fpc no spark

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Lucy S
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:41 pm
Location: lancaster uk

fpc no spark

Post by Lucy S »

Hello all
I've just got my 1979 fpc out of the shed and have no spark
Any ideas?
Thanks
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1650bullet
Posts: 669
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:52 pm
Location: Australia

Re: fpc no spark

Post by 1650bullet »

What is the Number you have on the lower half of the engine crankcases. 1979 would be a Wipac 3 ignition and they are electronic. So no spark would mean a new CDI. You could do a resistance check on your plug lead 1st to see if that's not duff. But it sounds like a CDI unit.
Lucy S
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:41 pm
Location: lancaster uk

Re: fpc no spark

Post by Lucy S »

fpc698ff9
Johns number identifier suggests wipac mk11
Horsley-Anarak
Posts: 2838
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:42 pm
Location: Surrey

Re: fpc no spark

Post by Horsley-Anarak »

I would be looking at the points and the continuity of the HT lead, also make sure the plug is OK.

Have a look here http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/faq/faq.htm

"Motors been laid up for a while in my shed and now it won’t fire up.

Could be old fuel, see above. Some times I have found that the points, (on points models!), seem to get a coating on them. It may be damp and salt, with the flywheel stopping in the right, or wrong! place, the points may have been open. Take off the flywheel nut. Normal right hand thread. Use a ring spanner or socket, (BSF/Whit sizes), given a sharp tap with a soft-faced hammer will free it. Remove the rope pulley and expose the points. They are in the little round, brass lidded box on the Villiers ignitions. Clean the points with fine emery paper and then a ‘cotton bud’ and meths. Set the gap to 20 thou, that's 0.5 mm.

Test by simply holding the spark plug, (also set to 20 thou) against the block with a pair of insulated pliers; spin the flywheel with the flat of your hand. You should get a bluish spark.

New fuel and you will be away, don’t forget the gearbox…"


H-A
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1650bullet
Posts: 669
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:52 pm
Location: Australia

Re: fpc no spark

Post by 1650bullet »

Your in luck for a good outcome if its a wipac Mk2 Lucy S. Do as H-A Says and it should start.
Lucy S
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:41 pm
Location: lancaster uk

Re: fpc no spark

Post by Lucy S »

Plug was fairly new when last used
I've cleaned and set both the plug and points but still no spark
What's next to check
Thanks
Horsley-Anarak
Posts: 2838
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:42 pm
Location: Surrey

Re: fpc no spark

Post by Horsley-Anarak »

Horsley-Anarak wrote: the continuity of the HT lead,
H-A
Lucy S
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:41 pm
Location: lancaster uk

Re: fpc no spark

Post by Lucy S »

Thanks H A
I missed that
Do you have a process of elimination and how to check each part
Thanks
Horsley-Anarak
Posts: 2838
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:42 pm
Location: Surrey

Re: fpc no spark

Post by Horsley-Anarak »

Lucy S wrote: Do you have a process of elimination and how to check each part
The process is very short, most of it is is down to electrical continuity.

You will need to measure resistance, cheap multimeters are available on line.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIGITAL-LCD-V ... 2c6b04b30d

If the points are clean and closed you will have continuity between the contact surfaces.

If the HT lead is intact you will have continuity.

Check those first, try a different plug , they can look ok but can fail.

Post a picture of your engine, that always helps.

H-A
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