fried distributor...

npca-daner · Post by **npca-daner** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:08 pm

Hola all: I just finished up fire seson and have been waiting for months for the chance to have a day off and cruise the Patrol: Before I left it was running fine and never failed to start right up, and had been reliable. however, when I went out to start it up it it cranked forever without a hint of firing. A quick check of the distributor showed that something had shorted out inside the distributor, the ground wire inside was melted. I dropped in a spare distributor and after craking for 5 seconds I notice smoke coming from my second distributor, same thing. What could be causing this? The vehicle was in perfect operating condition when I parked it, any Ideas?

npca-riverpatrol · Post by **npca-riverpatrol** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:11 am

Put some ketchup on it - that always makes burnt fried stuff taste better. Check the wire that goes from the distributor to thr coil - not the high-tension wire. Make sure that it is connected to the negative (-) side of the coil, and that the power lead to the coil from the ignition is connected to the positive (+) side. Other than that, don't know how that could happen.

npca-daner · Post by **npca-daner** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:25 am

Leslie-That is horrible advice, a good medium salsa would go much better with a fried distributor...Anyways, I checked out the coil, it is hooked up correctly, the only thing I havent checked is to see if one of the kids borrowed the battery (as they tend to do) and hooked it up backwards. If anyone else can think of something that I might be missing let me know, thanks Daner

npca-hoss · Post by **npca-hoss** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:29 am

; i would also check the battery ground. and if it does not have one i would ; add a ground strap from the engine to the frame. yeah i know you would think one ; would be enough but if one is corroded remember electricity goes the shortest ; distance to ground and if the patrol has been sitting and the areas that used to ; ground have become rusted corroded etc. the electricity will find a new place to ; ground so check to see if you have a ground other than the battery if not add ; one and add a large one. most of the older cars have the braided type with no ; sheathing that can become corroded and covered in mud etc. i would add a ground ; the same size as the battery ground bolt to the side of the engine somewhere and ; to the frame in a good clean area and make sure it is the shielded type with ; good soldered ends etc. remember the engine has or is supposed to have rubber ; cushioned motor and trans. mounts. thus the need for a couple of good grounds ; one to the engine and one to the frame. mark

npca-honda guy · Post by **npca-honda guy** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:14 am

sounds to me like a shorted coil. if the coil has zero resistance between the pos and neg terminals, try a new one. Actually, just try a new one first, that is the only logical culprit. A circuit with no load is a short. In the ignition circuit, the coil is the only load (should have some resistance). Without a load, somthing will fry. good luck!

npca-brutus · Post by **npca-brutus** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:21 am

If everything else turns up right it could probably bethe condenser( or the capaciter as you might call itin the states ). A faulty capaciter is enough to makethe spark even burn through the points. ______________________________________________________ Yahoo! for Good Donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate3/

npca-abuelo442 · Post by **npca-abuelo442** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:36 am

Could it be a shorted coil?

npca-brutus · Post by **npca-brutus** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:18 am

I dont think it could . I have blown nearly 20 coilsin my jeep, but that did not cause short-curcuit,although i did damage the electricals due to a damagedcharging regulator once. __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com

npca-daner · Post by **npca-daner** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:21 am

First of all thanks to everyone for the input on the fried dizzy, as it turns out it was the coil. I'm not sure if it was the coil or the internal resistor, but I replaced the coil and it fired right up. It seems to be running a little smoother than before, my guess is that the replacement dizzy is a little tighter...I dont understand the physics of a coil failing while parked, but am stoked that the ol Patrol is running again!

npca-daner · Post by **npca-daner** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:50 pm

Moab Oct 1-5th?