Coil / starting problem ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ibjoker69 · 05-04-2003, 07:44 PM

I am having problems with starting, the coil is not giving out any spark. There is power to the pos+ side of the coil with the switch on, but there is also power to the neg- side. Is it suppose to have power to the neg- side with the switch on? Why else would it not spark? Thanks in advance for the help, Joker.
I wanted to add this is not an HEI system.

Gordo · 05-04-2003, 08:55 PM

Sounds like your using a test light and checking both sides of the coil, you are completing the circut with your test light and it will light up on both sides, as long as the points are open. My guess would be to check the condition of the points, dwell and wiring inside the distributor. That's where I would start looking.

ibjoker69 · 05-04-2003, 09:11 PM

Nope useing my muti meter and it is 12.4v on each side. Everything is new even the coil but I think it grounded out and may have gotten hot ( There was a third wire comming from the pos+ side that was just loose). Also I thought that it only got 12+v with the starter engaged and it had a volt drop (resister) prior to the coil to keep it from getting to hot? Joker

Gordo · 05-04-2003, 09:31 PM

Yes, you will get a reading on both sides even with your meter. If you disconnect the pos lead to the coil, the neg side should now read 0.
Until you have a load on that resister wire it will read battery voltage. If and when the engine runs again, take another reading at the pos side of the coil while it's running, you should get a reduced voltage reading.
Do you have a dwell scale on your muti-meter? If so attach one lead to the neg side of coil and the other to a known ground, then have some one crank over the engine, your looking for a dwell reading of 30 degress, if it's more or less adjust as necessary, if your not getting a reading at all I would look into the distributor for problems, points, condensor, wiring etc.

05-04-2003, 07:44 PM	#1
ibjoker69 hahaha Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bakersfield, Ca USA Posts: 131	Coil / starting problem ? I am having problems with starting, the coil is not giving out any spark. There is power to the pos+ side of the coil with the switch on, but there is also power to the neg- side. Is it suppose to have power to the neg- side with the switch on? Why else would it not spark? Thanks in advance for the help, Joker. I wanted to add this is not an HEI system. __________________ 69lwb, 29 A coupe hotrod, 55 chevy hardtop, Last edited by ibjoker69; 05-04-2003 at 07:56 PM.

05-04-2003, 08:55 PM	#2
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Sounds like your using a test light and checking both sides of the coil, you are completing the circut with your test light and it will light up on both sides, as long as the points are open. My guess would be to check the condition of the points, dwell and wiring inside the distributor. That's where I would start looking. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

05-04-2003, 09:11 PM	#3
ibjoker69 hahaha Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bakersfield, Ca USA Posts: 131	Nope useing my muti meter and it is 12.4v on each side. Everything is new even the coil but I think it grounded out and may have gotten hot ( There was a third wire comming from the pos+ side that was just loose). Also I thought that it only got 12+v with the starter engaged and it had a volt drop (resister) prior to the coil to keep it from getting to hot? Joker __________________ 69lwb, 29 A coupe hotrod, 55 chevy hardtop,

05-04-2003, 09:31 PM	#4
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Yes, you will get a reading on both sides even with your meter. If you disconnect the pos lead to the coil, the neg side should now read 0. Until you have a load on that resister wire it will read battery voltage. If and when the engine runs again, take another reading at the pos side of the coil while it's running, you should get a reduced voltage reading. Do you have a dwell scale on your muti-meter? If so attach one lead to the neg side of coil and the other to a known ground, then have some one crank over the engine, your looking for a dwell reading of 30 degress, if it's more or less adjust as necessary, if your not getting a reading at all I would look into the distributor for problems, points, condensor, wiring etc. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.



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