Should ignition points spark?

Points shouldn't spark when the engine is running but they might while you're working on it. The points are the grounding circuit for the primary side of the ignition coil. If the secondary side is not completed - spark plugs in and hooked up, (make sure the plug leads are good) you can get a spark across the points.

Besides, what are the symptoms of a bad ignition condenser?

Engine runs rough A failing points and condenser system can cause rough running, misfires, lean and rich conditions. If the engine is difficult to start, and runs rough once it does start, then it is time to contact a mechanic to have a look at the system and find out exactly what the problem is.

Similarly, how do Points work ignition? When the points are touching each other electricity runs from the battery, through the coil and to the engine block, which is grounded to the negative terminal on the battery. The current running through the windings in the ignition coil builds up a powerful electrical field that is unleashed when the points separate.

Secondly, can bad points cause no spark?

If you have 12v there, then manually open the points and check for spark from the coil. If no spark, remove the wire from the points and manually "spark" it to ground. If spark, then problem is bad points or condensor. If no spark, then the problem is coil or the wire to the points.

How do you test an ignition condenser?

How to Test a Condenser in a Small Engine

Remove the condenser from the engine.
Switch the volt ohmmeter to the ohms position.
Touch the red lead to the hot connector on the condenser.
Remove the leads and reverse the placement to the condenser.
Movement from the meter's needle indicates the condenser is good.

31 Related Question Answers Found

How do you diagnose a bad condenser?

If the condenser becomes too hot, it will not be able to convert the refrigerant into cooled liquid form required to produce cold air.

Usually the vehicle will display a few symptoms when the condenser fan has failed.

Lukewarm air.
Car overheating while idling.
Burning smell when the AC is on.

How do you test an ignition condenser with a multimeter?

To test the capacitor with a multimeter, set the meter to read in the high ohms range, somewhere above 10k and 1m ohms. Touch the meter leads to the corresponding leads on the capacitor, red to positive and black to negative. The meter should start at zero and then moving slowly toward infinity.

Will an engine run without a condenser?

Yep, cars WILL RUN without a condenser (it's really a capacitor) but the points will burn out faster! Electrical current will try to keep flowing when a switch (the points in this case) are opened so there will be an 'arc' across the points until they are open far enough to break the circuit.

What does ignition condenser do?

Basically the function of a condenser in a coil ignition circuit is to reduce the spark at the contact points as they open in the distributor and thus minimise burning and pitting of the points. Arcing is caused by the effect of self induction in the coil as the points interrupt the flow of current.

Will a bad condenser cause weak spark?

Weak spark is often the result of a bad condenser (and it's a cheap part to replace). If you see higher resistance here, then you need to clean and check the connections and the circuit path to ground through the points. Also check resistance between the distributor body and the engine block.

Does a ignition condenser need to be grounded?

The condenser body needs to be grounded, and the lead wire can connect anywhere between the coil and points. You can screw the condenser bracket to the coil mounting bracket, and connect the lead wire to the coil primary points wire connector.

How long do ignition points last?

With one or two cleanings, a good set of points should last at least 5,000 miles, and possibly as many as 8,000.

How do you test a 12v ignition coil?

You can test a 12-volt ignition coil for effectiveness by checking the resistance of its wire windings with a multimeter.

Disconnect your engine's main negative battery cable with a wrench.
Pull the main ignition coil wire, the one that leads to the distributor, off the coil.

How is no spark diagnosed?

If you do not see a spark, there is an ignition problem. Remove a plug wire and insert an old spark plug or a spark plug tester into the end of the wire (the plug boot). Place the spark plug on a metal surface on the engine, or ground the spark plug tester to the engine. Then crank the engine to check for a spark.

What happens if point gap is too small?

Also, having too small of a point gap increases point "dwell" and can cause the points and coils to overheat. Too wide of a point gap can lead to a weak spark. The procedure, in a nutshell, is you set point gaps between 0.014" and 0.16". Then you set the timing to the first timing mark.

How do you test a distributor ignition module?

Check for voltage at the coil positive terminal when the ignition key is on. Place the red lead of the multimeter on the positive coil terminal. Place the black lead to the battery negative terminal. Turn on the ignition switch to the "Run" position.

How do you set dwell on points ignition?

Your dwell, and thus your points gap, needs to be set before you get out the timing light. To set the dwell, remove the distributor cap and rotor, ground the coil wire and remove all the spark plugs from the engine. Set up your dwell meter and hook up a remote starter.

What causes ignition points to burn?

The usual causes for pitted or burned points are setting the points too close or having a bad condenser. I assume you have replaced both the condenser and the points, so double check the gap on the points. Or even better, use a dwell meter if you can find one.

How do you replace points and condenser?

Part 1 of 1: Replacing a points & condenser

Materials Needed.
Step 1: Disconnect battery.
Step 2: Locate and remove distributor cap.
Step 3: Disconnect and remove the set of points.
Step 4: Remove condenser.
Step 5: Install new condenser.
Step 6: Install new points set.
Step 7: Grease distributor.

What does a condenser do in a magneto?

What does the condenser do in a magneto? In short, the capacitor in an ignition system manages the rate of change of the voltage in the low tension ignition circuit when the contact breaker opens, to prevent the energy that is meant to produce an HT spark at the plug from being wasted as arcing at the contact breaker.

Are ignition condensers interchangeable?

Is the points condenser the same rating as the ignition coil condenser? Are they interchangeable? Yes they are the exact same part. They have the same voltage rating, and the same capacitance value.

How do I test my ignition system?

To test the operation of both the ignition coil and the spark plug, connect the tester between the spark plug boot and the spark plug. Then start the engine and watch the tester window. A spark plug misfire will immediately be evident in the tester window.