316 no sparks

[nas80]

M10 1.8 1983


Ok I'm having some problems with this m10.

I can't get it to fire

New plugs
New Leads
New cap
New rotor arm
Tried two coils

Can get spark from the coil if I pull the king lead and put it near a ground.

Do not see spark on the spark plug on the end of the lead.

What do you reckon is going on?

[drjim]

You need a new ignition module. I think it's over next to the left shock mount. Check the wires aren't wet etc then try a different module.

Reck should have a spare, I think I gave him one years ago. I may have one in the box of bits at my old workshop but a long shot.

[nas80]

Ah didn't check that. I might actually have a spare I can try.

[Jeroen]

Could very well be indeed, usually they break due to overheating or bad grounding (corrosion). Pulse sender inside the dizzy can be at fault as well.

Are the cap and rotor arm from the same brand? They may suffer from design mismatches as well.

[nas80]

Forgot to say I tried two brand new dizzy caps.

The only thing I haven't changed is that resister module thing. Didn't realise it needed a decent ground

[Reck]

I've got two spare ignition modules I can take up this weekend.

Also - the battery light is constantly illuminated. This indicates a problem with the alternator, right?

[nas80]

Reck, subsequent research leads me to believe that's the alternator internal voltage regulator - its knackered or needs fixing / replacing or we can try a spare alternator.

[Reck]

Yeah, lets try a spare. Let's not clean and paint it until we know it's working this time lol.

[nas80]

Yeah, lets try a spare. Let's not clean and paint it until we know it's working this time lol.

ahaha aye..

[Reck]

FYI that alternator that is in there now was definitely working on the last M10 I had installed. It's a refurb unit so the brushes and regulator should still be good. I bet it's not grounded properly.

Also - if the ignition control unit was broken, there wouldn't be a spark at the king lead would there? I'm putting a fiver on an issue with either the dizzy, rotor, cap or timing...

[Reck]

New ignition unit and dizzy fixed it. See owners gallery.