Cranks with fuel, but no spark

[Cutlass372]

Hey, I was messing with my car today trying to figure out my headlight issue(low beams dont work but I get power to the light connecters with the switch on) when the car stalled out and wouldn't start again... I have a wire running from the battery to the + on the coil because something is wrong with my ignition switch (or so I was told). I can smell fuel and pulled one of the plugs but dont see any spark. Its really wierd because I had the car running and it just cut out, died and wouldn't start again. The other day I had a battery box on the car with the coil wire hooked to the battery, as got out of the car I noticed the coil area smoking so I quick disconnected it. The box was on for a little while before I noticed it and it was very hot, yet started when I was ready to move it. This car is making me crazy because I just cant seem to narrow anything down and when i try, something else ends up not working... If anyone In the PA area would be willing to help me out one day straightening out my electical issues that would be awesome. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Elliot.

[Bart Hoedemaker]

I have to look up the problem in the book. It is with your coil i guess. I had this problem also many times.

[Cutlass372]

Yeah I just can't seem to figure out the wiring issues with this car... I took off the alternator and i'm going to take it to Pepboys to see if they can test it for me (pretty sure its bad). The car ran fine up until yesterday when it just cut out and stopped getting spark. The cap and wires are good and pretty new. When I have the coil connected to the battery and turn the key I can heard the relay clicking in the passenger side, but when I have the starter and the other wire hooked to the solenoid it does nothing. I really need some advice on what to replace and how to fix my ignition.. Any help would be great.

Thanks, Elliot.

[Bart Hoedemaker]

Just have your coil checked, than you know more. Put a spark plug on a cable direct from the coil, before the distributor and check if it sparks.

[Cutlass372]

So I just hooked a spark plug to the coil and got a spark but not a very big one. I used my light tester to test the + and - on the coil and they both light up (- was dimmer). But when I put the tester into the end of the coil where it goes to the distibutor I got nothing. I also tested wires inside the distributor and they were hot too... When I tryed to start the car, still nothing just cranks away. What else should I check or how can I troubleshoot this problem?

[lbpd719]

if you have an ohm meter, check the wires up to the coil. I have had them go bad before and corrode inside the insulation.. If they show resistance, you are screwed.. Points? have you checked them to see if they got loose and jumped?

[Cutlass372]

Don't have access to an Ohm meter and I haven't checked the points. What should the setting of the points be? like whats the gap? I suppose that is a possiblilty, but just strange because the car died while it was running and wouldn't start again. This electrical nightmare is driving me crazy... I don't have the money to just throw parts at it so I need to find the problem fast. I don't know where else to turn..

[m4xwellmurd3r]

I would say to buy a digital multi meter first. you can get one for liek 25-30 bucks at the auto parts store.

[d240zx2]

Sounds like a coil failure. $15 will replace it...

[DeesZ]

Coil &/or points would be my first guess. I'd check the points first (if you are running pionts). Clean them well for a smooth contact, and gap them to FSM specs.

[Bart Hoedemaker]

Try another coil, and change the cables.

[Cutlass372]

Figured it out!!! My points were getting fried up because of the way that I have it wired. I took some sandpaper to them and it started right up. Im gonna pick up an ignition switch tomorrow and an alternator and see if that fixes some of my problems.