My 66 P1800 wont start

[Clan]

Originally Posted by CLIVERALLY

Right

No spark from the points when flicked

So changing

the points
Cap
King Lead
condensor ----

If this dont fix it then its a box of m,atches and a gallon of fuel !!

the wire from the coil -- tach--- dizzy -- is this just a plain bit of wire? or is it low tension cabling?

Do you get a small spark from the points wire if you disconnect it from the distributor and gently drag it across a good earth on the body , simulating what the points do ?

[CLIVERALLY]

Hi

By the points wire do you meaan the wire coming from the coil to the side of the distributor the one that goes to the tach and then the coil? that sparks

I fitted a new set of points -set to 16tho -- no spark from them when I fick them
fitted nex cap and king lead -- nothing? at the end

I have 12v from ignition to the coil

I have voltage to the dizzy from the neg side of the coil this seems to fluctuate especially when the lead is connected to the spade connector and the voltage is measured from there

Really confused

Really getting frustrated with this thing ----any help before I take to it with a sledgehammer

[TMC]

Before you:
A) take sledge hammer to it, or
B) gallon of fuel and matches
.....would you mind awfully if I just came round and took all the nice bits off your car?

It sounds to me like a coil issue and although most motor factors won't have the specific one, you could borrow / purchase a coil (similarish) and see if you're getting your spark.
Our P1800 through a similar hissy fit a few woks ago, we ended up replacing most of the ignition system, but pleased to say all is fine know.
Hope you get yours sorted soon and welcome to the forum.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by CLIVERALLY

Hi

By the points wire do you meaan the wire coming from the coil to the side of the distributor the one that goes to the tach and then the coil? that sparks

I fitted a new set of points -set to 16tho -- no spark from them when I fick them
fitted nex cap and king lead -- nothing? at the end

I have 12v from ignition to the coil

I have voltage to the dizzy from the neg side of the coil this seems to fluctuate especially when the lead is connected to the spade connector and the voltage is measured from there

Really confused

Really getting frustrated with this thing ----any help before I take to it with a sledgehammer

put a test light on the 12v side of teh coil .. earth the other wire which goes to the points , does the test light stay on? There may be a problem with teh feed side of it , when the coil is under load the 12v disappears ? It is very unusual for a coil to go open circuit , even if it doesnt spark properly .

[Derek UK]

Check that the bolt that connects the low tension wire to the side of he distributor isn't shorting to the distributor body. A simple check with a meter is all you need. The bolt mount has insulating washers in it and the spring for the points can touch the distributor body to. You won't get any sparks if these are touching.
See the last post on this thread.
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...=205061&page=3

[CLIVERALLY]

Thanks everyone -- will have a go again after work tomorrow

Just one thing -- the coil is it just a standard 12v like a Lucas sport coil?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by CLIVERALLY

Thanks everyone -- will have a go again after work tomorrow

Just one thing -- the coil is it just a standard 12v like a Lucas sport coil?

it is probably not the original , didnt they have an armoured cable coil originaly ? To be a "standard " 12 v coil it should have a resistance across the two terminals of about 4 ohms , sports coils are less , modern electronic coils 1/2 ohm

[CLIVERALLY]

What gets me was that is working fine and then nothing-- will try the grounding out later after work --- it is getting on my "wires" so to speak -- my points are two piece -- the only issue was the array or possible condensers -- mine has a tag on it that allows a screw to fix it to the side f the dizzy -- one of the ones I have got (new) has no tag on it at all-- looking in the catalogues its this one that supposedly matches my points but there is no way of fixing it to the side of the coil unless it had a small bracket once upon a time.

I intend to get rid of the points etc and go eleccy in the fullness of time --- but thats after I can get it started !!

[swedishandgerman]

I would be very surprised if this is NOT a problem with the tiny little insulating washers between the points screw and distributor body.

It looks to me like the current is shorting through the distributor. Basic function of the distributor is this:

1. Points closed: 12V runs across the points to earth.
2. Points open: current momentarily stops running to earth and goes through the coil (like a big 'jolt') causing spark at spark plugs

If it's shorting through the distributor, the coil will never 'jolt' and there will be no spark at the points when you flick them.

[arcturus]

Will the points still spark if the condenser is shot?