Ignition problem

[Doug T.]

Hi all. New to the forum. I just got a '87 w2500 with a 360 given to me. It sat for the last 3 years but it's in decent shape. I'm trying to get it to run but has no spark. Owner ( father in law ) said it ran fine when he parked it. I changed the ballast resistor and have been going thru the usual checks. One thing I found is at the primary side of the coil with the ignition on but not cranking the voltage is 7. Voltage at batt. is 12.5. Is this normal? And if not where should I look? Thanks.

[Dodgevanman]

Yes that sounds normal....the ballast resistor reduces the current to the coil when the ignition is in the "ON" position. At "START" position, the coil receives full current.

A no-spark condition can also be caused by the ignition module on the firewall or the pick-up module inside the distributor. Heck, you may even have a bad coil.

[Chump]

Check your voltage at the coil while someone turns the key to "start". Is it somewhere arounf 11+ volts?

[Doug T.]

Thanks for the replies. I started changing the cheap stuff first. Cap, rotor, ignition coil, starter relay. Then started working around the dist. ( ecu is $140.00 ) I was going to save that for last. So I was getting ready to ohm the pick-up coils and I guess them furry little creatures gotta eat too. There it was right at the connector. Amongst the straw and leaves, the wires chewed right in half. Ten minutes later she was purrin' like a kitten. Life is good again. So I go to take a test ride and the clutch won't disengage. The arm is moving but it's locked in. So I start it in gear and try hitting the clutch then the brake at the same time going up and down the driveway trying to free it up but no dice. Some one said "that happens" when they sit. Is there some trick to freeing the clutch up or do I have to pull the tranny and see what's up. I will try anything before undertaking that job. Thanks

[Chump]

Thanks for getting back to us! Seems the creatures have been busy on a number of forums...must be a full moon! :rck: