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All of a sudden no spark

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by mickeykelley, Feb 27, 2016.

  1. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor


    Awwww... you spoiled the surprise. :rofl:
     
  2. mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Refer to post #16 after doing the test that way, then refer to post #17 for your proper response.
     
  3. mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Finally home and time to test. First no spark at plugs. No spark coming from the coil wire, but I am getting power to coil. So ohmed the coil and it show 4.7. If I understand the steps above, it should be higher. Tomorrow after church, I'll stop by a parts place and have them verify. Maybe it's simply a coil.
     
  4. mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Spent the day but still not there, but closer. First of all I finally got the new coil in. It checked out fine. Getting 12 volts to it but not getting spark. Decided to check coil wire with meter and showed no continuity so replaced. Still nothing so check a plug wire, no good. So I decided to go ahead and put all the new stuff in. Strange that none of the plug wires had continuity, but we're good before. So replaced all wires and plugs. Then took off distributor cap, and moisture. So wiped it out and left open to sun for several hours. Points gap was fine but decided to just finish it off with the new stuff and verified getting fuel to carb. Still no spark, but things checked ok. Was getting continuity between battery ground and engine. Then checked the ground strap and appeared fine and wiggled it to make sure not broken. Strange thing is now I get spark. I inspected that ground strap closer and see no issue, but now works? Strange but will order replacement with next order.

    But it won't start, acts like backfiring. I checked the order of 1 3 4 2. Maybe I got wires off when replacing cap. So found this on another forum:
    image.jpg
    The only thing is my clips are at 1/7 o'clock position. I have not changed the distributor at all and it was running fine before. My understanding is that the distributor can only go in one way, thus no possibility of being out 180. It was running before and I have not messed with distributor position. Before I adjust the timing, any ideas? I was going to try to get number 1 at top but I don't see any marks on pulley, which is a double groove, but only 1 belt to generator. Where is the timing mark? Looking for ideas. I also notice the coil seems to get very very warm at the base. I don't remember coils doing that.
     
  5. Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    OUCH! I hate when that happens. The timing marks are hard to see on the crank pulley, there is a little notch on the edge , a 5 degree notch and a TDC notch on the timing cover. When you are on the compression stroke on #1 and the 5 degree notch is lined up the rotor should be pointing at one of the wires inside the cap. that would be number one then follow the firing order for the rest. Hope this helps. Some times if someone put the oil pump in without timing the distributor number one may be a different spot. I hope this helps.
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2016
  6. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    "Then checked the ground strap and appeared fine and wiggled it to make sure not broken. Strange thing is now I get spark."

    Is it possible something was grounding out the points on the hot side, and the "wiggling" fixed it? Might explain the heat in the coil too. Remember, the spark occurs when the voltage is cut off by the points opening and "un-grounding" the coil.

    Seems like you should at least check that your rotor is basically pointed at #1 terminal when the #1 cylinder is at TDC.

    You can pull that sparkplug, rotate the engine by hand until you get compression at that hole, to get it close. Possibly then you can see or feel for the piston at TDC, or find the timing mark on the crank pulley. It may be just a small nick in the rim.
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2016
  7. mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    That was the game plan but I couldn't find the mark. Is it on one of the V pulleys or is there a balancer hidden back up in there?
     
  8. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    It's on the pulley, should line right up with the pointer tab.
     
  9. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    If I remember right you can see the piston.
     
  10. mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Willie is running. Pulled the #1 plug and marked the very little notch with chalk so I could see it. Got lined up and was off 1 hole on wires. Got them right and fired right up. Thanks to all for input.
     
  11. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Good news!
     
  12. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

  13. Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Great.. Another success story. :)
     
  14. mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Non jeep buddy but mechanic also suggested the Pertronix