Spark/Ignition testing
 

Hi, I have a 71 911E and it wont start. It's getting plenty of fuel, i can smell it in the engine compartment. I had the MFI rebuilt last year and they also put in a perma tune ignition. I don't believe the car is getting any spark, but Im not sure how to test for that. Where should I hook up my volt meter and test for spark?

pull a plug wire, connect an old but good sparkplug to the wire and lay it on the engine. get someone to turn it over and look for spark. DO NOT hold it

^^+1 ...or use a timing light.

Like I mentioned, I can smell gas in the engine compartment after I crank the engine, is this really such a good idea? I think buying a timing light is a better idea.

the smell of gas is not necessarily a good indicator that your engine is getting fuel. On a carbureted engine, I would pull the main fuel hose to either A) the fuel filter, or B) the carburetor itself, to ensure that fuel is making it towards the combustion chamber.

This does not mean that your vehicle is not suffering a spark issue. +2 on the timing light...they are inexpensive and are a good multipurpose tool.

Remember, this is a fuel injected engine. Is there a way to hook up a volt meter on the cap/rotor to see if 12volts is getting through?

Do NOT hook up any meter to the coil or permatune box.

Follow the troubleshooting instructions on the permatune web site.

If you put a meter on the coil you will blow the box.