Technical Help!!!! No spark

[jota69]

I have a 1968 fiat 500 with a 126 650cc engine. The car was sitting for around 2 months without being turned on and when I tried to turn it on the engine will turn over but wont start, I checked and Im not getting any spark. What could be the problem?

 

[tjmra]

When you say no spark, we need to know if this is at the lead from the Coil to the Distributor or from the leads from the Distributor to the Plugs. Pending on your response, we can work back from there.

Regards

Joe R

 

[jota69]

When you say no spark, we need to know if this is at the lead from the Coil to the Distributor or from the leads from the Distributor to the Plugs. Pending on your response, we can work back from there.

Regards

Joe R

I have no spark at all comming from the coil to the ditributor

 

[oopsadaisy]

Assuming you have a conventional set up, i.e. distributor, points etc, and not electronic ignition:

You say the car has stood for two months? Has the battery been fully charged? You may have enough battery power to turn the engine but not enough to turn the engine AND fire the coil. Do the panel lights dim significantly when you operate the starter? This is usually the biggest give away of a low battery.

From here on it it is a process of elimination I'm afraid.

Having checked the gaps and cleaned the plugs, I would check out the points next.

Points clean and gap correct? Is the moving arm moving freely? Is the rotor arm clean and in good shape? Are the posts in the head of the distributor head in good order and clean? Centre carbon post OK?

Plug leads in good condition?

Turn the engine over with the distributor head off and watch the points. If there is excessive sparking across them try a new condensor.

Failing this, try a new coil.

These engines are very simple, so if you are sure it is an ignition problem one of the above should do the trick.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[jota69]

The battery is fully charged and in good condition, i checked again and I have spark from the coil to the ignition but it seems weak, also when I open the points with a screwdriver there is spark between the points. I think it might be the condensor. Im in the US right and parts are not readily available but I know lots of old cars used condensors, does a condensor from any orher car work?

 

[Toshi 975]

The dreaded condensor is the achilles heel of the ignition system and if you are running a standard set up I would carry two spares. On my cars I run either the 123 electronic or the Accuspark modules for reliability.

 

[jota69]

The dreaded condensor is the achilles heel of the ignition system and if you are running a standard set up I would carry two spares. On my cars I run either the 123 electronic or the Accuspark modules for reliability.

I got a new condenser from a chevy nova that I will install tomorrow to see if that fixes the problem, I will keep you guys posted

 

[jota69]

Changed the condenser today, now I have spark but the car will still turn over but it will not fire up. What else should I check?

 

[oopsadaisy]

If you now have sparks then look at the fuel side.

Are the plugs coming out dry after you crank the engine over?

If they are, check fuel pump, fuel filter if fitted then move on to the carburettor.

Check main and idle jets for blockage - check that the float is opening the fuel inlet.

Good luck!