willysmjeeps.com

Hi all,
I'm just putting my M38 back together after some years of being in bits.

I have no spark.
26 volts going into the distributor from wire 12 from switch on dash but no spark.
I'm thinking it's the coil, a real bug bear as a new one will have to come from mainland Europe and will take days.
I can't figure out easily in my shed how to test the coil other than for continuity on the Primary Side, which is OK.
My friend mentioned the Condenser and to try and remagnetise it ? as they often lose their field when standing for a while.

How do I do this?
Thanks, Dave.

Condenser (also known as a capacitor) is a suppressor for flashover at the points. It absorbs excess electricity as the contacts just start to open then discharges itself to ground. Nothing magnetic about them at all. If you suspect the condenser then disconnect it for a short check of the points function without it.

There is a second capacitor in that distributor that can cause your problem. It is the noise filter inside the plug nipple on the side of the distributor where you connect #12 wire. It can short internally or it can fail open, either of which will leave you without spark.Since most M jeeps are no longer active radio jeeps it doesn't hurt to remove it and convert it to a bypass wire through device.


The capacitor (noise filter) is shown at the top.


Here's the noise filter modified to a straight thru wire device.

The coil was meant to be tested with a coil tester which applied a specific voltage and load and measured the amperage used by the coil.

In lieu of a coil tester use your VOM. Primary ohms will be around .5 to 1.5 and secondary anywhere from 13,000 to 19,000.

Hi dave, nice to hear you are back working at your M38 !

Erik

Hi Erik,
The M38 has been standing for a long time while I did other jobs (raising the family!) The time has come to get her up and running again.
It's amazing, this M38 stood on a mountain in Greece in a field for over 30 years and the engine started second try.
The same engine stands for 5 years in my garage and will not start.
Hey ho.
God to here from you,
David.

Hi,
I've tested between the + and - terminals (a and b) on the photo, I'm getting 3.2 to 3.5 mega ohm, that seems a lot of resistance.

Thanks, much appreciated,
Dave.

That would mean an open primary and you need a new coil.

I use a M201 coil, also 24 volt and same dimensions.

Is there not a coil in the distributor of your 201 replacement engine ?

succes !

Erik