrical system-no spark

Posted by Doug Linden on August 21, 1997 at 12:35:14

In Reply to: Re: electrical system-no spark
posted by DJ.Voyce on August 21, 1997 at 10:39:53

: : I am working on a model A and cannot get any spark.I've been
: : told that the points and condensor may be the problem but I'm
: : from a younger generation that has never seen a capacitor without a lead on both sides.Advice and Information on how to get points, condensor, a carb. kit, and a radiator.
: : By the way I'm just starting out with this.
: G'Day Matt,
:Firstly your best bet for a used radiator would be to join a local chapter of one of the Model A clubs & one of the members might be able to help you out, or contact someone like Snyder's or Mike's A ford-able spares for a new one. As far as your spark problem goes, you could try the following. If you're brave enough hold onto the H.T. lead from the coil whilst turning the engine with the ignition on & if you get a slight shock but no spark then the condensor is definitely the culprit.(A bit radical but it works).If there's nothing at all from the H.T. lead, then with the points in the open position (or a piece of paper between the contacts) check for current with a test light or multi-meter between the points arm & a clean ground on the engine. If there's no current then check the distributor side coil pole for current, if yes then there's an open circuit problem between the coil, ignition switch & distributor. If nothen check the battery side of the coil. If you have current there then disconnect the distributor side wire & check that pole again,(obviously if you have no current on the battery side of the coil that's your problem) if you now have current on the distributor side of the coil the wire between the coil/ignition-switch/distributor has gone to ground somewhere along the line. If there's no current the coil is faulty.
: Hope this is of some help to you.
: Regardz
: DJ.
Good advice DJ.The only thing I would add is that there could be a short circuit in the switch or distributor that would also cause a no voltage to appear on the dist side of the coil.You can isolate this by disconnecting that wire on the dist.If you now have 6 volts you can focus on the switch or the distributor.I would then switch the multimeter to the ohms scale and see if I have continuity from the dist wire to ground.If yes then start to isolate the different elements.Probably the easiest thing to do is take off the top and bottom plate of the dist..From here on it's just a matter of seeing if the short on the dist wire can be eliminated.I have seen pop-out switches develop shorts to ground, so don't rule them out.
Good Luck hunting this down

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