Power to coil

[1rad280]

My 1976 280z balast resistor has a black and white wire that is hot when the key ON. A black and blue wire has power only when cranking the engine and another black and white wire that goes to a capasitor. When I crank the engine no spark from the coil but when the key is on ACC the coil wire sparks. I have a mallory coil, mallory distributor. Any Ideas?

[Curtis240Z]

Sound like something is wired wrong. You shouldn't have power to the ignition coil when the key is in the ACC position.

From a 1978 280Z wiring diagram:

The black w/white stripe powers the ignition relay.

Blue w/white stripe goes to the ballast resistor.

Blue wire goes from the ballast resistor to the ignition coil.

Was it running previously? Since you have an aftermarket coil and distributor I hope the installer wired it correctly.

Edited September 5, 2008 by Curtis240Z

[1rad280]

Can you tell me what color these wires are?

[Curtis240Z]

It is hard to tell from the picture, but is looks like a blue and maybe a blue or green wire on one side of the coil. There is a red wire and another wire on the other terminal. Definitely not stock wiring.

[1rad280]

Ok I am think i may have almost figured this out im getting power and the coil is working and the distributor is working but only when the key the last click befor start.

[Curtis240Z]

Good, the last click before START is the ON position, which is when you want the coil working and of course during the START position too.