New fj40 owner with ignition problems

[LOBLOLLYJONES]

Hey all, new fj40 owner here so please be gentle. I purchased a 74/w 3spd f motor a couple weeks ago and drove it 300miles home w/no problems. Last night i developed a consistent miss/sputter and ended up not being able to drive over 40mph and limped back home.

Today she won't crank. I have no fire from the coil, so I'm hoping that is the problem, but I have read most related tech threads and realize it could be something else. Is it(coil) a part I can get from the local auto parts store or do I need to order one from a specialty shop? Any info would be helpful. Happy wheelin'.

 

[bsmith123]

A few more checks to do

Do you have a light bulb type circuit tester?
or a multi-meter ---check for voltage at the pos and neg side of the coil

if not you can try running a wire straight from the pos term on the battery to the + side of the coil to see if it starts to rule out ign sw etc

if you hve a points type ign its a good bet the problem is there
not an FJ expert so I dont know what year has what

make sure the points close and the contacts touch when off the ramp, when on the ramp make sure they open

it is the points opening which gives you the coil spark
they have a pivot and a screw wih a sort of slot to move them back and forth gap them with a feeler gage to spec and I bet that'll get you going

if the points are all burt up on the contacts replace them


try swapping the coil wire for one of your plug wiresand hold the plug end of the wire close to bare metal and check for spark

hope that helps

 

[LOBLOLLYJONES]

ok, so i replaced the coil- no luck. upon closer inspection, my points set was broken, so I went to get a set. aargh!! doesn't match the one in there. Trying to find a part # for it. FJ was manu in nov 73 so should have right set, but by pic it has the older set. Also ordered a new condenser and resistor, may as well, everything looks original. I guess after this i'll be left with the dizzy itself? Parts come in Wed. We'll see what happens.

 

[matt.mcinnes]

ok, so i replaced the coil- no luck. upon closer inspection, my points set was broken, so I went to get a set. aargh!! doesn't match the one in there. Trying to find a part # for it. FJ was manu in nov 73 so should have right set, but by pic it has the older set. Also ordered a new condenser and resistor, may as well, everything looks original. I guess after this i'll be left with the dizzy itself? Parts come in Wed. We'll see what happens.

Dizzy cap and Rotor button replacement are just good maintenance and you know they are new along with the points and condenser.

 

[rsbcruiser]

Nice 40 LOBLOLYJONES. I have a 55 with the same ignition. Had the same problems with points, they ALWAYS sold me the OTHER set. Is your Distibutor worn? If it is worn, it will keep smacking those points around. Look and see if you have a "backwards" retart distributor. If it is retardo and trashed you might want to start lookin for a replacement. Those years respond might nicely to an ignition "upgrade".

 

[fj40_73]

the 40 looks good. sounds like your on the right track. Keep at it and let us know how it goes.

 

[LOBLOLLYJONES]

still no spark

ok, update. I replaced the points, condensor, coil, plug wires, cap and rotor are all in new condition, the gap is set and appears to be working pretty good although my dizzy has obviously seen alot of revolutions. Still no fire. Going back to do some more research. Any other ideas?

 

[Pin_Head]

Check your battery/cables/starter. If it won't crank, it won't make a spark.

 

[LOBLOLLYJONES]

Just call me dumba**

Got back under the hood this morning, started looking for anything I may have missed and LO and BEHOLD!! I forgot to reconnect the wire from the starter to the dizzy. Put it back on, and she started right up. Yeehaw. I still have a miss/sput at around 42mph, but it only happens once in a while and only does it one time. Other than that, she's running great. Took her up to the wichita mtns for a little wheelin this afternoon.

 

[bsmith123]

glad to hear it

Glad to hear you go it running!