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Non starter
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:25 pm
by Furgus
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
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?
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:28 pm
by mud_slinger
checked the fuses? and ballast resistor?
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 6:43 pm
by Furgus
Fuses are fine & no ballast resistor.
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:20 pm
by Mattman
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.
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:07 pm
by fweddy
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?
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:17 pm
by niblik
fweddy wrote:just what did you cut with the chainsaw?
lol
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:28 pm
by Furgus
fweddy wrote:
just what did you cut with the chainsaw?
Good call - but I checked that
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:36 pm
by ToySurf
Just put a wire, from your battery to the positive side of the coil. Then crank the motor and see if it goes.
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:10 pm
by Furgus
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
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:15 pm
by Mattman
Sounds like the ballast resistor to me, does it have an external resistor pack?
Matt.
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:15 pm
by mud_slinger
is the dizzy cap ok? the bit in the middle that touches rotor is not missin or naffed?
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:34 pm
by dctecho
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
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:16 pm
by giovanni
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.