![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 22
|
Truck broke down, HELP!
Hey, my 69, 250 4 speed stranded my girlfriend this morning. Here's where I know.
It had driven ~40 miles already, and was running well, good temp, oil pressure, etc. She came off the freeway, stopped, made a turn, stopped and it stalled and never re-started. She got a tow from a diesel mechanic who did some quick work and told her it had no spark. I came by later after the guy had left and came to the same conclusion. I ran a wire from the positive to the positive of the coil and got no spark, the coil, coil/plug wires, points, cap, rotor, and plugs are all relatively new. I put all that stuff on in june/july when I got the truck. I don't know if there is a ballast resistor, or a fuse that could have blown that could cause this, I was at work and basically had a screw driver, so I was only able to check little things, the point gap looked REALLY small, so I adjusted that, nothing, again I hot wired the coil, and got nothing. I'm probably going to start with a new coil. The existing one is an MSD dealy, but if I don't actually have a ballast resistor and have been running 12 volts to it forever it could be bad, do these things just fail instantly like that? I'll come back tonight with a multi-meter and some electrical stuff and tools probably a new coil but any pro-tips on this could be good. I just tried all of the "tricks" I could think of and got nothing. Thank you guys. -Nate |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
does the truck have the original points? have they been cleaned and gapped and the dweel set recently??
__________________
71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 22
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
In probably early July I replaced coil, coil wires, cap, rotor, POINTS, condensor, and plugs. The truck probably has a few k since then. I set the points and used a dwell meter at the time. I'll check that for sure, I didn't have any tools or diagnostics available to me when I ran out there.
Apparently it died "like I turned off the key" no stumbling or anything. the points looked really tight when I went out there, and I reset them with a business card, and still got nothing. I got no spark at a plug and I got no spark when I tried from the coil. I got nothing when I wired 12V directly to the coil. I'm thinking coil, I'm wondering if this sounds crazy and if they fail instantly. I'm also reading about a ballast resistor and I don't see one, where is it and do I need it? The wiring seems all original but I haven't had it THAT long. -Nate |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chandler AZ
Posts: 1,149
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Measure this.....
Key on not cranking, - around 9V to the plus side of coil Points closed, - side of coil (dist side) low ohms to ground Points open, - ∞ resistance to ground IF you want, key on and quickly jump dist side of coil to ground and pull off immediately. You should get a spark at the coil wire.
__________________
1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11. 1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 22
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Right, that's what I tried and I got nothing from the distributor side of the coil to the engine block. I pulled the coil wire off the dist, stuck my screw driver in there and bumped it, and got nada. Ran a "hot" from the + battery to the + coil and cranked... nada.
I'm heading home from work in a few hours, going to pick up my multi meter, a new coil, dwell meter, some wiring stuff, and tools. I figure if it's electrical I'll get it sorted, if not, well... It's legally parked. I'll figure something else out. I'm kind of curious, can/do coils fail instantly like that? Thank you. -Nate |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
they did not have ballast resistors // they had a resistance wire going to the coil it looks to be a thicker pieceof wire covered in a sort of clothlike material (and the yellow wire has it's junction near it) and it is in the wiring harness from the firewal ljunction box near the steerin column
__________________
71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 22
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Right, I did some more research after posting and found that out. So while cranking I should see 12v at the + on the coil and with the ignition on I should see 9ish?
Then if I jump the coil and it's say... infinity, that's bad. I'm just trying to figure out how it was all hunky dory and then bam... nada. I'll check all this, hopefully the coil just pooped out, but I have diagnostics to check other issues. Thank you gentlemen! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chandler AZ
Posts: 1,149
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
The coil is 2 coils. It's kind of like a transformer. Make sure you have continuity between the + and - on the input of the coil should be fairly high maybe 10KΩ and the - and center conductor should be low around 4Ω. This is from memory so check center to both sides of the input and look for one to be low.
__________________
1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11. 1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Clarkrange Tennessee
Posts: 1,786
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
might be as easy as changing the condenser. I have a truck do the same thing and I changed everything and the condenser last and that's what was wrong?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Still Learning
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 10,108
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
I can't help with the current problem but my recommendation is to ditch the points dizzy as soon as you can and go with an electronic ignition. Those things will strand you just when you least expect it. Electronic ignition is cheap reliability. good luck.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 22
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
The condensor was replaced in mid july with the rest of the ignition. The truck is driven mostly on weekends for home depot and garden center runs. And when I'm feeling like not listening to a radio or being comfortable
![]() I guess I'm wondering, without really getting too into it, the coil and the condensor seem to be the only parts that would fail instantly. I can't see how mechanical points would just STOP working and not be obviously bad, same goes for cap, rotor, wires, etc. Am I wrong? I'm sure there are instances where this happens, but well. At this point I just need to get the truck home and then I can park it for the winter ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chandler AZ
Posts: 1,149
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
points fail in several ways.
Screws slip rubbing block breaks or wears down open condenser causes a peak on one contact that can short them or decrease dwell pivot insulator breaks, cracks or causes a short.... wire breaks at connection causing short wire connector fractures causing short
__________________
1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11. 1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 22
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
okay well, in trouble shooting I turned the engine over a few times and the points seem to be operating, mechanically at least. I just never saw spark at a plug or after the coil. I'm going to start at the coil and work my way forward. Ugh. What's so frustrating is that it stranded my GF and not me!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 1,856
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
i guess the real question is why is your GF driving the old beater and you have no trouble getting to and from work and to pickup your broken truck in what I assume is another vehicle?
Not trying to be rude but I'd never put my wife in my truck by herself. I dont even like her driving my 04 Xb because it has close to 200k on it even though it runs like a top. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
member #16
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Yuba City Ca.
Posts: 3,618
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Don't discount the condensor just because it was replaced in July. I saw one fail on a truck one week old.
__________________
john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors ![]() http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Rt 66 Gallup, NM
Posts: 527
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
One way to test the coil is to take it off, shake it and listen for a sloshing sound. If it sloshes, it may be bad. Yes, a coil can fail that bad, so can a condenser.
__________________
2005 GMC K2500HD D/A 1993 GMC K1500 2011 Subaru Legacy. 2013 Subaru Outback 1970 C-10 2WD, SWB stepside, 292, TH350, PS, more rust than anything. God is my pilot. ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Msgt USAF Ret
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posts: 8,714
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Here's a simple way to test just the coil.
Pull the wires off it on the plus and negative terminals and run a hot wire from the battery positive or the alternator large post to the plus side of the coil. Then run a wire from a good ground to where it will reach the negative side of the coil. Then hold the high voltage center wire near a good ground and tap the small negative wire to the negative post on the coil. If the coil is good you should see a nice blue spark from the high voltage lead to ground. If you don't want to hold the zapper wire then put a known good spark plug in it and let the plug threads touch a good ground, and watch for the spark, while you tap the negative wire on the coil. This isolates the coil from every thing else and tells you if the coil is good or bad.
__________________
VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Grand Terrace, Ca.
Posts: 1,607
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
I had a coil fail on me once, it acted like it ran out of gas. Power fell off then motor died.
I had a condenser fail on me once, it acted as if out of time. Backfired out the carb then out the exhaust but still had spark. Sounds kinda' like the coil failed to me...but I could be wrong. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,331
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chandler AZ
Posts: 1,149
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Quote:
I had a GF fail on me once. With a truck like ours... I replaced her
__________________
1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11. 1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Quote:
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ruskin Florida
Posts: 4,561
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Did a full tune up on my old 70 and ran like a clock. 3 months later ,on the way to work, it started sputtering and died. Long story short it was the new points. The kind that had the condenser integrated. Replaced them and it ran like a clock again. Has an HEI now though.
__________________
70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chandler AZ
Posts: 1,149
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
One more thought...do you have a tach? I had one short 20 years ago and strand me.
__________________
1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11. 1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 22
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Thanks for all the replies. Seems like the coil did the trick. It was still showing 12V on the + side even while running, so maybe I don't have a resistor wire, or something. It's not obviously been replaced.
My girlfriend was taking the truck to pick up a sofa. The truck has run like a top since I've gotten it, I never really considered it a liability. Also, if you want to come tell her she can't drive the truck because she's a girl, I'll drive you to the hospital... in the truck. Thanks again guys, drove it home and parked it. It's cold and crappy here today, I'm not sure when I'll get around to troubleshooting the reason behind the high voltage at the coil. -Nate |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 1,856
|
Re: Truck broke down, HELP!
Quote:
I meant no offense to the OP or his "desirable" girlfriend, whatever that means. I do know 95% of the trucks on this forum aren't fit to be daily drivers much less something to send your GF on a roadtrip with. I went with that assumption. so apologies if any toes were stepped on. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|