Any Atlanta or other Pelicans have a loaner cdi?

[vintagecarlover]

I've got what I think is a failing 6 pin cdi box as I've got spark to the distributer cap but stops there. My guess is weak spark and not enough to push through cap to plug wires. Before I pay for a cdi rebuild is there anyone with a known working cdi that I can borrow to test fire my 83 SC? Also would buy urs if it's for sale and works. If in Atlanta I'd drive up and pick it up. Thx. Mark

[stormcrow]

Mark,
If you have spark to the distributor cap the cdi is not the problem. Check the inside of the cap to see if the spring loaded center pill is there. I had a distributor cap where it was broken and the car wouldn't start.

You need to look elswhere first.

[vintagecarlover]

Old cap is clean. Brand new cap and rotor have same no start issue. Also swapped coils. Is there some pic up in distributer that is bad?

[stormcrow]

Mark,

Check your coil - see if you get continuity across the +/- terminals. One other thing when you turn the ignition to the on position does the CDI box make a noise or high pitched sound.

The other problem could be the distributor pick-up may not be making contact with the lugs on the distributor. There are shims in the distributor that wear down and the posts on the distributor become lower. I had an issue where the car would just shut down while driving.

Found out it was the shim in the distributor being worn. You can grab the shaft and pull up on it to see how much vertical play you have. That could be the issue.

Also check the posts on the old distributor compared to the new distributor. Some newer distributor posts are shorter.

[vintagecarlover]

Steve. Yes on continuity on coil and yes on plug into center wire getting spark when grounded and cranking. Don't have new dizzy. Just new coil. dizzy is strapped down of course. Do I need to remove the bolt that holds dizzy to the engine to check for any movement or play? Not sure how to check for any vertical or lateral play as you're saying? Any further help is appreciated.

[stormcrow]

Remove the distributor cap and rotor. Then pull up on the shaft. Also check the height of the rotor installed and compare it to the height of the lugs inside the distributor cap.

How many ohms did you get across the coil?

[vintagecarlover]

Steve. I have maybe between 1/16 and 1/8" of movement upwards. Maybe less. Radial movement when down is none. If I lift I get that same amt of play as up/down. Feels tight but that's a first time for me to check. On both coils I checked continuanty not resistance which I'll check.

[stormcrow]

Can you check your old distributor cap to see where the rotor tracks on the inside terminals? If they are at the cery edge then that could be where the problem is.

[vintagecarlover]

Steve. The old cap had carbon 2/3 way up ea contact. I filed those clean as first step. Def not low. They covered 80% of each contact point.

[Elombard]

Green wire?

[vintagecarlover]

Originally Posted by Elombard

Green wire?

Erik. Happy Easter! If green wire were an issue wouldn't I have no spark at all?

[Elombard]

The green wire goes from the distributor to ...somewhere else, i was thinking it picks up after the rotor. So I was thinking its getting spark to the rotor and then a break in the green wire is not letting it continue. I dont remember what the green wire does. Does it send the pulse signal to the CDI? If so then I think you are right. Maybe try having some one crank and shake the green wire and see if it changes anything?

And Happy easter!

[stormcrow]

The green wire goes to the terminal on the cd box. It has a shielded ground. If you look at at the wires on the cdi you will see the green wire. You can pull the plug from the distributor and check for continuity.

I replaced mine last year because the insulation came off. You can purchase the plug assembly for around $60.00.