Ignition problem?? Solved!! Pics in thanks ;)

[cairyhunt]

Hey all, hope someone can shed some light.

The de soto has become an absolute pig to start, I'm talking 2 or 3 fully charged battery's of turning over before it starts/ if it starts.

Yesterday did some interstation and parts swapping and it's still the same.

what's happening is when I put my timing light on a plug lead and turn it over it only sparks now and again, not a constant strobe.
When I put the timing light on the king lead from the coil I get an irregular flash, no pattern to the flash and big 'holes' in the flashes. (now, I'm not sure what the flashes from the coil should look like, but I don't think it's that)

I've tried replacing the coil, condensers (there are 2 condensers fitted, one in the dizzy and one attached to the negative side of the coil) and it's exactly the same, also had the dizzy off and all looks ok in there.

So I'm stumped.

The last time I used the car was Easter and it took over an hour to get it started! But strangely it seems to start ok 'ish if the engine is warm/has been running within the last few hours Easter was a local car show, the car was parked at the show in the drizzle for about 4 hours and it started ok, seems only when the car is stone cold that I have a problem.

HELP! and thankyou

[ianboyd]

As it's clearly ignition related, then replace all the ignition cheap components, contacts, rotor arm, cap, then if it still does it, then ignition leads then the coil,

if its intermittent at the main coil lead, then it's either that lead, or the coil, or the switching of the coil, or the power from the ignition switch to the coil,

so disconnect the lead from the ignition switch to the coil +and temporary connect a lead from the battery to the coil+, that way you eliminate the ignition switch feed, if it's still intermittent then, connect the other lead from the distributor to a test light, crank the engine by hand, the light should go on and off as the contacts open and close,

hopefully doing that you will find the problem, or at least know exactly what isn't the problem!

[Dez]

id check for dizzy shaft wear first given those symptoms.

[cairyhunt]

Cheers guys

Ive had the dizzy out and it feels ok, tiny bit of play on thrust and next to no wobble.

Ive replaced the coil and condenser but only have used spares for the dizzy cap and rotor arm, new ones are USA only but the ones on the car look ok.

Bypassing the ignition switch sounds like a plan! The ignition switch is the original and very worn so that could be the culprit.

Cheers again fellers.

[bortaf]

is it a balested coil? if it is make sure the 12V boost wire is on the starter if not ignor me

[rodney]

as said with the live, check coil keeps a live when turning over , add a direct feed from battery to coil to see if it starts,.

[jrevillug]

Muck on the points? Might reduce the current flowing to the point where the spark isn't reliable.

Checked the basics - points gap, spark at the points, etc.?

[cairyhunt]

Cheers guys,

I think I've sorted it ;D well found the fault.

Put a live to the coil direct from the battery and it started straight up ;D so it's the ignition switch. Considering the switch is over 60 years old I can't really complain.

Gonna bypass the ignition switch onto toggle switches for ignition and starter until I can find a new 4 position ignition switch with a key that I like the look of.

Thanks again guys, I hate electric's and wouldn't have been able to do it without all your help, so one gazillion Internet points to all of ya

Have some pics in thanks.

[jrevillug]

Glad it's sorted. The lock barrel on my ignition is wearing out, and that's only 37.

[mk2polobloke]

TBH, I can't wait for your car to break down again if you're gonna post pics up like that!!