Now I've gone and done it... no spark after tune up

[peiserg]

ohyeah... did a tuneup to save money.. now car cranks but no start. Changed to new plugs/wires new fuel filter and pcv valve... truck ran great before hand.. now won't start..

checked for fuel delivery at carb. Grounded center wire from coil to dist. cap on the engine, and only get occasional spark. As far as I'm aware.. I didn't touch the unit at all, except to remove the old spark plug wire and plug in a new one.

I have the XR700 electronic conversion and a 1976 vacuum advance dist on my 1975 fj40.

I also tried a new coil I had sitting around. I presume the new coil (toyota oem) is working, but it's been sitting for 5 years on the shelf.

If i'm stuck buying a new ignitor, is there an "upgrade" from stock? I'd hate to spend $300+ (SOR price) if there's something better.

thanks. gerry

 

[Pin_Head]

disconnect the - wire at the coil and momentarily ground the - lug and see if you get a spark from the center wire of the coil.
A 76 is a points type distributor, so did you replace the points and gap them to .017?

I don't know what a XR700 is. If it is a points replacement and the coil can make a spark, then maybe the pickup or ignitor is bad.

Usually when things go bad after you fool with your truck, it is usually something you did rather than coincidence.

 

[FF LC FREAK]

Did you put your plug wires on in the right order? Should be 1 5 3 6 2 4.

Good luck!

 

[peiserg]

Yes, the xr700 is the SOR electronic conversion kit to delete the points. It uses some sort of infared eye inside the dizzy to eliminate variation from the eventual wear of the dizzy shaft.

Yes I'm pretty sure the plugs are connected in the correct order... even if they were not, that does not explain my lack of spark from the center wire when i ground it against the truck.

Pin Head,

you've always led me in the right direction. As of now, I have a trip in a few days time, and don't have time to fix the truck myself, so I've taken it to a mechanic. I don't know if he has exp. in such an old setup, so any advice you give me will be duly forwarded! So advise away!!


thanks. And I will print out your first recommendation to show him.