UPDATE- Ignition Solved! If you are working by yourself, how can you check the ignition?, Checking for spark.... |
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UPDATE- Ignition Solved! If you are working by yourself, how can you check the ignition?, Checking for spark.... |
billh1963 |
Jun 28 2013, 06:12 PM
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#1
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Car Hoarder! Group: Members Posts: 3,402 Joined: 28-March 11 From: South Carolina Member No.: 12,871 Region Association: South East States |
I don't have any helpers this weekend and want to check for spark at the spark plugs (or at least spark from the coil). I don't have a remote starter so what options do I have for testing (seeing) the spark?
Probably a simple problem but I'm at a loss..... UPDATE 7-26: The cause of my problem was a shorted out tachometer! Once the tachometer was unplugged, I had ignition. A replacement tach was put in and the car runs fine. I would have never thought of that..... |
914_teener |
Jun 28 2013, 06:29 PM
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#2
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,198 Joined: 31-August 08 From: So. Cal Member No.: 9,489 Region Association: Southern California |
I don't have any helpers this weekend and want to check for spark at the spark plugs (or at least spark from the coil). I don't have a remote starter so what options do I have for testing (seeing) the spark? Probably a simple problem but I'm at a loss..... Screwdriver with an insulated handle....and size to fit inside the spark plug cap.... and then find a good ground somewhere SAFE...... not on the fuel rail! Look for a strong spark. |
r_towle |
Jun 28 2013, 06:33 PM
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#3
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,574 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
Distributor cover off
Rotor off Key on in ignition to run position Take a screw driver and open and close the points...you should see a spark. If you want to do the plug wires , use an ohm meter |
billh1963 |
Jun 28 2013, 06:36 PM
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#4
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Car Hoarder! Group: Members Posts: 3,402 Joined: 28-March 11 From: South Carolina Member No.: 12,871 Region Association: South East States |
I don't have any helpers this weekend and want to check for spark at the spark plugs (or at least spark from the coil). I don't have a remote starter so what options do I have for testing (seeing) the spark? Probably a simple problem but I'm at a loss..... Screwdriver with an insulated handle....and size to fit inside the spark plug cap.... and then find a good ground somewhere SAFE...... not on the fuel rail! Look for a strong spark. So....maybe run a wire from the screwdriver to the door latch or some other exposed metal that I can see while turning over the engine? No points...electronic ignition |
stugray |
Jun 28 2013, 06:41 PM
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#5
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,824 Joined: 17-September 09 From: Longmont, CO Member No.: 10,819 Region Association: None |
you can also:
pull plug wire, hook to extra spark plug & lay plug on engine case. insert small piece of paper in the plug gap. crank engine. if you can find a hole in the paper, then you have confirmation of spark. if you do not see one, that is NOT definitive evidence of NO-spark. (positive test only). DISCLAIMER: dont try this with fuel leaks..... (or any open spark tests for that matter ;-) Stu |
malcolm2 |
Jun 28 2013, 07:21 PM
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#6
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,745 Joined: 31-May 11 From: Nashville Member No.: 13,139 Region Association: South East States |
I just bought a cool tool from harbor freight. $4.99 at my store, $3.99 7/1. It does not fit our spark plugs or the plug connector. But I found a place lie it down and mock it up where all the connections were touching and it worked. It is called a spark tester.
HF tester You put it between the installed plug and the plug wire. Look thru the back window and see the blinky light as you crank. All my trunk lids are off, so it makes it easier to see, but I bet you can work it out. |
brant |
Jun 28 2013, 07:45 PM
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#7
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,624 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
A remote starter switch is 10 or so dollars at the flaps and could be built for less
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worn |
Jun 28 2013, 09:54 PM
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#8
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can't remember Group: Members Posts: 3,156 Joined: 3-June 11 From: Madison, WI Member No.: 13,152 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
I don't have any helpers this weekend and want to check for spark at the spark plugs (or at least spark from the coil). I don't have a remote starter so what options do I have for testing (seeing) the spark? Probably a simple problem but I'm at a loss..... I set it up and look through the back window. Buti also slotted the engine cover hinge tabs so I can pull the cover intwo minuteson my own. A mirror can help. |
Dave_Darling |
Jun 28 2013, 10:02 PM
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#9
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914 Idiot Group: Members Posts: 14,986 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Silicon Valley / Kailua-Kona Member No.: 121 Region Association: Northern California |
Brant's got the best answer--remote starter switch. Just a push-button and some wires is all it takes.
--DD |
TheCabinetmaker |
Jun 29 2013, 04:03 PM
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#10
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,300 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
Another here for a remote switch. Its just a momentary switch,like a starter switch on a boat, or old tractor
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McMark |
Jun 29 2013, 04:37 PM
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#11
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914 Freak! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 20,179 Joined: 13-March 03 From: Grand Rapids, MI Member No.: 419 Region Association: None |
Timing light. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) If it flashes, it sparked.
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billh1963 |
Jul 26 2013, 02:10 PM
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#12
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Car Hoarder! Group: Members Posts: 3,402 Joined: 28-March 11 From: South Carolina Member No.: 12,871 Region Association: South East States |
Problem solved...see update in first post
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Bartlett 914 |
Jul 26 2013, 04:20 PM
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#13
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,216 Joined: 30-August 05 From: South Elgin IL Member No.: 4,707 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Problem solved...see update in first post Shorted Tach? Wow I wouldn't have gone there first that's for sure. There is probably an electrolytic cap at the input that went bad. It would act like a shorted condensor which is also a capacitor. Electrolytic caps have a limited life span. |
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