Volvo RWD Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 12/2024

[<<]  [>>]


 VIEW    REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

No Spark

Hi,

Since this a point and condenser ignition system you could have a bad condenser.
The condenser is there to reduce arcing of the points. It works like a capacitor in that it charges up but if it shorted the power goes to ground. This would keep the coil from getting current to the primary winding.
A test light will light because it’s still a circuit.

When the point open this shuts off the current to the primary coil.
When this happens that coil will dump it’s magnetic field into the next winding and at the end of that winding is you spark plug. Bingo spark when that high voltage jumps to ground in the engine.

It isn’t a common things to have a bad condenser cause no spark as they are very reliable.
In your case the condenser or capacitor has gone funky. Age is the number one killer as it’s only turns of aluminum film that can corrode internally.

Make sure you have the wires on the points and condenser are correctly placed with insulator washers where they are supposed to be.
It’s very possible that they could cause the same problem of power going to ground and not THROUGH the ignition coil.

Hope this helps.

Phil






THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD

New No Spark
posted by  livelarg  on Sun Mar 16 19:54 CST 2025 >
  • New No Spark
    posted by  solfab  on Fri Mar 21 18:16 CST 2025 >
  • New No Spark
    posted by  B.B. subscriber  on Wed Mar 26 20:23 CST 2025 >
  • New 1 No Spark
    posted by  machine man subscriber  on Thu Mar 27 21:23 CST 2025 >


<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.