351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[andy944]

I don't know where to start. I searched the forms and realized I don't know the first thing about my ignition system. So here is my problem.<br /><br />I have a 1977 Reinell that I need to sell in the nest 3 days. If anyone is reading this and intersted, pleas make me an offer (I'm 1.5 hours North of Seattle Washington).<br /><br />Anyway, I am moving to the east cost on saturday and cannot bring this boat with me. It has been a great boat and ran very well. I pulled it out of the water last week and parked the trailer at my house. Now tha I have folks looking at buying her, she won't start.<br /><br />SO if soneone could point me in the right direction as to what type of ignition I have, if there is one of those cool trouble shooting flow charts for it, or if there are several things that I should just replace.<br /><br />Again, I am moving 3000 miles in three days and I need to sell this boat.<br /><br />Thanks in advance,<br /><br />-Andy

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unless it has been retrofitted with an elec ignition, you have points.<br /><br />Pull a plug wire, hold it close (about 1/4 inch) from the head and get someone to crank the motor. Do you have spark?

 

[andy944]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess I should have elaborated a bit more...<br /><br />I have a spark plug tester and I checked at the plugs... no spark.<br /><br />Pulled cap and roter and turned over to check for spark at the points... nothing.<br /><br />Is this a Thunderbird ignition????<br /><br />I need help bad.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

O/k Andy, how about a bit more info then.<br /><br />Correct me if I'm wrong - last week it ran great, this week there is no spark. The only difference between last week and this week is that you towed it home and parked it at your house. <br /><br />Do you have a multi-meter?

 

[Don S]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you ever changed the points? They do go bad, and one day they work and the next they don't. Boats need a full tuneup yearly to run properly all the time.

 

[andy944]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, all I did was tow it home on the trailer.<br /><br />I have a multi meter and have tried the things I could think of: +coil to ground w/ key in run position, +coil to +battery.<br /><br />I guess what I really need is a trouble shooting chart.<br /><br />THanks

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As Don rightly pointed out, points go bad and should be changed as part of regular maintenance.<br /><br />There is little advantage in doing tests if you don't do them correctly. What reading did you get when you tested the '+' terminal at the coil and were the points open or closed?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With three days to go....How much money for the boat? It is probably points....Don't move to New Jersey, BTW Stay here...It is waaaaaaay nicer..Check + side of coil for voltage....If you have 12v, replace the points.....JK

 

[rbezdon]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

also, not to be a smart a$$ but make sure the rotor is turning. I had a car once, douldnt get to spark for nothing till I realized it was because the distribotor dhaft wasnt turning. I had a broken timing chain

 

[andy944]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J.Kopec,<br /><br />I have 12V at the positive side of the coil. I neet the replace the points but I already sold my car and have no trans...<br /><br />Make me an offer....<br /><br />vatter, <br /><br />The rotor turns, better a smart a$$ the a dumb a$$

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where you at?.... I don't want to waste you time, I know you are shor on that.... If you are moving to N.J. STOP NOW!.....JK

 

[andy944]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J.Kopec,<br /><br />No, No, not NJ, the North East. It's nice up there.<br /><br />anyway, I'm inbetween burlington and anacortes.<br /><br />I'm looking to get 4500 by tomorrow.<br /><br />Make me an offer:<br /> http://seattle.craigslist.org/boa/103900892.html

 

[DJ]

Re: 351W VOLVO 280 no spark HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have 12V at the positive side of the coil.

That's too much. 12 Volts will quickly fry points and coils. That voltage reading should not be more than 9.5 volts. You should only see 12 volts when the starter is engaged<br /><br />You should install a ballast resistor, somebody wired around it, and check/replace the points and coil.<br /><br />Ballast resistors can be purchased at most aouto parts stores. Get the sealed type.