Stock 83 GS
Ok, I've searched and read what I can find. I'll bet i've missed something.
So, first of all, the tach quit working a couple months ago, been meaning to check it out, but car was running Ok. Something tells me this has something to do with it. Anyways. Fuel system is good. Wires, cap and rotor are new. The trailing coil is not firing. The car runs on the other coil, of course its only running on half spark. Replaced the coil and the ingnitor for the trailer. No go. Swap the leads from the lead to the trailer and the car starts and runs. Swap the trailer to the lead, no go. I've swapped connectors at the ignitors, at the distributor cap and from coil to coil. Problem follows the trailer wiring. So, in my little brain, there seems to be an issue with what is powering or grounding the trailing system. Somebody please give me a direction! And please be easy, I'm a rookie.

 

So, am I looking for power/ground out of the connector to the ignitor on the distributor? Or does it go the other way? I'm so confused.... Igniton on, tester grounded to battery. Both coils + and - light up tester......? I'm lost....

 

unhook the trailing's positive wire and then run a jumper wire from leading's positive wire to trailing.

but again, I dont think thats where your problem is

 

Thanks for the advise. You were correct, I tried the jumper and it didn't work. Gonna keep after it today.

 

could be the pickup in the distributor that's not in spec on the trailing side. Do you know anybody with another distibutor (dizzy) ? Seems like you have checked everything else. good luck

 

I was thinking it was the pickup, but wasn't sure and don't know how to confirm. I'm gonna get a used distributor, sounds like there are alot of usable parts anyways. Stuck for today......

 

Well i think im having same problem cuz my tech is not working i put and old coil

ignator and it didnt do nothing, i put positive from the one closes to the front to

the second one and it showed my rpms working so i think my coil is bad im

hoping ..well thats the advise 2 people gave me so im going to be new coil

blaster will make it work . car starts fine .

 

Crazy car! Drove it this morning. Getting intermittent spark to trailing coil. And the tach started working! Checking on it more later......

 

Could be nothing more than a corroded connector at the ignitor...

 

Used distributor did the trick, must have been the pickup. Thanks for all the ideas and help! On to the next issue!