no spark after vintage air install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

evilokc · 06-20-2020, 11:24 PM

I work on my truck a lot but its rarely a mechanical issue. I finally got the a/c system wrapped up. it was cooling well in the garage. I headed to the gas station and then my first car show if the season. got about two blocks and turned on the a/c and the truck died. no spark. got it fired after 30 minutes. huge backfire. didn't make it home. was about 100ft short and pushed it the rest of the way. put a spark tester on and it has none. ive read that the vintage air systems pull a ton of amps. im hoping that the draw from the a/c and electric fan on the condenser was just to much for the old coil. anyone ever have this happen or have suggestions?

evilokc · 06-20-2020, 11:29 PM

this is in the wrong place no clue how to delete it

gmc684x4 · 06-21-2020, 12:21 AM

I am on the understanding once commented on one can not delete post

**HO455** · 06-21-2020, 12:31 AM

First thing is to look at all the wiring involved with the ignition circuit. You may have bumped something loose. Especially under the dash.
You didn't mention what you did after the first time it quit and you got it running.
What is the battery voltage both running (if you can) and shut off?
The coil shouldn't be affected by the AC unit unless the alternator is unable to keep the battery charged and you are running at 8 or 10 volts. But you would be having other issues too.
When you said you "hooked a spark checker up" could you be more specific as to what you did?

gmc684x4 · 06-21-2020, 12:58 AM

Did your battery die is it still 12 volts ?

Ac with high amp electric fans can be an issue draw to much current ?

What are you running for an alternator ?

an original external one is small amp not made to run electric fans
Si is an upgrade does not make much power at idle
Cs unit makes more power and more power at idle

another question is if you recently upgraded the alt to did you check to insure its making power ?

evilokc · 06-22-2020, 08:24 AM

I had 12 v to the coil. I had no power at the tach terminal when the engine was cranking. pulled the coil and put my meter on it. secondary coil read in spec but barley and the primary was trash. I replaced the coil and it fired right off. Im not sure what amp alternator I have. its eaither a 95 or 105amp.

06-20-2020, 11:24 PM	#1
evilokc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: albuquerque New Mexico Posts: 522	no spark after vintage air install I work on my truck a lot but its rarely a mechanical issue. I finally got the a/c system wrapped up. it was cooling well in the garage. I headed to the gas station and then my first car show if the season. got about two blocks and turned on the a/c and the truck died. no spark. got it fired after 30 minutes. huge backfire. didn't make it home. was about 100ft short and pushed it the rest of the way. put a spark tester on and it has none. ive read that the vintage air systems pull a ton of amps. im hoping that the draw from the a/c and electric fan on the condenser was just to much for the old coil. anyone ever have this happen or have suggestions?

06-20-2020, 11:29 PM	#2
evilokc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: albuquerque New Mexico Posts: 522	Re: no spark after vintage air install this is in the wrong place no clue how to delete it

06-21-2020, 12:21 AM	#3
gmc684x4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Whitehorse yukon Posts: 1,218	Re: no spark after vintage air install I am on the understanding once commented on one can not delete post

06-21-2020, 12:31 AM	#4
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,017	Re: no spark after vintage air install First thing is to look at all the wiring involved with the ignition circuit. You may have bumped something loose. Especially under the dash. You didn't mention what you did after the first time it quit and you got it running. What is the battery voltage both running (if you can) and shut off? The coil shouldn't be affected by the AC unit unless the alternator is unable to keep the battery charged and you are running at 8 or 10 volts. But you would be having other issues too. When you said you "hooked a spark checker up" could you be more specific as to what you did? __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

06-21-2020, 12:58 AM	#5
gmc684x4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Whitehorse yukon Posts: 1,218	Re: no spark after vintage air install Did your battery die is it still 12 volts ? Ac with high amp electric fans can be an issue draw to much current ? What are you running for an alternator ? an original external one is small amp not made to run electric fans Si is an upgrade does not make much power at idle Cs unit makes more power and more power at idle another question is if you recently upgraded the alt to did you check to insure its making power ?

06-22-2020, 08:24 AM	#6
evilokc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: albuquerque New Mexico Posts: 522	Re: no spark after vintage air install I had 12 v to the coil. I had no power at the tach terminal when the engine was cranking. pulled the coil and put my meter on it. secondary coil read in spec but barley and the primary was trash. I replaced the coil and it fired right off. Im not sure what amp alternator I have. its eaither a 95 or 105amp.



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