No Spark on CJ

1980CJ7

1980CJ7

If it don't go, chrome it
Joined
Dec 10, 2006
Location
Leesville, NC
What burns out when you leave the ignition on for an extended period of time in a 1980 CJ?
battery has a full charge, but no sparks at the plugs
(this is a carbureted motor)
 
are you running an electronic ignition or Points? I wouldn't put it past any PO to do something like throw points inplace of a EI.

Other than that, the Ignion Module like Darrin mentioned. Also check and re check all wire connections between the Dist., Ign. Module, and Coil.
 
The jeep has a fiberglass tub with a 1-piece front end so things are a bit re-arranged from OEM positioning, but it has a 5x5 inch finned aluminum box on the firewall that reads
GP
by Sorensen
w/ 2 multi-conductor connectors, which we could prolly assume is an aftermarket EI box .... I was wondering if it was an OEM substitute that NAPA could test (and maybe replace)

you guys know what feeds this box? ....some sort of pickup in the dist?
 
1980CJ7 said:
The jeep has a fiberglass tub with a 1-piece front end so things are a bit re-arranged from OEM positioning, but it has a 5x5 inch finned aluminum box on the firewall that reads
GP
by Sorensen
w/ 2 multi-conductor connectors, which we could prolly assume is an aftermarket EI box .... I was wondering if it was an OEM substitute that NAPA could test (and maybe replace)
you guys know what feeds this box? ....some sort of pickup in the dist?
Click to expand...
As already pointed out, they are notorious for failing, but the duraspark ignition isn't that bad. Replacement modules are cheap and it is easy to replace. I think NAPA can check them. Since you say it's a GP Sorensen box, it came from Advance. It is a very cheap box that shouldn't be trusted anyways. The NAPA module has better components in it. To replace it, it is a simple matter of taking out the 4 screws that holds it to the fender (or wherever it is on your jeep) and umplug the old and plug in the new.

Now, if you really want to upgrade your ignition and change to a HEI style module, let me know. It isn't very complicated, delivers a much hotter spark and is much more reliable.
 
willness33 said:
Now, if you really want to upgrade your ignition and change to a HEI style module, let me know. It isn't very complicated, delivers a much hotter spark and is much more reliable.
Click to expand...
x2. It will clean up your underhood wiring a lot too
 
The answer is, the coil.
I tested the pickup inside the dist ...600 ohms (ok)
I tested the coil , 0 ohms pri, 8k ohms sec.... Hmmm
no way to test the electronic ignition box.....so

I bought an electronic ignition box, a MSD blaster coil :bling: , and a OEM coil.

when I got home I measured the new OEM coil , 1.2 ohms pri, 8k ohms sec (ok)

I installed the MSD blaster coil, and started up the Jeep (yay)
it ran for about 5 seconds and died. (ohoh)

so I installed the new OEM coil, and the new electronic ignition box. Runs like a charm :)

the MSD blaster coil only has about .6 ohms in the primary. It likely finished off the old electronic ignition box, but I didn't want to take a chance with the new box, so I decided to use the new OEM coil and "just wheel it" ;)

thanks for the help guys,
Steve
 
Back
Top