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No spark from ignition coil

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fitzy

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"I have a 1989 Stingray with 3

"I have a 1989 Stingray with 3.0L engine (4 cylinders). Cranks but will not start after storing for winter (ran OK last Fall). No spark coming from ignition coil. I get 12V at (+) and (-) terminals when points are open; and 6V at (+) and 0.7V at (-) when points are closed. Voltage at both terminals drops to 6 when cranking. Replaced ignition coil and still no spark. Get 12V from wire from coil (to distributor cap), so that seems OK.

There are two wires on (+) terminal: purple/yellow (from starter) and purple (resistance wire I think from alternator). There are two wires on (-) terminal: black wire (to distributor cap) and gray wire (to wiring harness). Disconnected gray wire and still no spark. Replaced points, condenser, rotor, and cap in May 2008. Points seem to be opening and closing OK (and spark). Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Thanks."
 
The "condenser" is not

The "condenser" is notorius for killing a points ignition. Did you check for spark at the cap end of the coil wire and at the plug wires? Clean the battery cables at all 4 ends and fully charge the battery.
 
"Thanks Guy; I changed the con

"Thanks Guy; I changed the condenser and the engine started. I didn't know why that was the case, so I did a little research. I had originally thought that the only function of the condenser (capacitor) was to prevent arcing of the points. I didn't realize it also functions to enhance the high voltage discharge from the coil (by creating an "LC" circuit with the primary winding). Many thanks for your advice."
 
"John:

Glad it was that sim

"John:

Glad it was that simple. Carry a spare in the tool box. Don't touch the wire to 12 volts and the case to ground because it is electrolytic and will hold a charge that will zap the snot out of you.

We used to do that in the military radar shop w/100 - 400 volts and set it on the counter. It never took long for some unsuspecting fool to come along and pick it up--zaaaaaap!!! That was 40 years ago. Some fellas would wet their fatigues. That was our entertainment.
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"
 
Or if you have $100 burning a

Or if you have $100 burning a hole in your pocket go spring for the Pertronix Electronic ignitor kit and never worry about points and condensors again.
 
"They got me first. One Danis

"They got me first. One Danish soldier we trained with would plug a test lead into a -90 vdc jack and lay the other end on an insulated table and wait for some DA like me to pick it up while gounded; zaaap. You could hold it all day if you weren't grounded.
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"
 
"There was always a new privat

"There was always a new private showing up; it didn't take long for him to "accidentally" get lit up. One GI would take a tall boy size 400V electrolytic capacitor, charge it up and sneak up behind someone and touch the leads together. Bang!!! Sounded like a gunshot in your ear. It made a mess if you got caught w/a coffee cup near your mouth. We were always trying to come up w/a new or better electrical prank when work was slow."
 
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