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04-07-2013, 09:16 PM | #21 | |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
Quote:
Replacing both the condenser & coil with new ones still ends with the same symptom - good spark when manually opening the points, but the spark disappears when using the starter. Long story short (no pun intended) - almost a month ago now, I was left by the side of the road. The initial symptom was a short somewhere in the distributor (no voltage on the points arm). Somehow, that disappeared during the course of dismantling & putting the distributor back together a few times while trying to trace the short. Now I've got the disappearing spark while using the starter. I thought once the short was gone, that'd be the end of it, but no such luck. I've gone over pretty much the entire electrical path, and everything seems fine. If I could use a handcrank, I'd try that - but the engine is off by about a 1/4" to the right. Next up, I have to find a friend or neighbor to bribe to help me push the thing down the street and try popping the clutch. I suppose it's also possible the battery is weak, but the engine seems to be turning with the starter as fast as I think I remember it doing before, and the cells come back at about 75% with a hydrometer... This thing really has me puzzled (and frustrated)... |
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04-07-2013, 10:29 PM | #22 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
"I really need to get a neighbor or friend to help me try to push start the thing next; I may have to offer up a bribe to find a willing volunteer... "
That would be my next step. In fact since what you have sounds exactly like what happened to me a couple years ago, I hope you don't do anything else but push start it, then see if it doesn't work fine after running a few minutes. That's all it took for me, except I was able to hand crank mine, so it didn't need a push start. Is there a nearby hill you could roll down? |
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04-07-2013, 10:57 PM | #23 | |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
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04-07-2013, 11:24 PM | #24 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
Jason did mention that the spark from the end of the coil wire is fine when the points are opened by hand, but not so fine when the starter is cranking the engine. This is identical to what I had a couple years ago. I tried sanding the points a few times, but it was always the same thing. Finally I figured I'd just hand crank it, and it fired right off on the first pull. When I first got my 1939 motorbike running I had the same points problem. I'd have some spark, and then when I went to drive the bike it quit. I'd have to remove the cover and flywheel, sand the points and try again. Finally after about a dozen times of removing the flywheel and sanding the points it kept running like it should. Some times points can be finicky and for no apparent reason. When I worked at the GM dealership, I'd get new points out of a foil sealed box and about 1 in 10 wouldn't work.
This is why I hope Jason push starts the car, to see if the same fix doesn't work for him as it worked for me. |
04-07-2013, 11:51 PM | #25 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
Ok I think the problem is in the points plate or the connection from the bottom plate to the points post. the way to check this is first put a piece of paper between the points contact so the point aren't closed. next take a multi meter and check for 6 volts with the key on at the point post that goes through the top plate . put your red lead on a head bolt and the black lead on the points post.if you have 6 volts change the points. if you don't have 6 volts take the distributor cam out. place a rag on the side of the distributor and place the upper plate on the rag so it doesn't ground on the motor. next use the mutimeter and check the wire from the bottom plate to the points post. if you have 6 volts your broblem is the end connector of the wire from the bottom plate is grounding on the distributor base. this is the most common cause of sometime spark on model As. most of the time people replace this connector with a modern style connector that is to big and like I said it grounds out on the distributor body . the fix change the connector to a original style flag type connector . or solder the wire to the post after you put the nut on . you can always desolder it when you need to change points. or swap the original style plates for the modern style plates.
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04-08-2013, 05:42 AM | #26 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
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04-09-2013, 06:40 PM | #27 | |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
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04-09-2013, 07:43 PM | #28 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
That would be tough to do. Someone reported jacking up one rear wheel, placing the tranny in high gear, turn the key on and then grab the tire and turn it to start the engine. Just make sure the car doesn't fall off the jack.
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04-09-2013, 09:11 PM | #29 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
By hand, by yourself, just takes lots of agility, a strong marsh type push pole, & a very strong hurricane force wind in the right direction.
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04-10-2013, 06:01 AM | #30 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
Check to be sure that your fixed point in the distributor is tight after the locking screw is tightened. I had a problem with my fixed point block which allowed the fixed point to be turn and move around even thought the locking screw was tight. This may be a shot in the dark but it is easy to check. I replaced the fixed point block and the problem was fixed. I identified the problem by using a VOM meter to check the voltage across the points while I hand cranked the engine. The voltage level was very inconsistent.
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04-10-2013, 06:13 AM | #31 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
Is it possible - just wondering since I had a similar problem - that there is short in the ignition switch? I had a replacement switch that failed - replaced it with a 'restored' pop-out switch and my problem went away.
I have also installed the switch cable too far once and it shorted out the lower plate against the distributor body. That was a fun one to figure out. Good luck. |
04-10-2013, 11:16 AM | #32 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
If you can't find help to push, park on a hill and let gravity help you get started................
Paul in CT |
04-10-2013, 12:08 PM | #33 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
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04-10-2013, 04:52 PM | #34 | |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
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04-10-2013, 10:16 PM | #35 |
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Re: Disappearing Spark update - nope, not fixed yet : (
Back in 56,I had a 32 Chev coupe with a poor battery & no hand crank.If I couldnt park on a hill,I would jack up the LH wheel & with trans in high gear,would give the wheel a flip or two & it would start. As for no spark when using starter,perhaps the starter is drawing to many amps & not enoughvoltage left for ignition.
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