why won't my engine start?

What kind of wire? Certain gauge I should try? I only have 16 gauge hook up wire and that would probably just fry...

 

16 Gauge wire will work just fine.

 

You say you have a multimeter. Do this test:

Check the voltage across the small - terminal of the coil (wire going to dist) to ground. You will either get 12V or nothing. Then try cranking the engine and see if the meter changes. If no change, then points are not opening or closing or wiring to points, or the condenser are bad. When you reply, if no change in voltage, then what is the reading, 0 or 12V.

 

Ok- so here's your homework:

Tonight- like NOW - read this:

http://www.pontiacsafari.com/L1EarlyV8Pontiacs/56ShopManual/12 - Electrical and Instruments.pdf.

Read through it, but the diagnosis procedure for no-start conditions start on page 33 of that pdf.

Tomorrow:

1) Check the distributor->coil wire. Make sure it's on right.
2) Follow the diag procedure I linked above.
3) Check the firing order. Just in case.

 

7 pages on a no start ,
lots of guys pulling for you Pontiacpiano.

 

How did everything go wrong in only 3 weeks?

Everything didn't go wrong. Only one thing went wrong. You can fix it in 2 minutes.

The tricky part is figuring out exactly what to fix.

This is where DIAGNOSIS comes in.

You can either flail around pulling random things apart, until the oldest mechanic in world couldn't figure out what was wrong.

Or spend 15 minutes doing a few simple tests and zero in on the problem.

 

Spoiler alert: my guess is the spark plugs are gummed up from being started with the choke on multiple times, running rich, and never being driven or completely warmed up.

THIS IS ONLY A GUESS. You still have to test and find out if I am right.

 

I don't think I've seen anyone point out the obvious.

Is there gas in the tank? Not sure if you have owned it long enough to learn the gauge. Gas and fire. If you don't have them it won't go. Put 5 gallons in it.

 

I'll try putting a bit more gas in there, I definitely have enough in there to at least get her started in the driveway.I also sprayed started fluid as well that should have gave me something but it iddn't. I believe it's just no spark, since she cranks but doesn't actually start. I'm checking the coil, all the wires, etc when the sun comes up as long as it's not raining still (it's 2:04 AM here in New York)

 

Have you pulled out a plug and ground it with the wire on and see if you have Spark

Hold the plug to metal while someone turns the engine over with the starter, then see if you get a spark between the electrodes on the end of the plug

 

Go out in the morning and do this in order.

Pull off air cleaner (if not already off)
Crank engine over.
Get out of car and manually push accelerator back. Do you hear gas squirt? if yes move on and don't read the following.

If not, add gas to tank.
Go again. If still no start, check for fuel filter some where in the line. If there is one there, it may be clogged. change it.
Check again.
Still no squirt? something is restricting fuel to the motor. Pump, carb, rusty fuel line, plugged tank pickup.

If you have squirtage. Check for spark. Pretty sure this has been covered., Start at coil. Coil good? move on

If not good? replace coil.

If good? Move to points.



It could get pretty involved, not difficult or expensive but involved. Not digging on you, but without the basics it's gonna be hair pulling. If I wasn't 3000 miles away I'd come help ya.


Post in the AM. Follow the rules. Check fuel. Check spark. Yes they can go bad that fast. Seriously doubting it's anything more serious.

 

Don't be embarrassed its a lot better to ask a seemingly silly question then to have to fix a big mistake from not asking that question. Trust me..

 

Ain't that the truth! Changed more Pontiacs than anything else.

 

This is a way to check for spark.
1 remove dist cap and take center wire out hold 1/2" away from medal.
2 turn engine to close points .
3 get a pencil piece of wood platic ect.
4turn key on
5make and brake by hand opening points.
6 no spark
7bad condenser, broken wire.
8 dist shaft could be loose worn busing

 

Just read this entire post and I am pulling for you too! Dont give up!

 

If you check for spark at the spark plug and don't have any, do not automatically replace the coil or anything else until you do further tests and figure out exactly what is wrong.

 

Aren't you up yet...I'm dying to know! Start at 31Vicky's post, excellent info there. Good luck today.

 

Suggested tests:

Is there spark at the spark plug? Pull plug wire off any spark plug, see if a spark jumps to ground. Take out one spark plug, inspect for oil and gas. If it is not soaked in gas or oily, stick it in the wire, ground to engine, and see if you get spark.

Spark plug should be dry with slight amounts of gray or tan deposits. If it is black and sooty but dry, it indicates too rich or, several starts and stops with the choke on and no chance to warm up properly.

Spark plugs soaked in oil and gas, and will not fire: They need to be cleaned by sandblasting or replaced. You can try cleaning with brake kleen spray, wire brush etc but probably will not work.

Spark plugs fire: your ignition is ok, time to look somewhere else

Spark plugs don't fire: Time to find out why.

Are the plugs gummed up? Clean or replace

Do you have spark at the end of the spark plug wire but plugs won't fire? Clean or replace plugs.

No spark at spark plug? Check for spark at coil.

Spark at coil but not at spark plug? Check distributor, rotor, cap, wires.

No spark at coil? Is coil getting power, and are points switching power on and off?

If yes, condenser or coil no good.

If no, find out why coil is not getting power. Is power coming from ignition switch?

Find out exactly what is wrong. If you have any problem doing these tests let me know.

 

Im thinking broken wire that feeds your coil or the wire leading from the coil to the distributor.they are brittle and you washed your motor and did some interior work.It doesnt take much for the wire to snap apart inside it insulation if its handled much.i would start at the fuse marked ign 12 volts both sides ign key on?If yes go to coil wire that comes through the firewall 12 volts? If no thats your problem,if yes,as was said check the wiring under your cap.You really have to put a screwdriver in the end of a plug wire [away from carb]lay it on a grounded part [exhaust manifold] reach in the window and crank the key while watching the driver.if nothing there reposition your screwdriver a couple times just to be sure.your coil or condenser is bad.

 

CHECK TO SEE IF IT HAS SPARK!!!!!! stick a screwdriver in the plug wire as described. geez man.

 

And we all learned a brand new abbreviation. "WBSTD"...lol.

 

Don't need a fancy spark plug tester to test for spark. All you need is someone to crank the engine while you ground the end of a spark plug like this. You should see spark jumping and if you don't time to eliminate possible no spark causes. Ain't rocket science..



Notice the end of spark plug is touching ground. Let's go!

 

Until you try both of my suggestions, one with the wire, the other with the multimeter, I'm outta here!

Administrator Ryan: 143 posts and counting, must be record for such an easy diagnosis! I could imagine him with even an HEI or Ford TFI unit. Never get it done, too complicated! Won't even go into the modern day stuff!

 

Me when I wake up and read the same thing over and over again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6UTEZlBSPs
Well it looks like i'm not doing SH*T today because of this damn rain. So much for making it to the mechanic shop for monday or tuesday. If the rain lets up which I think it will later this afternoon, I'm going out to work on my POS. God willing I'll figure out whats up taking everyone's advice. I'll check the wire from distributor to coil, I'll check the spark plugs make sure they aren't gummed up or covered in crap, and ground them and check for sparks, and everything else. Mom's friend might even come over and help since he's done this sort of stuff a lot. I'll bring out my multi meter also.
And to those of you bringing up how many posts there are for such an easy diagnosis- hey, I didn't ask for everybody to help, and like I said i'm a newbie. And when i say that, I mean it. I have NEVER worked on a car before, or any type of engine for that matter and I'm doing this all myself. Never even learned in school about engines. Only getting help from here, youtube, and shop manuals. So, shat ap

 

and yea yea, I woke up late. I was choking half the night because I'm still sick and I needed extra rest. Once I see those clouds clear up I'm going outside to take care of what I said above.

 

just goes to show you the folks here to help you are never ending ,yes it can be confusing with all the different procedures and suggestions but ill tell ya ,the way i learned this shit was all mistakes and on my own.If i had the hamb back then i would of been way ahead .
The reason folks here are getting impatiant is we still dont know if you have spark or not and thats a one minute test.

 

Hmm did it start yet?

 

The best thing to do at this point is to find someone to come to you and fix your problem. HRP

 

56 Pontiac, rest in pieces


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

I didn't read every post, but if you have spark and gas and timing and it still won't start, squirt some oil down each spark plug hole...it may be too low of compression.
I had a '66 Dodge Coronet back in the 70's with a 318 and it started every day to go to school but if it sat for more then a week, I would have to do the oil down the plug hole thing and it would fire right up....didn't smoke that you could tell, but very bad compression...if I remember right, it only had something like 45lbs in each cylinder