Refused to start, possibly no spark to plugs.

[Beeper 60]

Right, just got back from another annoying session at the lockup. It (1975 Mk3 FL 1.6XL) was running but not perfect then it refused to start a week or 3 ago and the battery was a bit tired anway, so off to Stockport for a new Ford (square terminals) battery. Fit it to the car and it eventually fires up and runs but has a flat spot when you rev it. Then it eventually refuses to start after it's warmed up. Today I check the cam timing again and think it may be 1 tooth out so I reset it all again anyway. Still it refuses to start. Then I fit my basic little strobe light to No1 plug and lead and there's no light. I think the bulb has popped in it. I pull the HT lead from the coil and dissy and fit the strobe there, crank it over and the light works. I have a prod at the points with the ignition on and they spark like a good'n. I put it all together again and still no spark at No1 lead. on the way home I though, "maybe it's the condensor". Thing is though, I replaced the condensor a while ago along with the points plugs and leads and it's not driven anywhere so are new condensors crapper than the old ones used to be and just die whilst sitting in a lockup?

Rant over.

[John Mack 286]

Have you tried your strobe light on any of the other cylinder leads?    Sounds like you're getting HT spark from coil but it's lost at distributer?

[Beeper 60]

I'll try that next time I'm over there. I really need a new strobe as the contact at the end of one of the leads disintigrated when I was faffing about with it all. oh the joys of classic motoring.

Edited December 16, 2018 by Beeper

[GhiaMk4/5 207]

Try the cheapish bits first, condenser, spark plugs, condenser etc, l have in the past fitted brand new spark plugs to one of my cars, similar thing, struggled to start, and it was a fair head scratcher, turned out to be the spark plugs, another new set in and normal service resumed. Even though you have a good spark at your points, is there much sideways movement in the distributor shaft ? Crank the engine over with the distributor cap off, l have a harness that l connect to my starter motor with a push button switch on it, so that l can crank the engine and see what is going on. 

[Beeper 60]

Quick update and new head scratcher!

 Found two old, used, condensers in a bag of bits 'n' bobs the other day.. These are most probably back from my days of Mk1 Fiesta ownership (black dissy cap). I took them to the lockup today and removed the "new" condenser that I fitted about 18 months ago and put better looking, old one on. Fitted my strobe to No1 plug and the dissy cap and cranked it over and 'hey presto', I have a spark again. I then took the strobe off, refitted the plug lead and sprayed a bit of Easystart into the filter housing trumpet and cranked it over. I did this a few times and turned the dissy slightly each time. Bare in mind I'm working in a dark lockup with only the rear light/torch from my Toyota as a light source. Finally, after a few attempt, twiddles and squirts it tries to fire up but only whilst keeping the starter cranking over! As soon as I let the key go it dies again. Then,...... there's a bit of an acrid smell coming from the engine bay, I stuggle past the VW engine propped up in the corner, scratch my leg on an exhaust manifold stud and shine my torch into the bay to see smoke coming from the starter area. The red lead from the battery is too hot to touch near the solenoid (pre engaged) and the rubber is melting to the point of being squishy between my fingers. So, battery lead undone and car shoved back into its' usual place and I leave it at that. What is wrong now? Oh, it's a brand new battery as well so that's not an issue.

Thanks in advance.

ps: Still not tracked down a brake reservoir seal either. Next classic, in fact any next car I buy will probably be another Toyota. Sorry guys.

Edited April 24, 2019 by Beeper

[GhiaMk4/5 207]

How good is the engine to chassis earth and your main earth,  it sounds like your starter is dying, but first try earth's, your type of starter motor is very easy to strip down, clean and service is new brushes and bearing, can't you get the car out and now you have a spark, just give it a bit of a tow and bump start it ?

[Beeper 60]

Don't really want to take it on the road with partially siezed brakes and a half empty brake reservoir,

also I can't drive my car and sit in the Cortina at the same time. (no, I have no mates )

On top of that it's not in the most desireable of places so the less the local scallies see of it the better.

[J2S 134]

Check the black yellow wire from the ignition switch to coil 

just had the same thing spark yes fuel yes nothing 

run a live straight to the coil see if it starts now .

 

[RT 1006 137]

19 hours ago, Beeper said:

Don't really want to take it on the road with partially siezed brakes and a half empty brake reservoir,

also I can't drive my car and sit in the Cortina at the same time. (no, I have no mates )

On top of that it's not in the most desireable of places so the less the local scallies see of it the better.

Looking at that picture I'd say you've got a leaking rear brake cylinder.

[Beeper 60]

Thanks for that, I'd say I've got leaking rear reservoir seal seeing as the fluid was all down the front of the servo before I wiped it off.

[MOVILLE_CORTINA 0]

On your ignition issue when the car is warm(I see you have other issues). I had something similar on my MK4 1.6 pinto. Advice from this forum suggested it was the rotor arm, and after replacing it the problem went away even though the old rotor arm looked OK but I had never replaced it. One of the cheaper components...

[Dave A 17]

Did you get car running? On the hot starter cable issue make sure connection is clean and tight. avoid excessive cranking or give the starter time to cool down. You could attach a jumper wire from the hot side of battery to positive side of coil and recheck to rule that out. negative side of coil should pulse from power to earth during crank over. Did you try a coil? 

[Beeper 60]

Back again! Yes it's been a while but hey. Today I went to check on how the rust was coming along and decided to remove the starter and clean it as suggested by somebody else and I think I found the, if not another, problem. The starter was literally held in situ with one bolt. The top and bottom bolts were virtually finger tight, so only the middle bolt was keeping it attached to the bellhousing. Anyhow, I've brought the starter motor home for a good wash down with a clean paint brush and a cup of old stale petrol. Fingers crossed once again.

edit: Oh and I forgot to bring the battery home for a charge, DOH!

Edited April 24, 2019 by Beeper

[sierra3dr 49]

Sounds positive Beeper

[GhiaMk4/5 207]

Take your starter to an electrical tester (Smithson's, in the potteries is my local independent), get them to bench test your starter while it is off, as above, fingers crossed, you have found your problem.