Posted by Bruce, CC 27 MKIII, Moonstruck (12.100.98.227) on May 28, 2004 at 14:46:01:
In Reply to: No spark after changing points, condenser, etc. posted by Bruce, CC 27 MKIII, Moonstruck on 12:54:08 05/24/04:
Sorry I can't tell you exactly what the problem was, I just decided to start with an all-new set of points, plugs, condenser, cap & rotor. It immediately had spark and ran like a champ.
From a couple other posts previously, though, I got some good advice:
1). Get one of those little 12v tester lights (looks like a little awl with a ground wire leading out). Attach the ground to solid metal on the engine (a ground, obviously), and check for power at the positive side of the coil. That is marked with a +, so its easy to find. If you have power there, it is a good thing.
2). Go to the points, and check for power at the wire connection. That wire leads to the + side of the coil, so if you're not getting power there, you have a wiring problem.
3). With the plugs out, grab your engine crank, and (without touching the tip) ground the coil output wire (goes to the center of the distributor cap) against the engine, and turn over the engine slowly. You should get a spark. This will tell you if the points are acting properly as a switch, and causing the coil to fire. If so, do a final check of your point gap, put the cap & rotor on, and it should run.
Hope this helps,
Bruce
Fair Winds,
Bruce