No spark

[Holy Roller]

I'm trying to crank a 318 in the car that doesn't have complete wiring in the dash. The engine turns over but I don't have any spark. Can I run a hot wire and a ground wire to the coil to get the spark I need to see if it will crank? Thank you.

 

[MadScientistMat]

What sort of ignition is in there now? Points, stock Mopar type electronic, MSD, or what?

 

[Holy Roller]

It has an box on the firewall and I popped the distributer cap to see if the rotor was turning. But I didn't look to see if it had points. It's not a MSD distributor and it has a coil.

 

[George Jets]

It has an box on the firewall and I popped the distributer cap to see if the rotor was turning. But I didn't look to see if it had points. It's not a MSD distributor and it has a coil.

That would be Mopar Electronic Ignition, with Brain Box, and Ballast Resistor. Tower Round Coil.


* * * * *

 

[dano]

If you have an OEM ignition box (or aftermarket replacement for one) the case need to be chassis grounded or you will get a no spark condition.

 

[Holy Roller]

If you have an OEM ignition box (or aftermarket replacement for one) the case need to be chassis grounded or you will get a no spark condition.

Ok, the box is bolted to the firewall. That should be a good ground huh?

 

[Holy Roller]

If you have an OEM ignition box (or aftermarket replacement for one) the case need to be chassis grounded or you will get a no spark condition.

Yes, checked it out and is electronic ignition.

 

[MadScientistMat]

Try this checklist: How Chrysler electronic ignitions work, and what to check if they don'

 

[Holy Roller]

I'm not sure the checklist will work because I don't have any dash wiring.

 

[MadScientistMat]

So are the coil and ignition module getting 12* volts in both run and start?
* Run voltage will be less at the coil.

 

[Holy Roller]

No, the only thing that has power is the starter. And I'm jumping it with a start button. I'm trying to find out how to get power to the ignition module, coil and distributor to have spark to the plugs.

 

[Bewy]

What type of ballast resistor does it have? 2 or 4 terminal?

You need to see what you have, then find a wiring diagram to show you which terminal connect to bat [+].

 

[Holy Roller]

I'll have to look and see, thank you for the information.

 

[dano]

Ok, the box is bolted to the firewall. That should be a good ground huh?

Not always, a lot of boxes are painted, yours looks chrome, I'd check it for at least continuity. There is a ground wire someone installed, verify that's good.

What year of car is this?

 

[Holy Roller]

Ok I'llcheck that, it's a 68 dart

 

[MadScientistMat]

So, it would originally have had points. Check the wiring on the electronic ignition conversion and make sure it matches how these should be wired.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Ok, the box is bolted to the firewall. That should be a good ground huh?

Not necessarily. Over time, rust and corrosion can build up between the firewall and box and cause it to lose its ground. I would remove the box, scrape the paint down to bear metal on the box and firewall and reattach it. I even go so far as to run a ground wire from the box to a good ground too. It's that important.

 

[Holy Roller]

I'll have to check and make sure it's grounded well. I do remember seeing a ground wire going from the box to the firewall. So after I make sure it's grounded good. How do I get power to it to have spark to the coil and distributer.

 

[Holy Roller]

So, it would originally have had points. Check the wiring on the electronic ignition conversion and make sure it matches how these should be wired.

I'm thinking at one time it might have had a 340 or 273 . I'll have to check the vin to be sure.