gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

So you are not getting sprak using either distributor? When you changed distributors, did you use different ignitors? Are your ignitors pluged in? What about the condensor near the distributor? It seems that if you used different ignitors with the different distributor, that you should be getting spark to at least one of the coils since you say that you are getting power to the coils. It is strange that you are not getting spark to at least one coil if everything is connected up right, because even if you had a bad ignitor or coil the other one should be fine. You didn't disconnect any of the plugs to the coils did you?

Kent

monad

I took 2 coils off of a running 85 rx still no spark.i also changed both high tension wires and spark plug wires. I am stumped. Does the juice flow from the coils to the distributor? Whatever supplies the juice to the coils seems to be the problem. What do you think.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

You are cranking the car over when checking spark, correct? The only thing that I could think of that would cause both coils not to fire is the lack of power to the coils, but you said that you do have power according to your test light. There are pickups in the distributor. These then connect to the ignitors (black boxes on distributor). The ignitors then connect to the coils. Check again to see if you have power to the coils (both + and - terminals) and make sure that everything is connected. Since you have tried swaping every part of the ignition, you either don't have power or something isn't connected right.

Kent

monad

Where are the ignitors located? I put a test light on the negative and positive sides of both coils and they light up when I turn the key.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

The ignitors are the two black boxes on the side of the distributor. I don't know if they are the problem because I assume that you used different ones when you tried the other distributor.

monad

I connected both primary and negative wires on each coil. This is pretty crazy don't you think. I will go back aqnd check to make sure that I have power to both negative and positive on both coils.

monad

I took 2 coils off of a running 85 rx still no spark.i also changed both high tension wires and spark plug wires. I am stumped. Does the juice flow from the coils to the distributor? Whatever supplies the juice to the coils seems to be the problem. What do you think.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

Monad,

Have you made any progress? If you answer some of the questions that I asked earlier in this thread, I may be able to better help you diagnose the problem. Do you have a digital camera? If so, maybe you could posts some pics of how you have it wired, where you have tested power, etc.

Kent

monad

I finally got this thing going.it was a great education on the ignition system. something is quirky with my distributor cap. I will get a new one. Thanks Kent for your wisdom.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

Glad to see that you got it going again. Did you set the leading timing with both the brown and green connectors off. I think that if this is the second distrubutor that you put on, that if you do the leading this way the trailing should also be close. If you do want to adjust the trailing I would suggest just slightly loosening the screws and then tap it forward or back to set the timing.

If you want help in sorting out your vacuum hoses/solenoids, you can PM me and we can try to figure it out. It sounds like you have a different engine in the car.

Thanks,

Kent

monad

Thanks Kent
Your information was very valuable in helping me get this car going. It is people like you who really make this site special.

Monad

Hades12

What was the fix? What did you find wrong?

monad

I don't know. A friend and i were checking the leading coil for spark against the screws on the shock tower. As was holding the wire we could not get a spark all of a sudden we started getting spark. i started the car , Turned the idle ajust screw to 750rpm, set the timing on the leading distributor. I also observed that the trailing timing was way off but I was too paranoid to loosen up the screws on the diaphram. Since that was what caused the car to quit previously. Anyway the car was running great. I live in an area that has lots of hill and i noticed that the car hesitated going up the hill like it was missing. When I arrived at my friends house turned the car off when I tried to strat it again, it ran for a second then died like something cut the power suddenly. I kept trying to start the car it would run for a second then go dead as though I had ran out of gas. I thought that was crazy because i had just put 8 gallons in the tank. I put starter fluid in the carborator and the car started but I noticed it missing as i started out in first. Today I tried the car it would not start. I noticed that I didn't hear the fuel pump. I disconnected the fuel line from the carburetor, no gas flowing. I think i need to change the fuel pump. Maybe i blew a fuse. I will use a test light on the fuel pumb to see if I am getting juice before I take it off. I lost the cover to my fuse box. Does anyone know which fuse controls the fuel pump?

mwatson184

The fuel pump itself is fine, you aren't getting power to the coils again. I'm pretty sure you have a loose connection somewhere, considering the intermittent problems you've been having.

This will sound kind of weird but run a wire straight from the battery to the positive on each coil, I am almost certain that the fuel pump will come on and when you start the car it will have full spark. If that works out then you know you have a wiring problem between the ignition switch and the coils (most likely a fuse, actually check that before anything). Good luck.

Marques

monad

Kent I am going to take some pic and send them so that you can have a better idea where i am.
I put a different engine in this car 4 years ago then parked it for my 88 rx convertible I sold the vert. Now i am back into 1st generation and I love it. I may be having problems but I love trying to figure out how to make it work.

red13brx7

It sounds like your car has some electrical gremlins.. they can be a pain, but work backwards and you will find the source.. or maybe just start with batery connections..

monad

Could someone tell me how to post a picture of my car in this thread?

red13brx7

All you have to do is go to the post reply button, it is beside the new thread button on the bottom of the post. Then you go down to where it says browse, and this takes you to a file that you want to upload.. you have to make sure it is in the limitations.. So you can upload it. NOt very hard.

monad

i tried to send an attachment but it wouldn't work.
can someone host the pic's for me.

thanks.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

Monad,

I sent you a PM.

Kent

monad

What's a PM?

Monad

red13brx7

It is a private message.. Go to the control pannel.