Electrical based question New MSD 2 Coil (novice)

[jackneuf]

My 73 240 was having trouble starting so I purchased an MSD coil 2 for the Z car and the car fires right up. Then moments later the gauges did not work and all my exterior lights stopped working and here I am scratching my head.

Everything worked before MSD 2 coil accpet the car did not start, the speedo and rpm gauges still work but just the electrical related stuff seems to have just fried. I did not see any blown fuses either

What do you think the cause is?

What is the first step to making it all work again?

Edited May 14, 2011 by jackneuf

[ajmcforester]

Won't feel like you did wrong sometimes when you replace an electrical part this happen exspecialy with a 40 year old car.

Check the fuses first I bet you might have old fuses or the wrong ones in. Sometimes it is hard with the old style to see a burnt fuse to try a new one or jumping the fuse to see if things work. If it was a fuse look for stuff under #1. If it still don't work we have a short. Look for some burnt wire or discolored electical parts, if you can't find anything start at the fuse box and start testing for bad connections, you may have a burnt up wire.

That is a good coil choice it has the same output as the factory.

#1 Assuming everything is stock since you didn't state else wise. You should look to see if something caused resistance with the ignition system that would burn out the fuses. When was the last time points and condenser was replaced? Is their corrosion on the resistor's coil, hows the condenser on the resistor?

[jackneuf]

I pretty sure it has an upgraded distributor and it has an upgraded alternator on it.

and i will get tp replacing the fuses........

[Arne]

Did you check the fusible link? If that goes you lose most of the electrical system.

[jackneuf]

Found out the issue i think ...... battery is just being drained really fast. Attempted to start the car this morning and nothing no click just dead. Charged the battery and walla car started up the dash lights, gauges and everything working. YAAAA then about 8 minutes later no gauges working, and 30 seconds later the z just stops moving.

Obviously the alternator is not charging the battery, right?

[FastWoman]

Jack, the problem is more than a faulty alternator. If it were JUST a bad alternator, your electrical system wouldn't run down that fast. At least a few possibilities come to mind that could be true in any combination:

1. Your alternator is bad.

2. Your voltage regulator is bad.

3. Your battery doesn't hold much charge.

4. You have an enormous short that drains your system very quickly.

It's hard to guess which combination of these factors is in play. However, you can pull your battery and alternator and have them tested at an auto parts store. If you know your battery and alternator are good, try measuring your running voltage. It should be around 14 volts. If not, you might have a bad voltage regulator. Also keep an eye on your ammeter. What is it telling you?

[ajmcforester]

Take it to a parts place and test the battery and alternator

[jackneuf]

Will do this saturday thanks for all of the help

[jackneuf]

Found the problem..... My z had the 280zx conversion done and mechanic installed a regulator and tossed the plug causing some wierd stuff to happen.