1972 Coupe with no spark

[baldwin_elias]

Hello everyone,
I'm new here and I have been reading some recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
1. I am not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
2. Battery is fully charged.
3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when ignition is turned on.
4. Fuel getting to carb.
5. Power getting to both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
6. 95% sure coil is good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
7. Points are correctly gapped.
8. Spark plugs look good.
9. Ground cable looks good.
10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly started fine right up until it was for sale.
I can't wait to get this on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely be many questions!
-Elias Baldwin,
Vermont

[Charles Gould]

Gently file or sand the points and confirm spark at the points. If that does not work, replace the condenser.
Chas Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 26, 2011, at 9:13 PM, baldwin_elias wrote:
Hello everyone,
I'm new here and I have been reading some recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
1. I am not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
2. Battery is fully charged.
3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when ignition is turned on.
4. Fuel getting to carb.
5. Power getting to both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
6. 95% sure coil is good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
7. Points are correctly gapped.
8. Spark plugs look good.
9. Ground cable looks good.
10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly started fine right up until it was for sale.
I can't wait to get this on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely be many questions!
-Elias Baldwin,
Vermont

[Elias Baldwin]

Chas,
I have power at the points. I sanded them down today. Would I see spark there when turning the car over?
Thanks,
Elias

On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Charles Gould
�
> Gently file or sand the points and confirm spark at the points. If that does not work, replace the condenser.
> Chas
> Sent from my iPhone
> On Sep 26, 2011, at 9:13 PM, baldwin_elias baldwinelias@...
> > wrote:
> > �
> > Hello everyone,
> > I'm new here and I have been reading some recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
> > 1. I am not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
> > 2. Battery is fully charged.
> > 3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when ignition is turned on.
> > 4. Fuel getting to carb.
> > 5. Power getting to both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
> > 6. 95% sure coil is good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
> > 7. Points are correctly gapped.
> > 8. Spark plugs look good.
> > 9. Ground cable looks good.
> > 10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly started fine right up until it was for sale.
> > I can't wait to get this on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely be many questions!
> > -Elias Baldwin,
> > Vermont

[TOM THIES]

Chas,  when that happen to me I sanded the points than tested to see if there was power to both sides.  I turned the motor over until the point were closed and with the key on I tested both sides.  one wire to ground and one to the points.  Use a voltage tester,  you should see voltage than on both sides.  there might be a problem with the plates and two long of screws but some one else will have to help you on that.
hope this helps
Tom

> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> Elias
> Baldwin
> To:
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Sent:
> Tuesday, September 27, 2011 4:43
> PM
> Subject:
> Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972
> Coupe with no spark
> Chas,
> I have power at the points. I sanded them down today. Would I see spark > there when turning the car over?
> Thanks,
> Elias
> On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Charles Gould
> chasgould@...
> wrote:
> > Gently file or sand the points and confirm spark at the points. If that > > does not work, replace the condenser.
> > Chas
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > On Sep 26, 2011, at 9:13 PM, baldwin_elias > baldwinelias@...
> > > wrote:
> > > Hello everyone,
> > > I'm new here and I have been reading some
> > > recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is > > > my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
> > > 1. I am
> > > not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
> > > 2.
> > > Battery is fully charged.
> > > 3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when
> > > ignition is turned on.
> > > 4. Fuel getting to carb.
> > > 5. Power getting to
> > > both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
> > > 6. 95% sure coil is
> > > good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
> > > 7. Points
> > > are correctly gapped.
> > > 8. Spark plugs look good.
> > > 9. Ground cable
> > > looks good.
> > > 10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly > > > started fine right up until it was for sale.
> > > I can't wait to get this
> > > on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely > > > be many questions!
> > > -Elias
> > > Baldwin,
> > > Vermont

[Charles Gould]

You said that you had power on one side of the points. If the points are not making contact when closed because of corrosion or debris, you will not get spark at the plugs. Check for continuity across the points when they are closed.
Yes, you should see a small blue or white spark across the points when cranking the engine over, but the spark will be much smaller than you would see at the plugs because it is low voltage at the points.
If no spark, try replacing the condenser and see if that makes it spark at the points.
Chas Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 27, 2011, at 7:43 PM, Elias Baldwin wrote:
Chas,
I have power at the points. I sanded them down today. Would I see spark there when turning the car over?
Thanks,
Elias
On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Charles Gould
Gently file or sand the points and confirm spark at the points. If that does not work, replace the condenser.
> Chas
> Sent from my iPhone
> On Sep 26, 2011, at 9:13 PM, baldwin_elias baldwinelias@...
> > wrote:
> > Hello everyone,
> > I'm new here and I have been reading some recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
> > 1. I am not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
> > 2. Battery is fully charged.
> > 3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when ignition is turned on.
> > 4. Fuel getting to carb.
> > 5. Power getting to both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
> > 6. 95% sure coil is good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
> > 7. Points are correctly gapped.
> > 8. Spark plugs look good.
> > 9. Ground cable looks good.
> > 10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly started fine right up until it was for sale.
> > I can't wait to get this on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely be many questions!
> > -Elias Baldwin,
> > Vermont

[Charles Gould]

The points make and break contact to ground to interrupt the power, so merely testing for 12 volt power at the points is not sufficient. In fact, the plugs actually fire when the points open, not when they close, as that is what breaks the dwell which allowed the spark to build in the coil.
Chas Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 27, 2011, at 7:54 PM, TOM THIES wrote:
Chas,  when that happen to me I sanded the points than tested to see if there was power to both sides.  I turned the motor over until the point were closed and with the key on I tested both sides.  one wire to ground and one to the points.  Use a voltage tester,  you should see voltage than on both sides.  there might be a problem with the plates and two long of screws but some one else will have to help you on that.
hope this helps
Tom
> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> Elias
> Baldwin
> To:
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Sent:
> Tuesday, September 27, 2011 4:43
> PM
> Subject:
> Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972
> Coupe with no spark
> Chas,
> I have power at the points. I sanded them down today. Would I see spark > there when turning the car over?
> Thanks,
> Elias
> On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Charles Gould
> chasgould@...
> wrote:
> > Gently file or sand the points and confirm spark at the points. If that > > does not work, replace the condenser.
> > Chas
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > On Sep 26, 2011, at 9:13 PM, baldwin_elias > baldwinelias@...
> > > wrote:
> > > Hello everyone,
> > > I'm new here and I have been reading some
> > > recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is > > > my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
> > > 1. I am
> > > not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
> > > 2.
> > > Battery is fully charged.
> > > 3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when
> > > ignition is turned on.
> > > 4. Fuel getting to carb.
> > > 5. Power getting to
> > > both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
> > > 6. 95% sure coil is
> > > good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
> > > 7. Points
> > > are correctly gapped.
> > > 8. Spark plugs look good.
> > > 9. Ground cable
> > > looks good.
> > > 10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly > > > started fine right up until it was for sale.
> > > I can't wait to get this
> > > on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely > > > be many questions!
> > > -Elias
> > > Baldwin,
> > > Vermont

[blake neilson]

That is good advice but a simpler method would be to turn the engine over until the points open with the ignition switch on.  Then take a screwdriver and use it to bridge the gap in the points making sure the screwdriver contacts both sides of points.  Then just make and break contact with the screwdriver and look for sparks at the points. If you see sparks then the primary side of the system should be good.  Then at the same time use a spark tester on one of the spark plug leads with the other lead connected to the other cylinder's spark plug as normal. You should see sparks at the tester.  If you see sparks at the plugs the secondary side of the coil should be good. I say should be because in some very rare cases the coil is weak but capable of making a spark in open air but not in a pressurized cylinder.
I hope this helps.
From:
TOM THIES To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com Sent:
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 6:54 PM Subject:
Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972 Coupe with no spark
Chas,  when that happen to me I sanded the points than tested to see if there was power to both sides.  I turned the motor over until the point were closed and with the key on I tested both sides.  one wire to ground and one to the points.  Use a voltage tester,  you should see voltage than on both sides.  there might be a problem with the plates and two long of screws but some one else will have to help you on that.
hope this helps
Tom

> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> Elias
> Baldwin
> To:
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Sent:
> Tuesday, September 27, 2011 4:43
> PM
> Subject:
> Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972
> Coupe with no spark
> Chas,
> I have power at the points. I sanded them down today. Would I see spark > there when turning the car over?
> Thanks,
> Elias
> On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Charles Gould
> chasgould@...
> wrote:
> > Gently file or sand the points and confirm spark at the points. If that > > does not work, replace the condenser.
> > Chas
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > On Sep 26, 2011, at 9:13 PM, baldwin_elias > baldwinelias@...
> > > wrote:
> > > Hello everyone,
> > > I'm new here and I have been reading some
> > > recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is > > > my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
> > > 1. I am
> > > not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
> > > 2.
> > > Battery is fully charged.
> > > 3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when
> > > ignition is turned on.
> > > 4. Fuel getting to carb.
> > > 5. Power getting to
> > > both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
> > > 6. 95% sure coil is
> > > good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
> > > 7. Points
> > > are correctly gapped.
> > > 8. Spark plugs look good.
> > > 9. Ground cable
> > > looks good.
> > > 10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly > > > started fine right up until it was for sale.
> > > I can't wait to get this
> > > on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely > > > be many questions!
> > > -Elias
> > > Baldwin,
> > > Vermont

[Elias Baldwin]

Today just fooling around with my test light I had power to one side of the points. I turned the engine until they were open, and the tip of my test light made a spark across the gap. From what I am reading that it a good sign! A friend of mine has a spark plug tester I might be able to borrow. But placing the plug near the block and cranking it over (with the other plug in) doesn't produce a spark....yet.

On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 8:36 PM, blake neilson
�
> That is good advice but a simpler method would be to turn the engine over until the points open with the ignition switch on. �Then take a screwdriver and use it to bridge the gap in the points making sure the screwdriver contacts both sides of points. �Then just make and break contact with the screwdriver and look for sparks at the points. If you see sparks then the primary side of the system should be good. �Then at the same time use a spark tester on one of the spark plug leads with the other lead connected to the other cylinder's spark plug as normal. You should see sparks at the tester. �If you see sparks at the plugs the secondary side of the coil should be good. I say should be because in some very rare cases the coil is weak but capable of making a spark in open air but not in a pressurized > cylinder.� > I hope this helps. �
> From:
> TOM THIES tdthies1@...
> To:
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Sent:
> Tuesday, September 27, 2011 6:54 PM
> Subject:
> Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972 Coupe with no spark
> �
> Chas,� when that happen to me I sanded the points than tested to see > if there was power to both sides.� I turned the motor over until the point > were closed and with the key on I tested both sides.� one wire to ground > and one to the points.� Use a voltage tester,� you should see voltage > than on both sides.� there might be a problem with the plates and two long > of screws but some one else will have to help you on that.
> hope this helps
> Tom
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From:
> > Elias
> > Baldwin
> > To:
> > anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent:
> > Tuesday, September 27, 2011 4:43
> > PM
> > Subject:
> > Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972
> > Coupe with no spark
> > �
> > Chas,
> > I have power at the points. I sanded them down today. Would I see spark > > there when turning the car over?
> > Thanks,
> > Elias
> > On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Charles Gould
> > > chasgould@...
> > wrote:
> > > �
> > > Gently file or sand the points and confirm spark at the points. If that > > > does not work, replace the condenser.
> > > Chas
> > > Sent from my iPhone
> > > On Sep 26, 2011, at 9:13 PM, baldwin_elias > > baldwinelias@...
> > > > wrote:
> > > > �
> > > > Hello everyone,
> > > > I'm new here and I have been reading some
> > > > recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is > > > > my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
> > > > 1. I am
> > > > not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
> > > > 2.
> > > > Battery is fully charged.
> > > > 3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when
> > > > ignition is turned on.
> > > > 4. Fuel getting to carb.
> > > > 5. Power getting to
> > > > both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
> > > > 6. 95% sure coil is
> > > > good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
> > > > 7. Points
> > > > are correctly gapped.
> > > > 8. Spark plugs look good.
> > > > 9. Ground cable
> > > > looks good.
> > > > 10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly > > > > started fine right up until it was for sale.
> > > > I can't wait to get this
> > > > on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely > > > > be many questions!
> > > > -Elias
> > > > Baldwin,
> > > > Vermont

[Elias Baldwin]

However I will add with the points closed one side of the points was still without power...

On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 8:58 PM, Elias Baldwin
Today just fooling around with my test light I had power to one side of the points. I turned the engine until they were open, and the tip of my test light made a spark across the gap. From what I am reading that it a good sign! A friend of mine has a spark plug tester I might be able to borrow. But placing the plug near the block and cranking it over (with the other plug in) doesn't produce a spark....yet.
> On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 8:36 PM, blake neilson
> blakeneilson@...
> wrote:
> > �
> > That is good advice but a simpler method would be to turn the engine over until the points open with the ignition switch on. �Then take a screwdriver and use it to bridge the gap in the points making sure the screwdriver contacts both sides of points. �Then just make and break contact with the screwdriver and look for sparks at the points. If you see sparks then the primary side of the system should be good. �Then at the same time use a spark tester on one of the spark plug leads with the other lead connected to the other cylinder's spark plug as normal. You should see sparks at the tester. �If you see sparks at the plugs the secondary side of the coil should be good. I say should be because in some very rare cases the coil is weak but capable of making a spark in open air but not in a pressurized > > cylinder.� > > I hope this helps. �
> > From:
> > TOM THIES > tdthies1@...
> > To:
> > anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent:
> > Tuesday, September 27, 2011 6:54 PM
> > Subject:
> > Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972 Coupe with no spark
> > �
> > Chas,� when that happen to me I sanded the points than tested to see > > if there was power to both sides.� I turned the motor over until the point > > were closed and with the key on I tested both sides.� one wire to ground > > and one to the points.� Use a voltage tester,� you should see voltage > > than on both sides.� there might be a problem with the plates and two long > > of screws but some one else will have to help you on that.
> > hope this helps
> > Tom
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From:
> > > Elias
> > > Baldwin
> > > To:
> > > anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent:
> > > Tuesday, September 27, 2011 4:43
> > > PM
> > > Subject:
> > > Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972
> > > Coupe with no spark
> > > �
> > > Chas,
> > > I have power at the points. I sanded them down today. Would I see spark > > > there when turning the car over?
> > > Thanks,
> > > Elias
> > > On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Charles Gould
> > > > > chasgould@...
> > > wrote:
> > > > �
> > > > Gently file or sand the points and confirm spark at the points. If that > > > > does not work, replace the condenser.
> > > > Chas
> > > > Sent from my iPhone
> > > > On Sep 26, 2011, at 9:13 PM, baldwin_elias > > > baldwinelias@...
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > �
> > > > > Hello everyone,
> > > > > I'm new here and I have been reading some
> > > > > recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is > > > > > my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
> > > > > 1. I am
> > > > > not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
> > > > > 2.
> > > > > Battery is fully charged.
> > > > > 3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when
> > > > > ignition is turned on.
> > > > > 4. Fuel getting to carb.
> > > > > 5. Power getting to
> > > > > both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
> > > > > 6. 95% sure coil is
> > > > > good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
> > > > > 7. Points
> > > > > are correctly gapped.
> > > > > 8. Spark plugs look good.
> > > > > 9. Ground cable
> > > > > looks good.
> > > > > 10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly > > > > > started fine right up until it was for sale.
> > > > > I can't wait to get this
> > > > > on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely > > > > > be many questions!
> > > > > -Elias
> > > > > Baldwin,
> > > > > Vermont

[Elias Baldwin]

Also on the list, the wire going from the coil to the points is VERY sketchy (patched, taped, etc), however power is still getting to one side of those points!
Thanks everyone.
-Elias

On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 8:59 PM, Elias Baldwin
However I will add with the points closed one side of the points was still without power...
> On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 8:58 PM, Elias Baldwin
> baldwinelias@...
> wrote:
> > Today just fooling around with my test light I had power to one side of the points. I turned the engine until they were open, and the tip of my test light made a spark across the gap. From what I am reading that it a good sign! A friend of mine has a spark plug tester I might be able to borrow. But placing the plug near the block and cranking it over (with the other plug in) doesn't produce a spark....yet.
> > On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 8:36 PM, blake neilson
> > > blakeneilson@...
> > wrote:
> > > �
> > > That is good advice but a simpler method would be to turn the engine over until the points open with the ignition switch on. �Then take a screwdriver and use it to bridge the gap in the points making sure the screwdriver contacts both sides of points. �Then just make and break contact with the screwdriver and look for sparks at the points. If you see sparks then the primary side of the system should be good. �Then at the same time use a spark tester on one of the spark plug leads with the other lead connected to the other cylinder's spark plug as normal. You should see sparks at the tester. �If you see sparks at the plugs the secondary side of the coil should be good. I say should be because in some very rare cases the coil is weak but capable of making a spark in open air but not in a pressurized > > > cylinder.� > > > I hope this helps. �
> > > From:
> > > TOM THIES > > tdthies1@...
> > > To:
> > > anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent:
> > > Tuesday, September 27, 2011 6:54 PM
> > > Subject:
> > > Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972 Coupe with no spark
> > > �
> > > Chas,� when that happen to me I sanded the points than tested to see > > > if there was power to both sides.� I turned the motor over until the point > > > were closed and with the key on I tested both sides.� one wire to ground > > > and one to the points.� Use a voltage tester,� you should see voltage > > > than on both sides.� there might be a problem with the plates and two long > > > of screws but some one else will have to help you on that.
> > > hope this helps
> > > Tom
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From:
> > > > Elias
> > > > Baldwin
> > > > To:
> > > > anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > > > Sent:
> > > > Tuesday, September 27, 2011 4:43
> > > > PM
> > > > Subject:
> > > > Re: [anzhonda600owners] 1972
> > > > Coupe with no spark
> > > > �
> > > > Chas,
> > > > I have power at the points. I sanded them down today. Would I see spark > > > > there when turning the car over?
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Elias
> > > > On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Charles Gould
> > > > > > > chasgould@...
> > > > wrote:
> > > > > �
> > > > > Gently file or sand the points and confirm spark at the points. If that > > > > > does not work, replace the condenser.
> > > > > Chas
> > > > > Sent from my iPhone
> > > > > On Sep 26, 2011, at 9:13 PM, baldwin_elias > > > > baldwinelias@...
> > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > �
> > > > > > Hello everyone,
> > > > > > I'm new here and I have been reading some
> > > > > > recommendations for 600 coupes that won't start and have no spark. Here is > > > > > > my situation and clues, and any help is greatly appreciated.
> > > > > > 1. I am
> > > > > > not getting spark. However, the engine turns over very nicely.
> > > > > > 2.
> > > > > > Battery is fully charged.
> > > > > > 3. Fuel pump, dash lights come on when
> > > > > > ignition is turned on.
> > > > > > 4. Fuel getting to carb.
> > > > > > 5. Power getting to
> > > > > > both sides of coil, and at one side of the points.
> > > > > > 6. 95% sure coil is
> > > > > > good. Swapped in a spare one to be sure and nothing happened.
> > > > > > 7. Points
> > > > > > are correctly gapped.
> > > > > > 8. Spark plugs look good.
> > > > > > 9. Ground cable
> > > > > > looks good.
> > > > > > 10. I bought the car a few months ago and it supposedly > > > > > > started fine right up until it was for sale.
> > > > > > I can't wait to get this
> > > > > > on the road. Thanks again for any input on the first of what will surely > > > > > > be many questions!
> > > > > > -Elias
> > > > > > Baldwin,
> > > > > > Vermont