Intermittent no start condition

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

Just freshened my engine. Now it won't start. No spark at the plugs. How do you check the pick up on the crank trigger with an ohm meter. Using a 7AL box and crank trigger. Carburetor set up. Just looking for some ideas. The coil is nearly new. The MSD parts are older but have been real reliable.

Mike, make a small jumper wire, disconnect your crank trigger, with power on to MSD and a spark tester or an old spark plug on the coil wire (grounded of course) momentarily touch the jumper across the 2 terminals of the crank sensor harness. You should get a spark from the coil each time you remove the jumper.Other than that I believe you should see 800-900 ohms from the sensor, I agree with Rich crank sensors are very robust and do rarely fail though they're often blamed. I think MSD has a trouble shooting section on their web site but don't remember for sure.I'd bet someone you know has a MSD ignition tester, invaluable piece of equipment well worth the investment. BTW stay clear if the coils terminals as the have very high voltage potential DO NOT lay your arm against them (ask me how I know). Good luck. Joe

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by buzzinhalfdozen

Mike, make a small jumper wire, disconnect your crank trigger, with power on to MSD and a spark tester or an old spark plug on the coil wire (grounded of course) momentarily touch the jumper across the 2 terminals of the crank sensor harness. You should get a spark from the coil each time you remove the jumper.Other than that I believe you should see 800-900 ohms from the sensor, I agree with Rich crank sensors are very robust and do rarely fail though they're often blamed. I think MSD has a trouble shooting section on their web site but don't remember for sure.I'd bet someone you know has a MSD ignition tester, invaluable piece of equipment well worth the investment. BTW stay clear if the coils terminals as the have very high voltage potential DO NOT lay your arm against them (ask me how I know). Good luck. Joe

I got mine started over the weekend. It was the pick up coil on the crank trigger. I did the jumper check and had spark. Changed out the pick up and she fired right up. Thanks for the tip on how to check that. Lots of good advice on this site!! Thanks again guys.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Mike, happy to help, that's what makes this site so great...lot's of good info. I personally love the tech discussions, always seem to learn something.