The Ford Barn

cars56 · 05-01-2011, 11:22 AM

While trouble shooting the ignition I found 6 volts at the points with them closed and key turned on. What do you think is the issue?
6 volts when they are open key turned on which is normal.

Thanks

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 05-01-2011, 11:52 AM

Sounds like the current is not finding it way to 'ground'. Either points are corroded, ...or continuity issues around the plate where the points arm is.

.

Tom Wesenberg · 05-01-2011, 12:07 PM

As Brent said the points aren't finding ground and my first guess would be you need to sand the points.

A quick and easy way to find the fault is to take a wire and clip one end to a good ground, then touch the other end to the distributor body and see if the 6 volts drops to zero. If it does, then the distributor needs a good ground. If you still have 6 volts at the points, then touch the grounded wire to the points contact and see if you loose the 6 volts. If so, then you know you need to clean the points.

Mike V. Florida · 05-01-2011, 12:11 PM

Agreed sand points first check to see it the distributor is grounded to the head. This sometimes happens if you paint the head and the carb.

Please let us know what you find!!

Richard Lorenz · 05-02-2011, 09:59 AM

I believe that Tom's reply has a typo in it. The word "doesn" should be "does".

Tom Wesenberg · 05-02-2011, 01:02 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Lorenz

I believe that Tom's reply has a typo in it. The word "doesn" should be "does".

Thanks Richard, I removed the "n".

cars56 · 05-02-2011, 05:32 PM

Thanks all for pitching in for a solution. This issue certainly has stumped me. Heading out to do some trouble shooting. Will come back with a prognosis based on suggestions.

cars56 · 05-21-2011, 11:24 PM

UPDATE:
Purchased a new original distributor and will convert the problem one to original plates. So much easier to set the points on traditional and trouble shoot.
Problem solved

Mike V. Florida · 05-22-2011, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cars56

UPDATE:
Purchased a new original distributor and will convert the problem one to original plates. So much easier to set the points on traditional and trouble shoot.
Problem solved

Glad to hear that all is working for you.

05-01-2011, 11:22 AM	#1
cars56 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 212	Points While trouble shooting the ignition I found 6 volts at the points with them closed and key turned on. What do you think is the issue? 6 volts when they are open key turned on which is normal. Thanks

05-01-2011, 11:52 AM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,535	Re: Points Sounds like the current is not finding it way to 'ground'. Either points are corroded, ...or continuity issues around the plate where the points arm is. . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

05-01-2011, 12:07 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Points As Brent said the points aren't finding ground and my first guess would be you need to sand the points. A quick and easy way to find the fault is to take a wire and clip one end to a good ground, then touch the other end to the distributor body and see if the 6 volts drops to zero. If it does, then the distributor needs a good ground. If you still have 6 volts at the points, then touch the grounded wire to the points contact and see if you loose the 6 volts. If so, then you know you need to clean the points. Last edited by Tom Wesenberg; 05-02-2011 at 01:01 PM.

05-01-2011, 12:11 PM	#4
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Points Agreed sand points first check to see it the distributor is grounded to the head. This sometimes happens if you paint the head and the carb. Please let us know what you find!! __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II Last edited by Mike V. Florida; 05-02-2011 at 03:19 AM.

05-02-2011, 09:59 AM	#5
Richard Lorenz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 447	Re: Points I believe that Tom's reply has a typo in it. The word "doesn" should be "does".

05-02-2011, 05:32 PM	#7
cars56 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 212	Re: Points Thanks all for pitching in for a solution. This issue certainly has stumped me. Heading out to do some trouble shooting. Will come back with a prognosis based on suggestions.

05-21-2011, 11:24 PM	#8
cars56 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 212	Re: Points UPDATE: Purchased a new original distributor and will convert the problem one to original plates. So much easier to set the points on traditional and trouble shoot. Problem solved