Calling all 55-56 Pontiac owners, and anyone else helpful!

Check for sparkkkk????!!!!!


Draining the brains of good
mechanics since '92

 

Sparky spark time be back soon with updates

 

Well after slamming my finger in the door on accident, I got an extender on my ratchet, put the socket on, put it on...and I couldn't get the plug out. It's not gripping, yet the store told me that's the correct size for the plug. Even tested it there. So I took off the cable and tried that like someone suggested. I did not see any spark at all. Unless I'm supposed to peel back the rubber around it? I held it near the engine first, no spark. Then tried the inner fender, no spark...am I doing it wrong? Or did something go bad.
FYI all my fluid are checked and full. except gas, but that's got about 3 gallons in it.
Also, these plugs, as well as all other parts shouldn't be any more than a year old.

 

you did turn key on and tried to start it by having the motor turning over right?
You should have seen a spark jump and have heard it.
If you have a volt meter check battery voltage should read around 12 volts neg pos at battery.If you read 12 volt
next leave the neg black lead on battery.
next pos lead put on + pos on coil.
turn key on a read voltsge.

 

My battery is a brand new one...but I'll still go check anyways

 

Does the spark plug socket you bought have the rubber inside of it? If so, sometimes you have to use a little force to push it onto the plug by hand. I'm wondering if you just don't have it pushed for enough on the plug. Just push it straight on and twist a little so that it goes over the hex head. Don't put any lateral force on it or you will crack the porcelain on the plug. If you do that then the plug will be no good for sure. Plugs are actually kind of fragile, so be gentle. If there is no rubber inside the socket, disregard what I said except for the part about being gentle with the plugs.

 

Yes, peel back the rubber a bit. While you're cranking you need to be able to see whether there is a spark between the electrode on the plug wire and a grounded bare metal surface like your engine block or exhaust manifold. You will have to have someone help you with this because you won't be able to crank it over and be under the hood watching for spark at the same time.

Oh yeah, hold the plug wire end by the rubber insulated boot and hold the electrode about 1/4" from the metal surface. Does this make sense to you?

 

Okay I'll peel it back some and try again, and nope the socket won't grip it. Even with the rubber inside it. Let me try the plug wire again.
Also, can't find my multimeter right now, which is a bit essential considering the fact that i need to fire up this other old radio as well. Hate when i lose something and I just had it...it would be smart to make up my own tool bench in the basement.

 

Put the socket on the plug first then put your extension on... Bet the top of the plug is hitting the extension through the socket and stopping the socket from going all the way around the hex nut of the plug.


Draining the brains of good
mechanics since '92

 

Yep, that's possible too.

Also, what is the size of the socket? It should be 13/16, I believe.

 

Nope that wasn't it either. The socket is just a little bit too big for these spark plugs.... and I think the store is already closed. Tried the next biggest socket I had in my collection, that was too small.
Damn it.

 

If you want to remove a sparkplug to look for spark( NOTE THIS)
It takes 2 turns for each plug to fire once.
The center wire fires every time the points open and close.
The volt meter is to get you to use it correct. across battery, then testing coil voltage. Don't think do.

 

Somebody said something about a fuse...does anyone think or know if a fuse could be related to the non starting issue?

 

hmm...I doubt it. Does it even sound like it wants to start at all? or does it just crank? Any pops or sputters?

 

It turns like it wants to start but doesn't actually. It's not a low humming or something, it's actually turning. Just no actual fire up.

 

Does it pop or sputter at all?

 

Okay, let's back up. Did you check for spark and what were the results?

 

I held a spark plug cord up and tried it in two spots, and I didn't see or hear anything. Nor was I able to remove the spark plugs. So either I have no spark or I just did it wrong.

 

who did you have in your car turning it over when you were checking for spark?

 

That was going to be my next question.

 

You need the sparkplug on the cord in order to check for spark.

 

My mother turned while I tried to test for spark. I saw nothing. She tried old school ways of starting it, like putting it in neutral, then park, pumping the gas pedal while starting, she told me to check my oil and transmission fluid, all that is to the top. Tow truck is around 20 bucks to come get it and bring it to the shop, and I'm running out of patience and ability to do anymore.
I have the money for the tow, I learned, I wasn't able to succeed so I might just say screw it and call them up on monday morning. Then when they are done doing what I need, I'll finish my interior, and whatever else I have to do. I'll keep all my tools in my trunk at all times as well. Thanks all. Stay tuned for other updates, for as I stated before, it's a build thread.

 

Don't give up, get the multi meter!


Draining the brains of good
mechanics since '92

 

One more test get a 12 volt tail light blub
has 2 contacts on bottom.
At battery put one on post and casing on other play with till you under stand how to make it light. You will need a piece of wire.
Done now to need pliers take the coil wire off coil.
That should be a hot wire (when you turn key on)now touch small terminal and grd the casing and see if it light. Try not to short it out. if the light lights put back on.
My guess you need a new condenser.

 

That's what I'm thinking too. Either way I'm getting it towed, because I'm not waiting around for myself to succeed. Need this car up and running again and all ready for school in a few weeks, as well as jobs. Tried my best.

 

i think the points just need to be cleaned

 

Let me go do that. Will give me more practice in getting that difficult dizzy cap on and off as well.

 

Check your points for some surface rust?


Draining the brains of good
mechanics since '92

 

Sorry didn't read budd....^


Draining the brains of good
mechanics since '92

 

What the hell is wrong with my car. I clean the points and the inside of the dizzy cap, and that causes my brakes to work better, WAY BETTER.
I can't even right now...what. No start still. Although I swear it sounded like the whinnying starting sound got higher pitches. It descends in pitch, then gets really high, then back to descending, then back high, and so on...