Can't start engine!

Braden · May 26, 2015

Hi everyone and thanks for having this forum. Anyway, I bought a 1971 charger a couple weeks ago. It's a 318 and needs a lot of love. I'm trying to get it started...I'm using a remote starter switch as the existing wire is going to need replacement and is extremely shotty. That being said here's where I'm at.
Battery negative is grounded. Battery positive goes to starter relay. Then to starter. Then a wire goes to the coil. Which is getting 12 volts on both posts. The plug wire from the coil to the distributor will not spark when I hold it to ground and turn the engine over.
I've replaced the coil, distributor cap/button, spark plug wires and spark plugs. I'm at a loss. I'm sure I've forgotten to mention a few things and obviousally this isn't propper wiring but I'm trying to see it run before I move forward with anything else.

cudajunction · May 26, 2015

Wire to the positive side of coil should have 8 volts dropped down by a ballist resistor. Negative side should pulse + - if not your points condenser or electronic set up is bad.

Braden · May 27, 2015

Thanks cudajunction. I See the ballast resistor so I'll wire that in as soon as I get off work today. Should I test for pulse on the coil negative pole by grounding the other lead or have it going to the coil positive pole? Thanks again

Coronet 14 · May 27, 2015

Did you introduce yourself on the Welcome Wagon section. We love pictures on this site.

Bb70charger500 · May 27, 2015

I'd check the points and the capacitor in the dist also check your ballistic itself ,once it cracks up (back side) you won't have any juice to the dist. Good luck

Braden · May 28, 2015

Ok so wiring in the ballast resistor was unsuccessful. I also tried grounding the negative post on the coil and it didn't help. Still no spark from the coil. Any ideas? Neutral safety switch? Thanks again for helping guys and I will introduce myself soon

Photon440 · May 28, 2015

The negative coil post can't be grounded...the spark is created when the circuit is broken. Thus, it is wired to the points so each time they open, the circuit breaks and a spark is generated. The points provide the ground as needed and also the switching action.

So, you should have power from the ignition switch going to the + and a lead going to the points in the distributor on the -

Braden · May 28, 2015

Ok I see how this works now with the wire going to the bottom of the distributor(pickup coil I think it's called) from the - post and the + post gets the power. Anyone think this will work? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ5yRXiEIwg

Braden · May 28, 2015

And has anyone used the EZ wiring 12 circuit system on a 71 charger?

Can't start engine!

Braden

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cudajunction

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Braden

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Coronet 14

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Bb70charger500

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Braden

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Photon440

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Braden

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Braden

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