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No spark, but coil is good - help!


grotflo

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My '73 won't start, but it cranks.  Totally stock points-style ignition system, new black coil, new wires, new ballast resistor.  Car started fine earlier today, but was hesitating seemingly randomly around 2K-3K rpm on my drive to work.  Came out after work to start it, and won't start.  Using a multimeter, I confirmed that:

 

1) the coil is getting power

2) the coil isn't bad (appropriate resistance readings across both primary and secondary circuits)

 

To be safe, I double checked the points gap (it's .016").  I have new wires, cap has spring-loaded contact working normally, rotor and points look fine.

 

Am I missing something?  How do I test from here?  I tried setting a spark plug wire on my valve cover with a screwdriver next to it, but didn't see any spark.

 

(I secretly am hoping this is the nudge I need to pick up a 123Ignition distributor and be done with points.)

1973 BMW 2002 (Verona)

1975 BMW R90S (Silver Smoke)

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I would ensure youre getting spark pull each plug put it in the wire, ground it and have someone crank the motor over you should see a bright white/blue spark. Stupid but make sure youre wires are in the proper order. This will be a simple fix, prob just overlooking something. I was having some intemittent missing between 2k-3k turns out I had bad wires. Make sure your rotor is pressed all the way down and if u havnt changed it..change it

 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

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Okay I’ll try to make sure each wire is getting spark. On the topic of the condenser, would a faulty unit prevent it from starting, or just cause bad running?

1973 BMW 2002 (Verona)

1975 BMW R90S (Silver Smoke)

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You should be able to still start the car with a bad condenser might just run poorly which may be your issue between 2-3k. IMHO i would say to get a new one to elimate it as a problem they are cheap enough

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Simeon, you win a prize. It was simply a bad condenser. The plastic insulator had broken, allowing metal-to-metal contact. Swapped it out, and it started right up. I also replaced the cap, rotor, and points while I was in there. Thanks for the help!

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1973 BMW 2002 (Verona)

1975 BMW R90S (Silver Smoke)

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