87 dak wont start.
Champion
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 5
From: Sycamore, Illinois (displaced to Arkansas)
RE: 87 dak wont start.
The connector on the coil should be 2-wires (positive and negative). Test for voltage across those two wires only. If you get a voltage reading, and, infact, there is no spark coming from the coil, it would have to be a bad coil.
Champion
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 5
From: Sycamore, Illinois (displaced to Arkansas)
RE: 87 dak wont start.
So, you have verified there is 1) power going at the coil (battery voltage), and 2) the coil is good.
Take the wire running from the coil to the distributor cap (called the coil secondary cable). When the engine cranks, and you put the end of the wire (that connected to the distributor cap) near a ground, it should produce a good, steady spark. ("Testing for Spark at Coil", first page of gb6491 post).
If there is spark, reconnect the plug wire to the distrubtor. Than disconnect any one of the (in your case) 6 plug wires at the plug. Do the same short-to-ground test. The results should be the same (but it will not be a constant spark).
You should also take a good look at the distrbutor cap. Any cracks, carbon deposits, etc. are cause to replace the distributor cap (and rotor). Also, disconnect the spark plug wires (one at a time, so you keep the firing order as it should be) at the cap and check for carbon deposits. (Also check for deposits at the plug wire connector on the coil). Distributor cap and rotor are cheap, and, if in doubt, just go ahead and replace them and get some good new wires.
Another thing - make sure that fuel is getting to the cylinders. I don't know anything about carbs, but, you can't rule out a fuel problem here.
You may also want to remove the spark plugs and take a good look at them. Replace if needed.
Take the wire running from the coil to the distributor cap (called the coil secondary cable). When the engine cranks, and you put the end of the wire (that connected to the distributor cap) near a ground, it should produce a good, steady spark. ("Testing for Spark at Coil", first page of gb6491 post).
If there is spark, reconnect the plug wire to the distrubtor. Than disconnect any one of the (in your case) 6 plug wires at the plug. Do the same short-to-ground test. The results should be the same (but it will not be a constant spark).
You should also take a good look at the distrbutor cap. Any cracks, carbon deposits, etc. are cause to replace the distributor cap (and rotor). Also, disconnect the spark plug wires (one at a time, so you keep the firing order as it should be) at the cap and check for carbon deposits. (Also check for deposits at the plug wire connector on the coil). Distributor cap and rotor are cheap, and, if in doubt, just go ahead and replace them and get some good new wires.
Another thing - make sure that fuel is getting to the cylinders. I don't know anything about carbs, but, you can't rule out a fuel problem here.
You may also want to remove the spark plugs and take a good look at them. Replace if needed.
