'82 VH 173 Manual - no spark

[Clarkie77]

My '82 VH has lost spark and I cant figure out why. I had two spare (new) ignition modules that were given to me a couple of years ago, sitting in the glove box - I tried fitting both of those with no luck obv. I've run a piece of wire from the +side of the coil to a 12v globe onto the side of the motor which created sparks at the terminal on the coil.

I've replaced that piece of graphite on a spring thingy inside the top of the dizzy cap as the old one seemed to be broken off a bit. Again no luck. I turned it over without the dizzy cap on to make sure things were spinning in there and that seemed to ok as well.

All wires around the dizzy/coil are attached and seem to be in good order.

I dont have access to a spare coil or distributer and dont really want to be going out buying replacement ones for the sake of eliminating possibilities without knowing if either of these are the problem.

Anyone got any suggestions on something else I should be looking for?

Thanks

[Tree cutter]

Try pulling your coil lead off from the distributor cap end then poke a screwdriver up the end of the lead so you can hold the screwdriver close to a good earth point while you wind the motor over to check for spark there. If you still dont have any spark try one of your plug leads on the coil to check for spark.

[ari666]

I've replaced that piece of graphite on a spring thingy inside the top of the dizzy cap as the old one seemed to be broken off a bit.

how on earth did you do that?????

[Clarkie77]

Try pulling your coil lead off from the distributor cap end then poke a screwdriver up the end of the lead so you can hold the screwdriver close to a good earth point while you wind the motor over to check for spark there. If you still dont have any spark try one of your plug leads on the coil to check for spark.

Thanks Tree cutter. Tried both of these suggestions and got nothing either time. I'll grab a new coil tomorrow, hopefully that'll be the fix.

[Clarkie77]

I've still got no spark after fitting a new coil. If I was to disconnect the lead that runs from coil to the distributer (at the distributer end) and attach a spark plug to it and crank the motor while earthing the plug should I get spark?

[ari666]

yes you should get a massive constant spark but, mate. that little graphite bit isnt replacable. if you have taken that off then you need to get a new cap. could be the reason of no spark.

[Clarkie77]

yes you should get a massive constant spark but, mate. that little graphite bit isnt replacable. if you have taken that off then you need to get a new cap. could be the reason of no spark.

are you sure?? cause it pulls out easy enough and Cheaper Auto Spares sells them for $6.

[ari666]

well on my V8, if that middle bit even comes loose its ####ed. as far as i know they are moulded into the cap when they are made, but now i am doubting myself...

[Aussies2011]

Same thing did happen to my VH Commodore a month ago.
After driving 50Km, it just stopped dead. No sparks.
The mechanic replaced the distributor and it went again.