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No spark

Tiny
DRAGONFLY23
  • MEMBER
  • 1969 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I already replaced the cap, coil and the plugs and still no spark.
Friday, July 5th, 2019 AT 4:54 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

I need to know what type of ignition you have. Does it have points/condenser? Also, what size is the engine? Is the ignition rotor in good condition? Also, with the distributor cap off, have someone crank the engine to see if the rotor is turning.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, July 5th, 2019 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
DRAGONFLY23
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The ignition is HEI, it does not have points/condenser. It’s a new cap, new rotor and new coil. The engine size is 307, the ignition rotor is brand new, the rotor does turn.
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Saturday, July 6th, 2019 AT 6:48 AM
Tiny
DRAGONFLY23
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Also, there is no spark to the distributor.
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Saturday, July 6th, 2019 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome back:

I'm not sure what you mean by no spark to the distributor. Please explain. Also, have you checked the ignition control module? If possible, let me know what year system you are dealing with. I'm trying to do things from memory.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, July 6th, 2019 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
DRAGONFLY23
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The starter turns the motor and with a tester on the wire to the spark plug, I have no spark. I also checked 12 volts to the distributer when the key is on and there’s nothing. I changed the module and distributer. This is a 1969 el Camino. I am now wondering if it’s the ignition switch.
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Saturday, July 6th, 2019 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome back:

Okay, someone has changed it to HEI. It came with points and condenser. Lets try something. There are two wires in the plug on an HEI distributor, the hot wire and the tachometer wire. Run power to the hot wire on the HEI primary plug and see if it starts or if you get spark.

I attached two pictures. They show the first and second type of HEI connectors. See if it is what you are dealing with.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, July 6th, 2019 AT 10:09 PM
Tiny
DRAGONFLY23
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Wheres the best place to grab the hot wire from to plug into the cap?
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 7:42 AM
Tiny
DRAGONFLY23
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I ran a lead to the battery and the car started. Without the lead, I tested 12 volts at the battery then I tested the fuse box with the ignition key on and the voltage did not stay consistent. I fired the car up and it died within seconds. That’s when I put the hot lead from the battery and it started right up and stayed consistent. Does this sound like it might be ignition switch related?
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome back:

It could be the switch or a wiring issue from the switch. Now for the nightmare. The power lead to the distributor needs traced to see if it is damaged, disconnected, and has continuity. If the wire is good and make contact where it should, then suspect the switch.

I wish I had a wiring schematic for you, but even if I did, someone modified the car and it wouldn't be right. And yes, since the power doesn't seem constant, either you have a weak connection, bad switch (that can't handle the power anymore), or even the wire to the distributor can be broken internally (under the insulation). You may want to just replace the wire to see if power then stays constant.

Let me know if you have other questions or need help.

Joe
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
DRAGONFLY23
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thanks Joe, I’m back at work tomorrow so I won’t be working on it for a couple days. I’ll get back to you soon. Thanks for all the help.
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 9:08 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome back:

Happy to help. Sounds like a really great car. Let me know how things work out for you.

Joe
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 9:18 PM

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