This thing is giving me a damn headache. I posted a few weeks back regarding problems getting power to the starter. Well i remembered the trick of arcing the starter in order to start the car. That worked a few times until i decided to get a new battery since the old one was no longer holding a charge. I bought the battery and made a switch inside the car that engages the starter. Even that worked a few times until I drove it to a bar and could not start it when i was ready to leave that night. Now I've just had to have this thing towed, which blows. Im not sure what the problem is here. The engine turns over, the starter engages but its almost like it's not getting spark. I checked the ignition rotor and it looks like its a bit rough but not toasted. The ignition coil should still be good, the spark plug wires look good but and the spark plugs show normal signs of wear. I love this car but im seriously debating selling it at this point. I'm tired of putting money into it. Any suggestions?

Yes, you need help. You could

1. Push-start it
or
2. Replace the the ignition switch (which may have been the original problem). Almost any Datsun 1970-1983 ignition switch is the same except B210.


Quote:
Test it to see if it is getting spark or not. Pull the coil wire out of the cap, place it 1/4" from the metal, put KEY ON and crank it while you watch. Does it have a fat blue spark? Or a weak yellow one?

thanks for the info! how do you push start it?

also, i was just thinking. Shouldnt the car start regardless of whether or not the ignition switch is working? As long as the starter engages? Im sure you know more about this than i do.

also, i remembered how to push start it, that was a dumb question

hi aaron, it sounds like you have been facing two problems:

1. starter had problems. "arcing" the starter with a screwdriver is a traditional way to bypass the ignition switch. If touching a screwdriver between the big starter terminal and the small 'S' terminal worked, that indicates a bad ignition switch.

2. Newest problem. The starter trick no longer starts the car. Now "The engine turns over, the starter engages but its almost like it's not getting spark". Which is way I suggested testing the spark.

Yep I just tried that and it looks like i got no spark. Does that mean the ignition coil is bad?

It only means there is a problem. It does not indicate a particular cause.

Start with the most basic easy test. Does the coil have 12V with KEY ON?

This kind of problem is easy to figure out, just takes a little time and patience.

the ignition coil does not appear to recieving or sending any power

If there is not 12V at the coil (engine OFF key ON) then you have a wiring problem. Not a coil/distributor problem.

Your ignition switch is probably fried all the way now. First it was just the Start position, now it is Start and On. Maybe if you wiggle the key you will get 12V at some position.

You can hotwire it. Place a jumper from BAT + to the coil + and operate the starter. It should start right up and continue running. Remove the jumper to stop the engine.

Or test the ignition switch.

By the way I had a problem like this with my wife's 4-year old car. So if you think buying a newer car won't have these problems ... be prepared to pay the Dealer good dough to troubleshoot and/or fix it. Or learn the skills.