Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[zagatoman]

Thanks everyone again for the invaluable help given with the problems with my starter, now all sorted.

My new problem is the car won’t start.

Last week I replaced the condenser, coil, points, and leads to get the car running nice and it was for a short period, started on the button and run really smooth. I took it up the road and down again and all seemed fine then back onto my driveway and turned the engine off. After a while I went to start the engine and pulled the starter and only got the spinning, you have all helped me solve this problem, thanks.

Now the car starter is spinning fine I cant seem to start the car although nothing had changed. I took the lead off one plug to see if I was getting a spark, I pulled the starter while holding the lead to the plug and could see a spark, although a bit week the spark jumped to the plug and the car almost started using that one cylinder only. Reattaching the lead to the plug it still wont start. It seems I can only get enough spark for the plug if the lead is held away from the plug but not connected to it. Any advice as what to do next would be great.

Sorry to be a bit long winded about the explanation.

Paul
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Enthusiastic amateur classic car nut.

[peter scott]

Hi Paul,

If it starts fine from cold then I would suspect that you have one of those new black rotor arms that become conductive when hot. Try a red rotor arm instead.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Rick]

Are you getting a spark to all plugs, have you checked them all or just one? if sparks are all good, and the timings not moved, then it must be fuel ...?

RJ
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Rick - Admin
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[exbmc]

I have had a new condenser fail after only 10 miles or so, and had similar problems to this. I would put the old condenser back, check the wires to the points, gap etc.

[Peter_L]

I used to have spark plug mounted on a piece of plastic with a length of electrical wire wrapped around the base and a crocodile clip on the other end.

Attach the clip to a good earth. Connect the HT cable from the coil to the plug and crank the engine. A good regular spark proves coil, condenser, LT wiring.

Move clip to something on the engine. Same thing should happen or Engine to Chassis earth is lacking.

Now reconnect coil to distributor and try again, proves if all plugs are receiving there HT.

Remove and clean all plugs, put them back in, leave off the plug leads and crank the engine. Remove and check plugs, if they are all wet then there is fuel getting to them.

Procedure can save much time and frustration, an engine that doesn't start will not be cured by putting air in the tyres.