Re: [FWDLK] DeSoto ignition advice needed

[Mike Sealey <mopar2ya@YAHOO.COM>]

You didn't mention the ballast resistor, Ed, but
that's the first thing I thought of while reading
this.

Those little guys are the Achilles' heel of the MoPar
electrical system, and my son is now the fourth
generation that carries a spare ballast resistor in
the glove box at all times (thanks, Grampa & Uncle
Larry...)

Mike

--- "Edward X. Petrus" <desoto@PATHWAY.NET> wrote:

> Hi, gang.  I spent this afternoon trying to get the
> 57 Fireflite I dragged from West Virginia back to
> life.  I don't have the ignition keys.  Engine is
> free.  I put in a good battery.  I can jump across
> the starter relay and make the engine crank.  I
> then took a wire from the battery + side to the
> coil + side.  Isn't this like having the key "on"?
> Then I cranked the engine, but get NO spark at the
> coil tower.  Since I'm checking for spark ahead of
> the plugs and plug wires, they shouldn't be a
> problem (but I did check them anyway).  Adjusted
> points with dwell meter while cranking to 29
> degrees (close enough).  Dwell meter does bounce up
> and down while cranking, so I know points are
> opening and closing.  I DID NOT replace the points
> or condenser, but looked them over.  I've seen
> worse.
>
> I tried the coil from my son's Jeep, thinking the
> likely problem is the coil.  No spark then, either.
> Could the points/condenser be the problem?  Is
> the coil the problem, and for some reason the Jeep
> coil wasn't compatible?  Or is my whole theory
> about hooking the wire from battery to coil wrong?
> I really didn't expect this long-sitting engine to
> start right up, but I know I need to find spark
> before it will even have a chance.  Any ideas?
>
> THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!
>
> Ed
> 57 Firedome
> 57 Fireflite


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email alerts & NEW webcam video instant messaging with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com