No Start Condition

[Christopher R.]

Trying to determine a no start condition. Pretty sure it's electrical. Battery and starter are good - cranks well. I suspect the aging coil. Maybe the distributor. Working alone. No helper to crank the engine while I hold a plug wire close to a ground. My troubleshooting was interrupted. I won't get back to this until tomorrow. One question.

With the ignition switch in the "ON" position, shouldn't I get a spark when I hold the coil wire to ground?

By "coil wire" I mean that wire that goes from the center of the coil to the center of the distributor.

[Mark E.]

Re: No Start Condition

Trying to determine a no start condition. Pretty sure it's electrical. Battery and starter are good - cranks well. I suspect the aging coil. Maybe the distributor. Working alone. No helper to crank the engine while I hold a plug wire close to a ground. My troubleshooting was interrupted. I won't get back to this until tomorrow. One question.

With the ignition switch in the "ON" position, shouldn't I get a spark when I hold the coil wire to ground?

By "coil wire" I mean that wire that goes from the center of the coil to the center of the distributor.

No. Only while cranking.

To crank the engine by yourself, jump the starter solenoid using a remote starter button or screwdriver.

[Pat H.]

Re: No Start Condition

This happened to me a few years ago when I did the tune up on my 59. I have original points (in the foil box) and a condenser D-204 in the box as well. I installed everything and it was a no start. The car ran fine before I did the tune up. By process of elimination, it was the condenser that was bad, even thought it was new in the box. I installed the old condenser and it started right away. Still running strong

[Terry D.]

Re: No Start Condition

And the solution was ??

[Pat H.]

Re: No Start Condition

I just replace the condenser with the old one. Still running fine

[Terry D.]

Re: No Start Condition

Was asking the OP

[Leo G.]

Re: No Start Condition

So can we look forward to what the problem was. Many of us are interested.

Drive em safe

Leo

[Christopher R.]

Re: No Start Condition

Sorry for the delay. I didn't get to this until recently. Before I replaced any parts, I tried to start the car. No luck. Not even a cough. I replaced the coil, and it started right up.

I suspected the coil because I had just driven 90 minutes at highway speeds on a very hot day. While the temperature gauge read 180, it was very hot under the hood.

I'm going to carry a spare. Any recommendations?

[Richard M.]

Re: No Start Condition

I'm going to carry a spare. Any recommendations?

Napa Part# IC12

[Leo G.]

Re: No Start Condition

Thanks for the response and explanation. I believe I will pack a spare when I deem it necessary.

Drive em safe

Leo