Hello everyone,

I had spark before (car started/ran fine) and this latest incident came about from the car simply sitting for a couple of weeks. Also, prior to the current incident, the car had sometimes (rarely) died while driving (cranked but wouldn't fire); hasn't done that for several months. I simply waited about 30 mins and it started and ran fine.

Now, I've verified pwr going to good coil; but no spark going from the coil to the distributor. I've checked all the immediate electrical connections going to the coil and pulled the distributor and checked the ground wire (no shorting) and verified that the points/condenser are good. I'm at a loss where to go next.

 

You have a bad coil. My rallye did the same exact thing I was pulling my hair out then my buddy told me to change the coil that fix the problem. Go buy your self a coil.

 

So, if you've got power going to the coil, but no spark coming out, why do you say that the coil is good?

This is exceptionally easy to check.

• Go out to your car.
• See if it starts.
• If it does, sorry, you can't test it, because it works.
• If it doesn't, remove a spark plug wire, connect one end to the coil and the other end to a grounded spark plug.
• Disconnect the wire(s) from the (-) coil terminal and connect a jumper wire to it.
• Turn on the ignition (We're ASSuming that you have power to the coil, like you said).
• Touch the jumper wire to ground, then quickly pull it away.
• You should have a big hot spark at the plug.
• Do this again a bunch of times because it's fun.
• No Spark or Bad Spark = Bad Coil.

- Eric

 

If you get a good spark from the coil as Eric suggested in the test, make sure your points are set to around .016 which equates to 30 deg on your dwell. If it still won't start then replace your condenser.

 

•If it does, sorry, you can't test it, because it works.

LOL!

 

I have had points that have crowded from sitting long period Cleaned them with a small file engined fired right up.

 

-MDchanic

I said the coil was good because I borrowed it from my other '70 Olds and that car runs just fine.

 

Ah. That makes sense.
Might even be the sort of information to mention first, to save other people from wasting their time typing pointless posts trying to help you.

How did you verify that the points and condenser are good?

Turning on the power, with the points off the cam, and opening and closing them manually, with the coil connected to a spark plug, as described above, might be helpful.

- Eric

 

Replace the condenser.... try to buy a good quality replacement, Those Chineseum units don't last....

 

Darn new coils don't last either. Installed a new one on a customer's car a few months ago along with a bunch of engine detail work. We were at his place standing in front of the car with it idling, talking over some stuff. Suddenly it gets quiet...car has died.

On a whim went back to the car and quickly changed to the coil we had pulled off. Car started right up.

And the coil that died came highly recommended as a "good, well made coil" by an ignition guru (not anyone on this site). He forgot to add....." works great until it dies a premature death".

 

I replaced the distributor on my Toronado with a rebuilt Cardone unit. Looked nice. As I was setting the timing, the car just died. Was revving up to check how the timing moves, and suddenly car just dies.
Tried the whole day to get it to start. Recharged battery, checked fuel. Decided to just start putting the old parts back in. Put old ignition coil in. Still nothing. Old distributor, car starts up on first turn.
Ok, take distributor back. Second one. Next day. Car ran for maybe 5 min…dies again.
Did not want to replace the distributor AGAIN, so started taking the parts out. Put the old condenser in, and car starts. Got a blue streak condenser and points, and so far all good.
Just because it’s a new part, doesn’t mean a thing.
I probably spent 5 hours diagnosing, driving around because they put a 99 cent part instead of a $5 part in there.

 

+1.

Have been driven crazy by a no-start condition on a new rebuild, caused by a bad, new condenser, myself.

- Eric