No Spark

[Rich80]

No Spark. Which are the cheapest components to replace under the distributor cap?

 

[chevyaddict]

Did it just up and quit on you? If so, it sounds like the coil although coils are pretty hardy and don't fry often. How did you determine there was no spark? Is it just not turning over or did you specifically test for this?

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

No Spark. Which are the cheapest components to replace under the distributor cap?

In the long run, only the broken ones. Fixing things that aren't broken is very expensive.

Find out what's wrong before you start shotgunning it.

 

[curtis]

take the distributor cap off and turn the engine over to make sure the rotor turn. If it turns, then not likely any kind of mechanical problem. No turn big trouble. May be simple like blown fuse for the ignition.

 

[Robin7TFour]

howdy pard'ners, while you have the cap off ,remove the rotor. look for dark spots in the center. top and bottom sides. it is common for them to 'burn thru',given the voltage that goes through the rotor.
that is the cheapest part under the dist cap

Bubba...working the night shift

 

[Rich80]

Did it just up and quit on you? If so, it sounds like the coil although coils are pretty hardy and don't fry often. How did you determine there was no spark? Is it just not turning over or did you specifically test for this?

I had this problem a few years ago. The car has been sitting all summer. By pulling off the plug wires, there is no arching of spark. I bought a coil and (I think its called the igntion Module). Turned out to be the module if thats what its called. Its in the distributor under the coil and you have to apply dialectric grease before installation. Is that what its called?

 

[curtis]

Yup, that sort of banana shaped thing is the module., it has thre or four prongs for hooking up the wires. The grease stuff supplied with the new unit helps the module dissipate heat so it won't burn up and quit. Use it per the instructions. Also if you put in a performance module, usually you need a performance coil to match or one or the other will eventually fry.

So with the new parts is the problem solved?

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Well, so far you have named the two most expensive parts in the ignition. The pickup coil is next if it still isn't working. You will have to pull the distributer and remove the gear and shaft to replace it.

I'm on the edge of my seat! Did it work?

 

[JHL]

Over the years and many cars with HEI`s the most common fault I found for no spark is the small carbon rod which contacts the brass strip on the rotor arm gets worn away or better described as burnt away ???. I would check that first before replacing anything. Not sure if you can buy them seperately now but I bought a few at one time to keep as spares and they only cost pennies. Pop in a new one and give the rotor arm a rub with some emery paper to clean the contact area.

Worth a try before the expensive bits

J.

 

[chevyaddict]

Also, it doesn't take much to fry that modulator (the banana-shaped thing). If you had an accidental grounding (like a wrench hitting the battery post and something else) it pops it immediately.... In other words it is not insulated very well against voltage surges.