no spark from HEI

I have power to the distributor, but no spark at the pins on to of the distributor cap. I need to now how to test the other componets coil ect. I have looked in all of my repair manuals and no info.

 

What type of HEI are you running?

It is probalby the ignition module. They are cheap. I think I paid $11 for the last one I put in. Always a good idea to carry a spare one.

 

Is this a new install or has it been running previously? If it has run before and won't start now I would have to agree with Hudsonhawk and suggest replacing the module.

 

if it is the standard "big cap" dist like from the mid 1970"s,they wer bad for breaking the wire or wires off on the pickup coil due to the movement of the vacume advance,it is located in the bottom of the dist,and the shaft runs thru it,also as mentioned earlier ign module,or check that the coil ground is in place,have seen alot get throwed away for some reason?

 

coil should be simple to check with an ohm meter,see if you get a reading,if not the windings are burnt into

 

Ipuchased the distributor new from preformance distributor. It is the first time ever to be installed. I new wiring without a balast resistor, balast resitor eliminated from the wiring harness. I have a good 12 volt plus to the coil with the key on and when cranking over the engin. Checked the coil with a ohm meter checked out ok. Auto Zone checked the modual for me on their machine today and said that it was ok. Juust to the ignition modual there is a small square computor chip looking thing. what is it called, how can I test it. Still trying to find the reason for no spark. Im going to try Napa a couple of other auto parts stores to find all of the electric parts cap rotor coil modual and that square computor looking thing ect. I will not be able to call and talk with someone at prefomance distributor in depth for a couple of weeks, get home to late in the in the evening.

 

so i take it is not a GM style dist,disregard everything i said

 

yes it is a GM style distributor. I do apriciate all of the help, all of the comments apply. Still wondering what the small computor chip looking thing is just to the left of the modual.

 

need pictures

 

i just bought a dui from performance dist... they stand behind there product very well, have you called them yet.... if its a dui i can say that for the money spent they will give you a new one.... im not seeing a comp chip on my dui though> got pics?

 

Don't know if this will help and don't remember the specifics but: After installing the 4.3 with an new HEI, I also had no spark. After testing all components, turns out the module had the " wrong " pin count. The extra pin was ' waiting " for a signal from the computer from the original application vehicle which of course I didn't have. Installed a non computer module and it lit right up.

 

I was at the chevy dealer ship yesterday and they told me that the small square computor chip is a compasitor to eliminate noise in the radio. I looked into the modual and extra wire and so far everything is hooked up correctly. So far I have replaced the cap rotor coil and modual. A friend of mine is coming over today and has an extra pick up coil, the only thing left to replace i hope. To bad it wasnt a simple fix. Sure hope she starts today. If not I will be calling DUI on next friday, I will have that day off. Will give an update for any one that is interest in how this turns out.

 

Good point. I now what you are talking about. I have left that step out once before. They sure work better when all of the wires are hooked up. Im getting a real education on this one.

 

No insult taken.

 

did you check where the 3 wire plug goes into the cap sparky was talking about,for the center prong? that is the coil ground,have seen it left out,and if no ground no spark,the coil is mounted in the cap and the cap will not provide a ground without this piece

 

Yes it is there. I have also checked it with a voltage meter at the coil. 12.7 volts

 

have you figured it out yet?

 

Just updating for Anthony - he hasn't figured it out yet. Called DUI last fri and they were closed.. he's working out of town til this Fri and will call again.

 

Geeze. I will have to upload a new picture of the JEEP!! Brenda (Mrs. Anthony)