Ignition Problems

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Sun May 16, 2010 5:58 pm

I have willys, not sure exactly which model I think a CJ2A. we got it from an uncle and it started right up after it had been sitting for years. we were driving out in the field one day and it quit. thought it was the carb, so it was rebuilt, we were getting weak and inconsistent spark so we changed the coil, then plugs, condenser, entire distributer, and wires. put a tester on the plug and get voltage spikes but no sparks. this is a 12 v system but prior to the coil there is a regulator down to 6 v. I don't think the plugs are exactly right but they should at least fire.. any suggestions?

Post by **wesk** » Sun May 16, 2010 9:18 pm

Coils can be 6 volt, 12 volt with built in resistor or 12 volt which require an external resistor. Make sure you are not using combining a 12 volt with built in resistor coil with an external resistor as well.

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Tue May 18, 2010 9:14 pm

Well i have the same voltage on both sides of the coil so I dont think it has an internal resistor. Thanks for the tip. I should double check though that it is not a 6 v coil. I guess I can me assured that this system is supposed to have a 12v coil since it has the external resistor?

Post by **wesk** » Wed May 19, 2010 12:13 am

A 6 volt coil and a 12 volt "use with external resistor" coil are one in the same. They are both 6 volt coils. They are designed to function with an input voltage of from 6.0 to 8.2 volts at the + terminal. The voltage available at the - terminal will vary depending on weather the ignition points are open or closed. Avoid leaving the ignition switch on with the points closed. It will burn up the coil.

Unplug the secondary coil wire from the distributor cap. Hold it about 1/4" from the block. Take the distributor cap off and with the key on manually open and close the points. If you get a fat spark from the wire to the block the coil and points are good.