129 no spark

[colt54]

Hello all
I have A 129 with new points new condenser and new coil.
I have power to points and the coil (light tester only).
Points are set to .020 on the s mark, and open and close,and are clean, for they were new, so I sanded the contats.
Still no spark at the points,or break at the coil. The coil is 100% hot all the time on both + and - sides with the key on acc and turning the motor over.
This 129 has 2 safty switches pto and foot.
Any help is highly appreciated.

[green407]

If you set your test light on the points side of the coil and crank the unit, the test light should flash as the points open and close. The light should come on as the points open, and go out as the points close.

If the test light doesn't flash you have an open circuit between the coil and the point.

If the test light does flash you have an open between the coil and the spark plug.

[ironman]

Originally Posted by green407

If you set your test light on the points side of the coil and crank the unit, the test light should flash as the points open and close. The light should come on as the points open, and go out as the points close.

If the test light doesn't flash you have an open circuit between the coil and the point.

If the test light does flash you have an open between the coil and the spark plug.

OR.....
If the test light doesn't flash you have a steady ground on that terminal.

I say this because I once had a brand new set of points that gave continuity across the contacts whether open or closed, (i.e. shorted).

[green407]

Originally Posted by ironman

OR.....
If the test light doesn't flash you have a steady ground on that terminal.

I say this because I once had a brand new set of points that gave continuity across the contacts whether open or closed, (i.e. shorted).

This is true too, the only reason I dismissed this thought is because the op said "The coil is 100% hot all the time on both + and - sides", which I understand to mean his test light illuminates when he sets it to either terminal.

But yes if he sets it to the points side and it doesn't illuminate at all, then yes that would indicate a short between the coil and the points.

[ironman]

Originally Posted by ironman

I say this because I once had a brand new set of points that gave continuity across the contacts whether open or closed, (i.e. shorted).

Originally Posted by green407

But yes if he sets it to the points side and it doesn't illuminate at all, then yes that would indicate a short between the coil and the points.

What I should have pointed out better was that a brand new set of points somehow was not insulated between the coil side contact and the ground side contact, thus a permanent ground to the coil.
I guess somebody at the points factory was having a bad day and got a chuckle out of driving somebody (me) crazy.

[colt54]

ya still trying to figure it out. points start to open on the s mark on the flywheel and are gaped 0.20 when fully opened. points open and close fine but when i put a test light on the coil, the light has no break. light stays light with point open and closed. going to try a new ignition switch next.

[green407]

Originally Posted by colt54

ya still trying to figure it out. points start to open on the s mark on the flywheel and are gaped 0.20 when fully opened. points open and close fine but when i put a test light on the coil, the light has no break. light stays light with point open and closed. going to try a new ignition switch next.

It's not the ignition switch, you have power to the coil when the switch is in the run position.

What side of the coil are you setting the test light on, the ignition switch side, or the points side?

[colt54]

new switch and still nothing. mabey voltage regulator? both sides

[green407]

Originally Posted by colt54

new switch and still nothing. mabey voltage regulator? both sides

Defiantly NOT the voltage regulator!

Do you have power to your points?

[Billy-O]

You do not need a new regulator, either!

Originally Posted by green407

What side of the coil are you setting the test light on, the ignition switch side, or the points side?

I thought simplest testing method is to apply the test light to both + and - of the coil. Lights on with points closed, lights out when points open. When points open, the electrical field collapse in the coil thus inducing a spark. If light stays on when points open, you have a possible short most likely on negative side of coil to ground.


Nothing has been said of spark plug wire or spark plug.