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no spark until I turn the key to run


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Wrote this up on the ZCAR site with no replies. Hoping someone here can help?

My 71 240 ran great, best it has in awhile. parked it for about 5 days and now I don't get any spark out of the coil until I turn the key back to the Run position.
I have read other posts that make it sound like its the key/lock assy, but I tried a remote starter, wouldn't that bypass the key position?
I see that new lock assemblies are cheap, but don't really want two keys. ( I know I can get it keyed alike but that costs more than the new part!)
I have a new Pertronix and coil so I don't think that would be the issue, however I am only getting 10 volts at the + side of the coil. I assume that is the correct voltage with the internal resistor (please correct me if I'm wrong)
Any others out there that have had the same experience? What did it turn out to be?
Thanks!

Couple of updates:

1) replaced the ignition switch and nothing changed.

2) tried jumping the + bat to the + coil no spark.

3) replaced the connection at the + coil since I was getting 12 volts from the wire but when plugged in it dropped to 10. 

I get a different reading almost every time I check the voltage.

can anyone explain the starting process for our cars? I also have the pertronix system in my car so no external resistor and a 3 ohm coil.

Anything helps! 

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Read these instructions, linked below, and do the voltage test.  With no jumper wire you should not see the voltage drop that you are seeing.  The fact that you are measuring 10 volts kind of implies that your module, or the wiring, is shorted out and passing current when it should not.  The reason you get a spark when you turn the key off is because you are "breaking' the spark circuit.  It is already "made" because of the bad module or short circuit.  That is how spark is made - the circuit through the coil is made, then the spark happens when it is broken.  Make, break, make, break...

 

The part number might not be right but the instructions are all the same, for the first series of Pertronix Ignitors.  The later modules have a safety feature that switches off the current so the module doesn't burn up.

 

Have you ever left the key On for an extended period?

 

https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/pnx-1281.pdf

 

"4.Turn the ignition switch to the “on” position and note voltage reading on the voltmeter. Quickly read the voltage and turn ignition “OFF”. Leaving ignition “ON” for an extended period could result in permanent damage to the Ignitor."

 

image.png.05ff0f5ee5d321c09c7f2318f0a9bfda.png

 

Edited by NewZed
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