1980 Camaro still wouldn't start? why?

Question

When you turn the key, the car turns over will not egnite. It is getting fuel, the battery is brand new working great, and the spark plugs are new as well, yet there is no charge getting to the spark plugs so they cannot light. Why is there no electricity getting there? Is it the coil? How can i check if the distributer cap is working? Thanks

Answer 1

Common problem on GM HEI distributors.



There is an ignition module located where the points would have been. These can fail and you lose spark



Be sure to add a little dielectric grease under the new module. This dissipates heat so your new module won't overheat.

Answer 2

Check to make sure the coil ground is attached properly. (9 times out of 10 that's why you don't get a spark) Either that or check the distributor cap for wear and tear, if there is any corrosion at all you should just replace it (Should be like $15 unless it's HEI then it will be around $35) If it's still not getting a spark, check the sparkplug wires for wear and tear also.

Answer 3

1 of 5 things..

ignition module bad

coil bad

carbon bush bad

or your 12 volt wire to dist not hooked up or fuse blown to that power wire.

Your tach wire is shorting out to ground or touching the batt term on dist.



Look on drivers side top of dist cap.. You will see the words "TACH" and "BATT". Check the "BATT" wire to make sure it has 12 volts with the key on.



Then trace the "TACH" wire if your car has a tach to make sure its not shorting out.



Next take the top cover of dist off, you'll see the coil, take coil out.. Under the coil is the carbon bush. It's about 3/4" long, has a spring on one end (top side) and a round pc. of carbon on other end that sticks through cap. That part hits the rotor button, if its worn down too far, then it can't transfer the coil's spark to rotor.



Next would be the ignition module. Take dist. cap off.. Remove rotor buttom. Now look at the drivers side and kinda front of dist.. You'll see the ignition module. It's flat, held on with 2 screws, has 2 wires on each side of it (4 total)

Answer 4

disconnect lead from coil to dizzy center at dizzy, hold 1/4" from metal of motor and have somonre spin the engine over. if spark that's ok. remove dizzy cap and examine inside for dirt/cracks/corrosion/damage/wear and the rotor arm pulls off, examine for dirty/damaged end. examine central cap connection to see it has a carbon brush which can be depressed and releases. replace any and all bad parts. check all HT leadsfor good condition and a resistance of 5K Ohms / ft + or - 10%. check ignition module or points, check that rotor goes round when motor cranked over. report back as needed.

Answer 5

GM distributors of that vintage had problems. What you really need is a known good distributor that you can plug in to replace your distributor. You can prove your not getting any spark to the spark plugs by doing a spark test with the spark tester below.



http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=BK&PartNumber=7002456&Description=Electronic+Ignition+Spark+Tester

Answer 6

change the ignition module inside the distriburator, it's the thing that 4 wires plug onto and when you put the new one in, make sure you put the dialectric grease that comes with the new one on the bottom side of the module.

Answer 7

ALL GOOD ANSWERS BUT THE TWO MOST COMMON ARE IN THE DISTRIBUTER.THE IGNITION MODUAL OR THE PICK UP COIL THAT SITS IN THE BASE OF THE DISTRIBUTER AROUND THE SHAFT.THE WIRE TO IT IS PROBABLY FRIED AND YOU CANT SEE IT WHEN ITS IN PLACE. YOU HAVE TO PULL THE DISTRIBUTER OUT AND PULL THE SHAFT OUT TO REPLACE IT BUT I WOULD BET THAT IS THE PROBLEM,LET ME KNOW IF IT FIXES IT [e-mail]

Answer 8

Your project, of course is "electric " or "gasoline" in case you're taking the conceal off your carb and in case you scent gasoline this is something electric. probable your coil or distributor. Pull certainly one of your plug leads off yet save it very close to to the spark plug and characteristic somebody turn the engine over. you probable won't see an "arc" in case you do and you have gasoline then i've got faith "timing" i for my area suspect the coil do away with it and characteristic it examined . in case you do no longer scent gasoline then you definately have not have been given any . pour some ounce without postpone into the carb and swap it over.

Answer 9

Hey there,

I downloaded Mad Caps for free here: http://j.mp/1BDAHFR



it's a perfectly working link!

You must do several fun things to succeed in Mad Caps, like shooting bullets with different kinds of guns, collect the letters to find hidden words, etc.

Answer 10

Check the module in the distributor. If it's dead it could be your whole problem,