No Spark

[Rich80]

Here it is. I crank her over and there is no spark. I pulled the distributor cap, cleaned the rotor and contacts in the cap, replaced the coil and ignition module and still no spark. There is a red wire that plugs into the side of the distributor cap--If I put a meter on the wire with the ignition on she reads 12 volts. So I know I got 12 volts at least as far as the distributor cap... Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Robin7TFour]

hello
look for discoloration around the center of the rotor. they tend to'burn' there and bingo, no start

Robin

 

[DDLS3]

Occasionally a coil will fail completely(open or short) and not produce high voltage. Often times as Robin7TFour said, the culprit is a burned center contact that takes the voltage from the coil to the rotor.

 

[sethmerica]

Did you try checking the module in the distributor. I had the same "no spark" problem and it turned out that the module had burned out. It was actually a reacurring problem- what had happened was one of the screws that held the module down was stripped so after some rough driving the module would become loose and burn out. I hope this helps.
Oh yeah, nice '80!

 

[Rich80]

Just replaced Cap and Rotor. No Spark. Sooooo thats a coil, ignition module, cap, & Rotor and No Spark yet. I guess its time to yank the distributor and check the pickup coil....... Or just have it rebuilt....

 

[mike weyman]

i have seen on my old car (not a vette ,but a 350) the lead wire had a crack right where it went through the side of the distributor check for continuity on the wires leading thru the distributor. hope this helps. mike

 

[Rich80]

Yes have continuity.....

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Rich,

I have had the experience of having the connector leads on the coil that plug into the 12V lead push up into the coil housing and even though the connector is clipped, the connection is not made. Take the cover off your coil with the wires hooked up and look at the spade connector that plugs into the 12V wire and if necessary, push it down into the connector.
My .02 for what it's worth.

 

[Rich80]

Yes. Idid push the terminals down and have 12 volts flowing through...

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I guess the pickup coil's the only thing left.