Can't get spark -- grounded points?

[techweenie]

A friend is trying to resurrect an engine that has sat for a long time.

He's tried everything to get spark, but the spark only happens as the ignition key rotates from the starter position to 'on.' There's no spark while cranking.

I've put a VOM on the points and the arm of the point set seems to be grounded (as is the base). I've never dealt with this kind of problem before, and I don't know how to advise. We've switched point sets; same issue.

Any thoughts?

[Bill Verburg]

That's correct the points make and break a circuit to ground. Sound like an issue in the ignition switch.

Check the B wire in the CD box harness(middle one) for +12v

[techweenie]

Thanks, Bill. I'll drop over later today and check that.

[kasi]

Hi techweenie !

I just had the same problem 2 weeks ago on my 911T from 70 but with a 77 engine ! ! I turned the engine by hand with ignition on and every time the point's opened i got a spark but not when i cranked the engine !! So i took a wire connected it to the fuse box in the trunk and hooked ít up to the CDI ! The car started right away !!

Hope this will help !!

Greetings

[CliffBrown]

Bill

I've seen this happen with older cars with bad wiring connections or a less than full charge on the battery. Bad ground connection or poor contact with the connections at the starter.

Ignition switch also.