Chasing a weak spark, lessons learned

-

dei3639

New Member
Joined
May 24, 2021
Messages
3
Reaction score
5
Location
maryland
Hey folks, just wanted to share a quick story. I was chasing a weak spark, no start condition on my 1966 Barracuda. It has a 1985 360 it it with electronic ignition. I was driving it and the oil pressure sending unit hemorrhaged so I towed it home. I pulled the distributor to get to the leaking unit. (all wiring and cap still attached, just straight up and straight back in) . I went to start it and it wouldn't fire. Timing light showed flashing on coil wire, but none on ignition wires. Pulled cap, nothing showing, but replaced it and rotor just to be sure. Nothing. Checked volts with key on at coil, 6 volts, while cranking 9 volts. Grounded pick up to dist. with spark tester on coil, orangish spark. spent next week tracing every conceivable loss of voltage while cranking, even sunk to replacing module, I HATE throwing parts at a problem.

Checked this forum, lot of great posts on here from really knowledgeable guys, still no luck. My buddy says, 'is it 180 off?' I say no way....then I checked, sure enough, somehow the damn thing spun on me and I wasted all that time.

Moral of story, check simple things first! You'd figure after 40 yrs of turning wrenches I would know that, I appreciate all the info on this forum and just wanted to give back.
 
Hey folks, just wanted to share a quick story. I was chasing a weak spark, no start condition on my 1966 Barracuda. It has a 1985 360 it it with electronic ignition. I was driving it and the oil pressure sending unit hemorrhaged so I towed it home. I pulled the distributor to get to the leaking unit. (all wiring and cap still attached, just straight up and straight back in) . I went to start it and it wouldn't fire. Timing light showed flashing on coil wire, but none on ignition wires. Pulled cap, nothing showing, but replaced it and rotor just to be sure. Nothing. Checked volts with key on at coil, 6 volts, while cranking 9 volts. Grounded pick up to dist. with spark tester on coil, orangish spark. spent next week tracing every conceivable loss of voltage while cranking, even sunk to replacing module, I HATE throwing parts at a problem.

Checked this forum, lot of great posts on here from really knowledgeable guys, still no luck. My buddy says, 'is it 180 off?' I say no way....then I checked, sure enough, somehow the damn thing spun on me and I wasted all that time.

Moral of story, check simple things first! You'd figure after 40 yrs of turning wrenches I would know that, I appreciate all the info on this forum and just wanted to give back.
Until you stick your finger in plug hole number one to crank and find TDC you dont know the pain. lol
 
Jus' sayin............but 9V at the coil while cranking IS PRETTY DAMNED LOW
 
Jus' sayin............but 9V at the coil while cranking IS PRETTY DAMNED LOW
67dart273, I followed your instructions to the letter, much respect, obviously you're a great wrench. Thanks for your help, truly appreciated.
 
Hey folks, just wanted to share a quick story. I was chasing a weak spark, no start condition on my 1966 Barracuda. It has a 1985 360 it it with electronic ignition. I was driving it and the oil pressure sending unit hemorrhaged so I towed it home. I pulled the distributor to get to the leaking unit. (all wiring and cap still attached, just straight up and straight back in) . I went to start it and it wouldn't fire. Timing light showed flashing on coil wire, but none on ignition wires. Pulled cap, nothing showing, but replaced it and rotor just to be sure. Nothing. Checked volts with key on at coil, 6 volts, while cranking 9 volts. Grounded pick up to dist. with spark tester on coil, orangish spark. spent next week tracing every conceivable loss of voltage while cranking, even sunk to replacing module, I HATE throwing parts at a problem.

Checked this forum, lot of great posts on here from really knowledgeable guys, still no luck. My buddy says, 'is it 180 off?' I say no way....then I checked, sure enough, somehow the damn thing spun on me and I wasted all that time.

Moral of story, check simple things first! You'd figure after 40 yrs of turning wrenches I would know that, I appreciate all the info on this forum and just wanted to give back.
Never stab a distributor
with the cap on already.
:thumbsup:

Glad you caught it.
 
-
Back
Top