Ignition system

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Ignition system

Home > Discussion Forum > Mechanic's Corner - Electrical

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All Messages in Thread	Author	Date
Ignition system	Ernie Gentry	8-14-03
I left the ignition on for several days and now the engine will not fire. This is a '71 dodge 413. I recently converted to electronic ignition-Chrysler with the orange box. The only thing that is not new is the coil. Any advice on how and where to start checking would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Ignition system	ernie gentry	8-14-03
The battery is fully charged and spins the engine. no fire
Re: Ignition system	John Ogletree	8-14-03
This may be too obvious but maybe your battery is dead. Is there any sign of life such as radio power or lights?
Re: Ignition system	Sam Watson	8-14-03
Do this: obtain a 12 volt test light at an auto parts store.Turn the key to "run", connect the clip on the test light's lead to a good ground, touch the probe of the test light to the coil + or "BAT" terminal, light should come on, if not, move the probe to the ballast resister and check there for power, do both ends of the ballast resister, you should have power on both ends, if not, replace it. If it checks out OK, go back to the coil and touch the probe to the coil's - or "DIST" terminal, the light should not come on, if it does, the ignition controller (orange box) is fried. If the light doesn't come on, then have someone crank the engine while you hold the light on the coils's - terminal, the light should blink as the controller fires the coil. Do all this then come back here with the results as there is one more item to check.
Re: Ignition system	ernie gentry	8-18-03
Sam,I ran the suggested test and the test light came on at the dist side of the coil so I replaced the ECU. Still little or no fire. I decided to replace the pick up in the distributor. At this point I had very weak, erratic fire but not enough to start the engine.Finally searched through the storage shed and found an old chiltons manual from back in the seventies when I used to do all my own mechanic work. Realised that the unit will not work without a good ground to the case. In doing the conversion I mounted the unit to the metal rim around the floor of the motor area. After running a ground wire from the unit to the engine everything works well. Sometimes it can be so simple!!!! Thanks so much for your help. ERNIE
Re: Ignition system	Sam Watson	8-18-03
Glad you found the problem, I guess that's why they are called CIRCUITS. Well, now you've got some spare parts. I had hoped you would have come back with the test results before replacing parts, could've saved a few bucks.