No power through king lead

Post by **regtubby** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:40 am

Why oh why am I not getting a spark off my king lead? I expected a healthy spark when I held the lead a short distance from an earth and started the ignition, but nothing.

The coil is getting 12v to the +ve and is correctly earthed. The coil is new and the king lead 18 months old and sound - I've tested both in another vehicle and that started first time.

Any thought welcome.

Post by **Rob_Jennings** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:46 am

points?

Post by **regtubby** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:51 am

New points, new condensor, battery fully charged, nice and clean rotor arm.

I have two spare coils which along with the one that's currently fitted all work fine when tested in another car as does the HT lead.

Post by **Willie** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 5:22 pm

The primary winding of the coil is only earthed when the points are closed when the points open the earth should disappear. If your earth is still there with the points open then they have been incorrectly assembled. the order on the pivot post from the bottom upwards is:
insulating collar,spring eye,capacitor lead + flexible lead from side contact, top insulating collar followed by the nut (finger tight + 1/4 turn).
New points should be wiped clean with petrol as the faces are coated with preservative.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:07 pm

another one to try is the pesky little cloth covered wire that goes between the coil terminal on the distributor and the points. This wire can look OK but be open circuit. Test it for continuity.

Post by **Alec** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:29 pm

Hello Regtubby,

I'm confused by your comment, "started the ignition, but nothing. ".

If you mean just switching on the ignition, well that is normal. You will need to spin the engine or flick the points to see a spark. Did you you do that or am I correct in thinking that you believe that just switching on the ignition will cause a spark, which is not the case?

Alec