Solved: 18R-G Igniton Problem

[twentyEight]

Yesterday when I went to start my 28, it tried to kick over but then it stopped trying (starter motor continuing only)...

So, I thought I'd check for spark, and low and behold - no spark from the coil... I replaced the coil with a new one, but still no spark!

I'm thinking this might be the resistor, but I wanted to get a few opinions before I replace it...

[river]

Hi,

Where did you check the spark? From the coil or from one of the spark leads?

If you checked the spark from the spark leads and still no spark, then check the breaker-points within the dizzy (assuming mechanical points) in case they are totally stuffed or shorting to something.

A common sympton of a ballast resistor failure is the engine starts okay but dies after it starts running.

seeyuzz
river

[o_man_ra23]

I have a theory:

You havent done a dizzy service in a while.
When did you last change/do the following:
Spark Plugs - should replace yearly
Ignition Leads - should replace every 2-3 years depending on brand
Points - should replace yearly
condenser(big cause of no ignition)
Dizzy Cap - should replace yearly
Rotor Button - should replace yearly
set points gap(or dwell angle) - should do every 6 months
check resistance of ballast resistor (as River sed, you have the wrong symptoms)
check timing - should do every 6 months

Also check the wires that go from the dizzy to the coil, and check that they are connected to the correct terminal. Check voltage to dizzy, you may have blown a fuse (check fuse panel), or internally broken a wire (harder to find, check wiring diagram and trace wire back to find where it loses voltage, or take to auto sparky)

I would say you jumped the gun when you replaced the coil... should always do a few tests before replacing anything. Visual inspections of dizzy cap, rotor and points will usually give their condition away.

Good luck, let us know how you go.

Cheers, Owen

[twentyEight]

Thanks for your help guys... I'll replace the condensor and check the rest while I'm at it and hopefully I'll be able to figure it out...

Where did you check the spark? From the coil or from one of the spark leads?

I checked the spark from the coil lead...

[twentyEight]

New Condensor & Points... Still creating no spark!

[river]

Hi,

Isn't there a fuse for the ignition? If so, have you checked it?

seeyuzz
river

[twentyEight]

Well if there's a blown fuse, I can't find it...

[twentyEight]

Another thing I forgot to mention is the Tacho is bouncing back and forth while cranking over...

[river]

Hi,

When you turn the ignition to "on" do the oil/ammeter etc lights comes on? I'm wondering if your fusible link is cactus.

And there should be a 15Amp "Engine fuse" that may be blown. WHen you say you haven;t seen it... does that mean your 15A fuse is okay or you cannot locate where the fuse is?

seeyuzz
river

[twentyEight]

Hi,

When you turn the ignition to "on" do the oil/ammeter etc lights comes on? I'm wondering if your fusible link is cactus.

And there should be a 15Amp "Engine fuse" that may be blown. WHen you say you haven;t seen it... does that mean your 15A fuse is okay or you cannot locate where the fuse is?

seeyuzz
river

Sure do...

And the "Engine fuse" in the fuse box is fine, I even swapped it with another 15Amp, just to make sure...

[river]

Hi,

Okay, that means your fusible link is okay. The fuse......????

seeyuzz
river

[twentyEight]

Sorry, we keep changing replies on each other...

[river]

Hi,

Do you have an ammeter/multimeter to see if +12V is getting to the fuse when you tyr and start the engine?

Is it normal ignition or you have the transistor spark thing of later 18R-Gs?

seeyuzz
river

[twentyEight]

Hi,

Do you have an ammeter/multimeter to see if +12V is getting to the fuse when you tyr and start the engine?

seeyuzz
river

No, but if I remove the fuse, the Oil/Battery etc lights go out so I'm guessing it's making a difference!

[twentyEight]

Is it normal ignition or you have the transistor spark thing of later 18R-Gs?

You've lost me on that one!