No "power" to the coil - ready to salvage this thing out!

First of all, I am not one with patience and easily agitated when it comes to car problems.

Boy oh boy, if its not two things, its twenty. Was going to move my wagon (72 Kingswood Estate) out of "the hole" to the front of the house in the driveway to start tearing off the front of the engine.... guess what, it wont start! :banghead3: This car has never failed to start. Its getting gas.. in fact it ended up flooding because it was not getting power. Not sure if its related, but my dad took it upon hisself to remove my coil to see if that was a starting issue on another car we had... it started the other car, so he bought a new coil for it and put the one back on my wagon, but now it will not start. He took it (coil) back off and back on again and triple checked the connections, they are fine and right. He had me crank and he did something to check to see if power was evening going to the coil and said it was not. Now I dont know whats wrong. I just slammed the door, murmered something about it being a hunk of junk and went marching inside the house in frustration. :O

I dont know if was something he did, or if it was coincidence... true, the car never had power, but it had never had a starting issue. I am not going to go in depth with this issue since I was already hesitating even getting back to the timing chain to see if it was off, so unless this is something really simple, this car is going bye-bye. Either selling it at a MAJOR loss or try to trade it for something that already runs/drives if thats possible. Tired of messing with it.

Anyone know whats up with the no power to coil or what to check first.


Thanks for any info.

 

Check the ignition switch.

 

this may have been the problem all along....not enuff voltage to the coil!!!

start tracing wires my friend

 

Thats what I was afraid of and something I dont want to tackle at all. That coil wire runs into a big wiring harness that is all taped up with factory tape that runs into a plastic holder. I can only imagine what other problems would crop up if I did that. I guess since I cant find anyone competent to work in it for me, it may be time for me to throw in the towel.

Oh well, I am seriously thinking its over with me and this car.

Thanks for the info though!

Maybe another wagon in my near future.

 

That red and white wire goes to the coil... as you can see it runs into that wiring loom... what a mess. I really didnt want to go messing with the electrical system. I would screw it up for sure. I would rather tackle taking off the front of the engine.



shown disconnected here where he was working on it and had not put it back on yet.

 

One way to do a quick check is to reattach the negative to the coil and run a cable from the positive of the battery to the coil. If she starts you know you have a bad wire. If it is sitting in the back yard for 1 day a mouse could have gotten to it. Also check the battery. Just cause it says 12V doesn't mean anything once the engine starts to crank.

 

That is not a points-type distributor is it?:confused:

 

Starting problems

You don't have to unwrap wiring, get a volt ohm meter and turn ignition switch on and see if you have 8-9 volts at white wire at coil. If not check at connection under steering column. It maybe a switch that is bad but try to narrow the problem down before replacing parts. Bill

 

Tony, it is too much of a coincidence. Check all of the suggestions above, but also recheck the conections on the Coil. Also try another Coil. If all fails, re-check the points. Bad points (and condensor) can also make you think that you have a bad coil. This could very well be your good luck. It is very possible it is related to your original problem.

Bill

 

Could have been a corroded wire inside the casing that goes to the coil. When it was moved around when taken off it may have broke apart inside.

 

72, GET RID OF IT!! Though it's a beautiful wagon, it's been nothing but a constant source of frustration to you and that alone, is reason to say bye bye. Having an old car is supposed to be fun and enjoyable and your Kingswood has been anything but. Get what you can for it and don't even ask the guy what he's going to do with it. If he is going to (the d word) it, you and we are much better off not knowing. Write it off as a loss, get rid of that thorn in your side and get something you can have fun with. It's time, my friend!!!

 

Aww don't give up! We have faith you will fix it and be on your way!

 

I'm with snooter on that. As simple as it may be to find and fix, you'll always be waiting for some other issue. Without the skills and passion for it you end up doubting it, and it will respond accordingly. Let her go, and get happy again. You're serving it right now, not the other way around.

 

No power

Don't giveup on her yet. an hour or 2 of analazing and I bet you have the problem solved. You will feel better about sticking to it and finding source of problem. If you are like me it's most likely of your own making. Besides these BB estate wagons are hard to come by. Good luck. Bill

 

72Kingswood,
For
The
Love
Of
God (and station wagons)
PLEASE do not let your wagon go to a derby. I'm no mechanic and unfortunately can not offer you any advice on what to test or try next, but...
I
BEG
YOU...
don't give up on her!!! If you do decide to cut your loss and divest yourself of it, PM ME PLEASE. At the very least, I'll provide her shelter and a safe haven until I can get her running again. Just please....don't let her go to a derby!
I'm serious.
My name is Matt. Contact me, please.