coil not producing a spark

[72ElCamino]

Hey guys, I am having yet another problem with the el camino so i figured i would turn to you guys for an answer. The El Camino has a conventional ignition system with breaker points and a coil. Now to check for spark from the high intensity wire from the coil to the distributor, We took the connection out of the distributor cap and tried to arc an electric current to a piece of metal on the car and their was nothing. I checked for power at the positive end of the coil when the key was in drive, and in the start (cranking over) position and got a reading both times. I did a conductivity test on the high intensity wire from the top of the coil to the distributor cap, and current could flow through it. Now the wire from the negative side of the coil to the points I believe could be my problem. I did a conductivity test on this, measuring Ohms, and the needle was all over the place. This of course occuring when i moved the wire around. I believe that the wire could be grounding out on metal. Now here is where my question is at. (By high intensity I mean the wire that is made out of spark plug wire material). Could the grounding wire to the breaker points cause no flow of current from the high intensity wire at the coil to the distributor cap? Will this cause the car to not start? And also, could this be an instant kill switch to the engine if the wire is grounded? Thanks in advance

 

[lmracer]

i think you might have it. it may be invoulentarily grounded to your vehicle structure. also you might want to check rudimentary fundementals like a corrosion inspection in the system, clean the points, check the gap from the points to the coil, and use your amperage meter (is it a multi-meter?) to check if the power is distributed properly on the rotational pattern. if you have assembled this ignition yourself there is a possibility of error. trust me, it can be deceiving.

 

[skip0110]

A spray bottle with water (set on mist) used in the dark can be very useful in tracing a leaking high-voltage ignition circuit 👍 You'll see the sparks where it is arcing out.

 

[72ElCamino]

Thanks guys, i just wanted some reassurance on the issue. We actually put a new set of points and a new coil in (even though they were a year and a half old) to see if that would do the trick. I was just making sure a grounded wire going to the breaker points would cause no power going into the distributor cap.