Wiring She won't start. So far I've gone down the line in the TSM

[Turbogus]

Hi Gang it's been a long time. Over the last year and a half 'Black Betty' has been giving me fits with the Ignition system. (1978 CJ5 w/360) I've installed a new Primary Battery (I have a 2nd one for my winch) and I've tried replacing the Starter Solenoid and checking the wiring from it to the E-Coil yes I'm most of the way to the Team Rush upgrade. Since the mods necessary for the Team Rush upgrade I've gone as far as I can save for the Ignition MSD Module box and she was running fine until last year. The distributor has not been altered and the starter spins the motor up fine. I've taken the steps in the DARS chart in the official Jeep TSM and I'm at a loss on how to proceed. If there's any electrical gurus left here please chime in. Thanks and a lift of the lynch lid.
Gus

 

[Belizean]

Well when you are ready I’ll make you a good deal on some MSD boxes. I have 2 and one slightly used as spare.

 

[Turbogus]

Thanks Belizean, but I have a brand new MSD 6 languishing in my garage until I figure out what this electrical gremlin is. Thanks though.

 

[CJ]

Hi Gang it's been a long time. Over the last year and a half 'Black Betty' has been giving me fits with the Ignition system. (1978 CJ5 w/360) I've installed a new Primary Battery (I have a 2nd one for my winch) and I've tried replacing the Starter Solenoid and checking the wiring from it to the E-Coil yes I'm most of the way to the Team Rush upgrade. Since the mods necessary for the Team Rush upgrade I've gone as far as I can save for the Ignition MSD Module box and she was running fine until last year. The distributor has not been altered and the starter spins the motor up fine. I've taken the steps in the DARS chart in the official Jeep TSM and I'm at a loss on how to proceed. If there's any electricalView attachment 104661View attachment 104662 gurus left here please chime in. Thanks and a lift of the lynch lid.
Gus

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View attachment 104664

First thing to ask is FAS. Fuel, air and spark.
We can safely eliminate the first two so let's talk Spark.
Your using the original Jeep system which I believe has gone kapoot.
The big question is what distributor do you have? That makes a difference as to where to progress.

 

[CJ]

Thanks Belizean, but I have a brand new MSD 6 languishing in my garage until I figure out what this electrical gremlin is. Thanks though.

Hell yes, thank you @Belizean

 

[Turbogus]

I've verified fuel as I've seen fuel squirt from the Accelerator Pump nozzles and when I've pushed the throttle overly, fuel leaves the Bowl Vent. I've also verified spark by means of a spare Spark Plug to each cylinder and I have spark. Throughout this work I've had the Air Cleaner removed, So I'm looking for other ideas.

 

[Griffin6]

Just a simple recommendation to check the connectors on your coil. I put on a new plastic coil connector and discovered, after a lot of frustration, the cheap foreign made plastic part electrical connections did not properly seat. Maybe metric vs standard sizing, regardless they failed to properly connect. I used some advice from this forum and direct wired the coil without the plastic connector and it fired right up.

 

[CJ]

I've verified fuel as I've seen fuel squirt from the Accelerator Pump nozzles and when I've pushed the throttle overly, fuel leaves the Bowl Vent. I've also verified spark by means of a spare Spark Plug to each cylinder and I have spark. Throughout this work I've had the Air Cleaner removed, So I'm looking for other ideas.

Well, if you have the three essential elements to satisfy the squish - bang - boom that an internal combustion engine needs; which is air, fuel and spark. The next question is what does your timing look like. Because you have the three basic elements, this engine should be running.

 

[Turbogus]

The timing has been undisturbed since it was running. Down the line on the DARS chart I noted that the voltage was down from the Starter Relay and the Coil 4.8v when it should be closer to 6.0 +/- .05. One thing occurred, ages ago I had a '69 Pontiac LeMans the had plastic composite timing gears (Silent Runners we called them) that broke it's teeth off. I then went to steel after we found the rotor spinning erratically. AMC didn't go with these I doubt.

 

[CJ]

Have you checked the timing? Some AMCs had plastic gears.
If the timing is correct then the only thing I can think is the spark is not hot enough.

 

[Turbogus]

Well dip me in buttermilk, I thought it was a GM thing. I didn't know AMC did this too. Thank you so much.

 

[CJ]

Well dip me in buttermilk, I thought it was a GM thing. I didn't know AMC did this too. Thank you so much.

It may not be your problem but please check your timing...

 

[Turbogus]

Sure thing and thank you so much for chiming in.

 

[CJ]

Man, that engine should run...

 

[Turbogus]

I'm hip, it Should run.

 

[CJ]

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I'm hip, it Should run.

Please purrrr soooooon......

 

[Turbogus]

Here's hoping.... it's been like this since a year ago.

 

[CJ]

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Here's hoping.... it's been like this since a year ago.

I hate to say this, but with what you have done it should be running....
Fuel, Fire and Spark!

 

[Turbogus]

Time will tell, it's been so long this'll wait until my next days off without going to the Physical Therapist for my torn tendon from my rotator cuff.

 

[Belizean]

So is it old fuel left in the tank ?