Ignition Trouble Shooting

The Following are MAFCA Starting Points to help you diagnose Model A ignition circuit problems...

Check the Following:
Here are the checks to make:

• Yellow wire connected from post on starter switch to terminal box post (post on passenger side of terminal box).
• Ammeter (-) side connects to passenger side post on terminal box.
• Ammeter (+) side connects to driver side post on terminal box.
• Black wire connects from driver side post on terminal box to coil (-) terminal.
• Red wire connects from coil (+) terminal to ignition switch.
• Yellow/Black wire also connects from driver side terminal box post to the cut out terminal. That completes the ignition wiring except for the ignition cable and distributor plate.
• Here is a voltage check of the circuit:
• Connect the (+) side of your volt meter to a good ground point on the engine or frame.
• Touch the (-) probe to the passenger side terminal box wing nut. Read 6 volts.
• Touch the probe to the driver side terminal box wing nut. Read 6 volts.
• Touch the probe to the (-) terminal on coil. Read 6 volts.
• Touch the probe to the (+) terminal on coil. Read 6 volts.
• Place a piece of paper between the point contacts.
• NOW TURN IGNITION KEY ON.
• Touch the probe to the end of the points arm, read 6 volts.
• Remove paper between points. Open and close points and look for spark each time points open, (no spark means bad condenser, replace condenser).
• If points are sparking then disconnect the coil center (high tension wire) from the distributor cap (leave connected at distributor end). Place the free end of the coil wire about 1/8" from one of the engine head nuts. Crank the engine over with the ignition key on. There should be a bright blue arc from the coil wire to the nut (ground point). No arc means bad coil.