Hi Folks,

I've hit a snag. I was out driving on Saturday, parked the car in my garage and when I went to go out on sunday, it started once and then quit. It wouldn't start after that. I let it sit in case it was flooded, still wouldn't start. I played around and found out that I wasn't getting any spark. I replaced my plugs, cap and rotor, still nothing. Is there a fuse that could be broken? I've looked and can't see anything different. The distributor I have has the coil buit-into the cap, its a Neihoff one. Could there be another coil someplace? I have 5 wires coming out of the cap, three go into the rotor part, one goes to my tach and there is a white one that appears to go into the firewall but I can't trace it from there.

The starter is cranking the motor, fuel is going into my carb, but theres just not fire there...

I have a 68 Chevelle, with a 454, if this helps. smile.gif


HELP!!! :confused:

Do you have 12 volts going to the distributor ?

white wire sounds llike the old restive wire that originally fed the old distributor, does it look sorta cloth covered ?

It looks really dirty, thats about all. :0)

I noticed on the fuse panel that there is a connection labelled Ignition, but instead of a fuse, it has some sort of connector, like a plug.

Where should this white wire be coming from? Should it be going into the firewall? I have my assembly manual out, but I can't tell too much from that....

You need to verify you are getting power to the coil. With they key turned on check for power at the terminal in the distributor cap marked BAT. If you don't have a full 12 volts run a heavier (10 gauge?)fused wire from the IGN terminal in your fusebox to that BAT terminal. If it works then I would just leave that in place. If it doesn't you still have a problem somewhere in the distributor.

Keep at it ...

I've asked a couple of car guys around here and they suggested checking the module inside the distributor. I was able to borrow one from a local speed shop and I will give that a try. Its the only thing I can think of other then perhaps the pickup coil.

first.... check power !!! don't throw parts at something till you find a problem ..second...yes there is a fuse it's on the driver side of fuse box if my memory is correct its the middle 20 amp ..third..... if your running H.E.I. with the stock resistor wire (its white cloth covered) for power your not getting enought volts to run correctly ..rewire with regular 14 guage & 20 amp fuse from fuse box accessory spade besure to insulate where you take wire thru fire wall to avoid shorts or untape engine harness & replace resistor wire from bulkhead at firewall to the H.E.I then retape for that factory look smile.gif

There is definitely power, I've confirmed that now. All the fuses look good. I've replaced the module and nothing. The last thing I can check is the pickup coil.

I still don't understand how it can run perfectly for one night and then not even start the next day....!!

:confused: graemlins/angry.gif graemlins/clonk.gif

Well, did you find the problem ?

he says it was a bad pick up coil
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