1962 FI Starting/Electrical ? Problem

[John T.]

Car started fine when driven a few months ago. Now turns over well but no attempt to actually start. Checked all the obvious on an FI car. Drive cable is fine, etc. (lossen a nozzle when cranking and gas sprays out). Using FLAP's inline spark checker it seems very weak. Battery shows 12.63 volts but the high side of the ballast resistor is only 11.88 (low side is 5.67). Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks John

[Danny Pantuso]

Re: 1962 FI Starting/Electrical ? Problem

try spraying Quick start direct into throttle body and see what happans, Danny

[Jack H.]

Re: 1962 FI Starting/Electrical ? Problem

If you have an add-in solid state ignition module instead of real points/condensor, that battery voltage may be TOO LOW for the module to power up and generate spark... The answer here, is to fully charge the battery.

[John T.]

Re: 1962 FI Starting/Electrical ? Problem

Thanks for your input. The car is completely stock and to answer Dan's thoughts starting fluid has no effect. Is the difference between the battery voltage and the high side of the ballast resistor normal or is that a potential clue ?

[Erich C.]

Re: 1962 FI Starting/Electrical ? Problem

Did you check the voltage on the low side of the resistor while cranking. It should read approx. battery voltage as the resistor is bypassed while cranking.
The direct voltage comes from a wire connected to the "c" terminal of the starter solenoid ( see page 12-14 in the ST-12). This was done to aid in starting the engine.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1962 FI Starting/Electrical ? Problem

Voltage reading depends on whether the distributor came to rest with the ignition points open or closed when you measured. If the points were closed, the circuit through the coil was 'made' and you're seeing the voltage drop across the ballast from current flowing through the coil's primary (V= IR)...

[Danny Pantuso]

Re: 1962 FI Starting/Electrical ? Problem

Have you check the dwell with a meter by just rolling it over should have about 29 on the dwell meter or try a new set of points and cond.

[Danny Pantuso]

Re: 1962 FI Starting/Electrical ? Problem

also check the points for spark with key on and moving the rotor back and forth should have spark to the coil wire also if ok check for spark to the spark plug end to the spark plug and that ok then Ingition is ok must be timing problem

[Bill W.]

Re: 1962 FI Starting/Electrical ? Problem

When my FI 62 sits for the winter (Oct til April) it takes about 1/2 hour and a few battery charges to start it. as long as it is started once about every 10 days it is fine.