getting ready to "push the button"
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,236
Likes: 798
From: Indiana
OK. YOU owe me a NEW laptop! I just fired DIET DEW all over the screen!
Thanks for the laugh!
just did a WOT compression test. Both cylinders showing 170 psi.
Wire trick next. Stay tuned. YOU may WIN a FREE Mickey D's MEAL!
Thanks for the laugh!
just did a WOT compression test. Both cylinders showing 170 psi.
Wire trick next. Stay tuned. YOU may WIN a FREE Mickey D's MEAL!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,070
Likes: 2,115
From: Ohio
Walk before running, check carb accellerator pump pattern as just mentioned to confirm getting gas. Pull a plug wire to confirm blue spark, not yellow, if you have spark and gas then it is timing. Redneck timing test is to have the plugs pulled hooked to the plug wires and bump the starter, when compression exits the spark plug hole, the plug for that cylinder should fire close to the same time (single fire), if not then a ignition timing problem is present or wires are on the coil backwards as mentioned if firing on wrong cylinder.
Have seen electronic ignitions "forget" themselves with low voltage was present (battery discharge) during work performed and not start. Needed the power source removed and reconnected to "reset" it. The engine sounds like it is firing a small blurb out the exhaust when it happens.
You have good compression so the Velva Touch's set at 1 1/2 turns are OK. That compression is going to be a runner when she fires, Bertha will probaly shed some weight when she starts moving as fast as I think she will.
Have seen electronic ignitions "forget" themselves with low voltage was present (battery discharge) during work performed and not start. Needed the power source removed and reconnected to "reset" it. The engine sounds like it is firing a small blurb out the exhaust when it happens.
You have good compression so the Velva Touch's set at 1 1/2 turns are OK. That compression is going to be a runner when she fires, Bertha will probaly shed some weight when she starts moving as fast as I think she will.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 931
Likes: 112
From: Oregon
Walk before running, check carb accellerator pump pattern as just mentioned to confirm getting gas. Pull a plug wire to confirm blue spark, not yellow, if you have spark and gas then it is timing. Redneck timing test is to have the plugs pulled hooked to the plug wires and bump the starter, when compression exits the spark plug hole, the plug for that cylinder should fire close to the same time (single fire), if not then a ignition timing problem is present or wires are on the coil backwards as mentioned if firing on wrong cylinder.
Have seen electronic ignitions "forget" themselves with low voltage was present (battery discharge) during work performed and not start. Needed the power source removed and reconnected to "reset" it. The engine sounds like it is firing a small blurb out the exhaust when it happens.
You have good compression so the Velva Touch's set at 1 1/2 turns are OK. That compression is going to be a runner when she fires, Bertha will probaly shed some weight when she starts moving as fast as I think she will.
Have seen electronic ignitions "forget" themselves with low voltage was present (battery discharge) during work performed and not start. Needed the power source removed and reconnected to "reset" it. The engine sounds like it is firing a small blurb out the exhaust when it happens.
You have good compression so the Velva Touch's set at 1 1/2 turns are OK. That compression is going to be a runner when she fires, Bertha will probaly shed some weight when she starts moving as fast as I think she will.
1) Good compression....check.
2) Squirting fuel from accelerator pump.......check.
3) Big Fat Blue, not yellow or weak, spark.....check??????
4) Spark occurring at the right time......ckeck?????
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 7,811
From: SE Louisiana
It's got fuel, you good there.
I used to clip one end on the hot on the starter and carefully touch the other clip to the coil, or you'll be arc welding under the fuel tank, fun fun.
Or,
You hold the wire on both ends and get someone to hit the button.
Now that I installed the power relay it'll fire even if it just barely turns over.
Like 1997 bagger says, it would act like it fired out of time and maybe just backfire every now and then.
I would supply better voltage to the coil, and it would fire if I just looked at the starter button.
May not be your problem, but need to be sure.
Good luck!
I used to clip one end on the hot on the starter and carefully touch the other clip to the coil, or you'll be arc welding under the fuel tank, fun fun.
Or,
You hold the wire on both ends and get someone to hit the button.
Now that I installed the power relay it'll fire even if it just barely turns over.
Like 1997 bagger says, it would act like it fired out of time and maybe just backfire every now and then.
I would supply better voltage to the coil, and it would fire if I just looked at the starter button.
May not be your problem, but need to be sure.
Good luck!
Last edited by Schex; Jan 20, 2013 at 10:09 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,070
Likes: 2,115
From: Ohio
Carb is fine then, I believe you said it fired earlier with aid and after that but not on it's own later which is strange, check that spark color as I believe you have a coil or ignition module failure, just because something is new doesn't mean it works, I oversee mechanical/electronic repairs daily and new electronic parts work for a startup and won't work next startup that throws us off until we circle back to the recently installed new part and it failed.
Make sure you check that ground supply wire to the ignition module, it sends alternating grounds to the outer terminals of the coil that fires it, if the module doesn't have a good ground or clean 12 volts, it can act like a failing module also so this is where a VOM comes into diagnostics.
If it was EFI changed to a carb, the cam pickup rotor also needed replaced due to different signal notches
Make sure you check that ground supply wire to the ignition module, it sends alternating grounds to the outer terminals of the coil that fires it, if the module doesn't have a good ground or clean 12 volts, it can act like a failing module also so this is where a VOM comes into diagnostics.
If it was EFI changed to a carb, the cam pickup rotor also needed replaced due to different signal notches
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,236
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From: Indiana
I wouldn't call it big and fat, but the spark is blue.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,070
Likes: 2,115
From: Ohio
Ok Traildog, we need a check, check