Help! must go to work tomorrow, no spark

g rad · 08-03-2008, 05:37 PM

My 76, s for the first time won't start and I need to go to work tomorrow.. I have no spark to the platinum plugs, and no spark at the points,, swamped a spare CDI in and nothing... Do the points spark as much with CDI as the older ignition? Plugs are getting wet with fuel but not saturated, yet.... Has been running below normal.. not setteling down at idle, no backfiring,, maybe a bit rich from looks of the plugs any help will be grateful... back in a few minutes, will have another attempt... thanks george

BlueSideUp · 08-03-2008, 06:04 PM

do you hear the CDI making noise? Mine has a prominent whining sound when it's energized, not to be mistaken for the fuel pump sound.

g rad · 08-03-2008, 06:13 PM

Ya bouth CDI units had wine,, the points are correct at .012 and openig but no spark... they look good,, just don't know it they should spark like the old ignitin used to.... I have no way of checking the coil.... and it was reving to 1600 rpm when I shut it off last...yesterday.. I'll have another look,, thanks,

BlueSideUp · 08-03-2008, 06:23 PM

check to make sure the points are not grounding out some how even though they are open. I had the exact same problem and found out a washer mounting the points to the distributor was rotated and grounding them out.

take your multi tester and check for continuity between the spade connector on your points and the distributor body with the points open.

g rad · 08-03-2008, 07:23 PM

Thanks for the help,, I am calling it a night... called a workmate so will work on it after work tomorrow........and will check with the multimeter..... george

47silver · 47silver's Garage

my 75 had the black wire fromthe points rubbing the distributor cam and was grounding out. found the problem when i put in a set of pertronix.