No Spark

Ok I was cruising down the road and the engine just quit no bang no smoke. The motor will turn over, after further inspection I was getting no spark out of the coil. I got it towed home, and did some testing. I first replaced the coil. thier is no power to the coil when the power is off, with the key set to the on postition I have power, so I know power is getting to the coil, and the ignition switch is working, but I am still not getting a spark. I called a friend up and he indicated it could be the distributer causing it. but unfortunitly that is not a part I can get at a local shop, or 4wd or quadrotech. Does any one have any suggestions what it also might be, and where to get a stock distributer. Any idea's would be great.

 

What engine is it? If its a dauntless 225 you might have to order it through the Vintage 4 wheel drive hardware catalog. Although Autozone should be able to "get it". Did you check the points set? Thats usually what it is.

 

The body of a distributor is a mechanical part, not an electrical part. It won't wear out all at once - but the electrical parts can. The electrical parts of a distributor are easily available at your FLAPS - cap, rotor, points, condensor, wires.

Have you tested for spark from the coil? I'ts not clear from your previous posting. If you position the distributorso the points are closed, place the end of the coil wire next to ground, turn the key on and open and close the points manually, you should get a spark. If the condensor is shorted, or the points adjustment slipped so that the points are always closed, you won't get spark.

 

Yes it is a 225, and I called 4wd and they dont carry it. And neither did autozone. Right now I have no spark what so ever out of the coil. I tried two other coils, but with the same results.
I was also not sure on how to test it? take the coil wire to ground? I am not real familiar with the distributer and how to test it. This Jeep is a learn as I go any help would greatly appreciated.

 

Do you have a meter?

 

id bet that if u hit ur points with a good point file that will fix ur prob i had the same prob an that what it was mine wason my 73 cj with 304 shoyld be bout the same set up i think but not sure but it sould like ur point to me

 

ok dumb question where r the points? under the distributer cap? and yes i do have a meter

 

my 225 engine was sitting in a garage for 15 years. I bought the jeep for 600, wouldn't start. I filed the points, runs like new... Take off the distributor cap, there is a big metal thing with springs on it (the mechanical advance). It dosn't come out, but look under it and there is a points set. its got two contacts that open and close, and I believe white insulation? maybe you can find a picture online? anyways, the points sets are suppose to be changed every 3000 miles or somthin, i don't remeber (very often), so all you have to do is losen one screw, and the points set will slide out. don't take the screw all the way out or you'll probably lose it. I've learned from experience that a green ground screw from a household outlet has the same thread. the points get pitted and corroded. before you even clean em up, when you have the points in your hand, squeeze them together and see if you can get continuity from one side to the other. if you do, the points are good, and thats not your problem. If you don't, breathe a sigh of relief. its and easy fix. file em down clean and flat. reinstall.

 

under the cap all thier is a rotor, and something that looks like a capacitor, and two wires, one that stays inside the disributer and the other is goes to the coil. thier looks to be a snap spiring I peeked under it I see a spring am i in the right spot?

 

If everything checks that you can check, you might try taking the condensor out ot the picture and try starting it. Sometimes they fail, and will cause a no spark condition. Just be sure to not run it too long that way as it will burn up a point set quickly.
Mike
:smash:

 

your talking about the condensor. this is a picture of my distributor on my 225. the mechanical advance is the whole rusted unit on top, the condensor is the silver cylinder on the right, the points set is that yellowish unit on the right. there should be one screw holding it in. just back the screw out a little bit and the points set will slide out. when you get them out, check if they're black or pitted (have indents in them).


http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e29/strider380/000_0131.jpg

 

condensor is on left, and i'm an idiot

 

]Yup, that silver barrel shaped do-hickey. Just take the wire loose from the points, reinstall everything else and give it a good crank. :driving: If it fires, you've found the problem. If not, then check point gap. I've nursed more than my share of rigs out of the woods with that trick, they just all of a sudden went quiet. But by now you got 'er home so get some replacement parts and have at it. :smash:
Mike

 

Disconect the dist wire from the coil. attach an ohm meter to it. Crank the motor. The needle should jump every time the points close. If not, then you problem is with the dist. Pop the cap and crank the engine. If the rotor doesn't move, then you sheared the dist drive gear roll pin. If so, then replace the points and condenser. If the needle does jump, then your problem is between this point and the battery. You should have voltage coming out of the coil dist post. If you do, then connect a jumper wire to it. Pull the coil wire and place it 1/4" from the block. Touch,then remove the dist wire to the block. Every time you do this you should get a spark from the coil wire. If you do, then check the cap and rotor for damage. If not, then check the coil for voltage going in. If you have voltage in, then you have a coil problem.

 

Well It was that darn condenser!!! SWEET I put a new one in and it fired right up, AND it has fixed my hesitation that I had in higher RMP's also!! Thank you to all, I could not have figured that one out.. I never played with points and stuff before. Man what I feel better, and let me tell you that MOTOR runs like a raped ap!! :v6: R)

 

Good going!!!!