Ignition Problem

[norcalsvt]

Was idling the car in the driveway for 10 minutes today & then it died all of a sudden. Would not start back up. When I crank the engine it just turns over & over, but never starts.. Wasn't working on anything ignition related so I can't figured out what went wrong. I have gas coming out the the carb & have 12v at the coil. Could the pertronix ignitor module go bad while idling? If so, would it cause the engine to die when running? Thats the only thing I can think of, but I don't want to buy another module for $80 unless I am sure thats the problem.

 

[fvike]

If you don't have spark, I think that the Pertronix has gone bad. Pull a plug and check for spark. With 12V at the coil, and no spark, the fault has to be in the distributor.

 

[xoxbxfx]

are you getting spark at the distributor or the plugs? They make a tester but there is the good ole fashion screw driver in the plug wire end and get it close to a ground while cranking... thats the next step I would take.

 

[norcalsvt]

I will have to recheck the spark. I tried to do it with a screwdriver, but I was leaving the tip on the ground instead of close to a ground.

 

[rbohm]

before you decide the module is bad if you get no spark, check to see if you are getting voltage through the coil. an open winding will cause the same problem.

 

[norcalsvt]

before you decide the module is bad if you get no spark, check to see if you are getting voltage through the coil. an open winding will cause the same problem.

I just checked for spark by pulling the wire at the distributor & putting a spare spark plug in the end. Turned off the lights in the garage & cranked the engine. No spark seen. I rechecked & I did have 12v on the positive side of the coil. i just changed out the plug wire from the coil to the distributor & still no spark. I also tried a different coil, cap & rotor with the same issue. I am at a loss here.
Checking for voltage through the coil, would this be putting a 12v test light at the end of the plug wire that goes from the coil to the distributor? If so I tried 2 coils & neither lit up when the ignition key was turned on.
Maybe I'm not checking for spark the right way. Don't see how I can have no spark at the distributor if I have 12 volts going to it with a 6 month old MSD coil. Maybe it's the Pertronix again. If i can somehow prove it's the Pertronix maybe it's still under warranty since I bought it a few months ago?

 

[rbohm]

if you have 12v at the negative terminal on the coil, then you have voltage through the coil, and the problem will be in the distributor or the control module.

 

[norcalsvt]

if you have 12v at the negative terminal on the coil, then you have voltage through the coil, and the problem will be in the distributor or the control module.

Ok I will order another module. I did put the 12v test light on the Negative side of the coill & then grounded the other end. As soon as I turned the key to on it lit up.