Non starter

Furgus · Post by **Furgus** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:25 pm

Over Xmas I got all keen with my old SWB S3 landy & got it running again. It had been starting fine but with no radiator - so never for long. Well I finally hooked up a rad & fan & decided to take it for a test run. I managed to get most of way round a loop on my property when it stated loosing power going up a hill - after that it started cutting out - then I got it stuck on a big log. I managed to get it unstuck with a chainsaw etc but couldn't start it anymore.
On Saturday I towed it back to the shed & started having a go at it. At first when I turned to motor over on the starter without the dissy cap there was a spark between the points when open - I guessed they had closed up so threwa new set in & a condensor as well. Now no spark there - but nor is there one at the plug :roll:

In fact there doesn't appear to be any power from the coil - so a new coil went in & no change

Any suggestions of what to try next?

mud_slinger · Post by **mud_slinger** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:28 pm

checked the fuses? and ballast resistor?

Furgus · Post by **Furgus** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 6:43 pm

Fuses are fine & no ballast resistor.

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:20 pm

Have you checked power to the coil?

These old ignition systems are pretty simple, if it's not the ballast resistor or the coil it has to be the feed to the coil.

Matt.

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:07 pm

then I got it stuck on a big log. I managed to get it unstuck with a chainsaw etc but couldn't start it anymore.

just what did you cut with the chainsaw? :roll:

niblik · Post by **niblik** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:17 pm

fweddy wrote:just what did you cut with the chainsaw?

lol

Furgus · Post by **Furgus** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:28 pm

fweddy wrote:

just what did you cut with the chainsaw?

Good call - but I checked that :!:

ToySurf · Post by **ToySurf** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:36 pm

Just put a wire, from your battery to the positive side of the coil. Then crank the motor and see if it goes.

Furgus · Post by **Furgus** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:10 pm

There's plenty of poer to the coil but no spark - plus the coil is getting f'ing HOT :fire: any ideas (remember it's a new coil - my bet's the HT lead

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:15 pm

Sounds like the ballast resistor to me, does it have an external resistor pack?

Matt.

mud_slinger · Post by **mud_slinger** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:15 pm

is the dizzy cap ok? the bit in the middle that touches rotor is not missin or naffed?

dctecho · Post by **dctecho** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:34 pm

If there's no spark spark at points and the coil heating up check the wiring from the negitive side of the coil (ie the wire to the distributor)also make sure the conection on the points has not turned and shorted to earth, or the insulation were the wire comes into the dissy is worn.You can check this by pulling the wire off the negitive side of the coil turn the ignition on with the points open then touch the wire back on coil,If it sparks there is a short to earth in the dissy somewhere.
hope this helps
Cheers Scotty

giovanni · Post by **giovanni** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:16 pm

Sounds like the primary has shorted to ground.The coil will heat up if the points are closed or the primary is shorted.Go with Scottys plan.With the points open, see if you can get a spark by bridging the points gap with the blade of a screwdriver.If the ignition points connection is the early type with a insulated post the fibre washers that insulate the pig tail eye terminal may not be in the correct position.Also if it has a tachometer or kill switch the wiring to these could also be the culprit.Make/buy a 12volt test light and trace the 12v supply from the coil.Keep us posted.