The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Help! Coil or condenser?

I'm not much of a mechanic but can do some basics. My original 54 AD was running fine on Sunday. Monday I started it, then it stalled and would not re-start. I think I narrowed the problem down to either the coil or the condenser because it does not seem to be getting spark. Occassionally it will start and run for a few secounds then die. Am I on the right track? and how can I tell if it's the coil or the condenser? should I just replace both?

Also, my truck was converted to 12 volt. Do I need a 12 volt coil?

I ran into a simular problem. My truck would run good around a couple of blocks. I would take it out again or after running it for an extended time it would slowly lose power sputter and die and would not restart. After sitting for about 20 min it would start for a little while.

I noticed that my points were burnt. After reading some posts on 12 volt conversions there was a component that the coil needed. A ballast resistor. Some coils have an internal resistor, those that don't usually say on the body of the coil. If the coil says "Use with external resistor" then an external ballast resistor is needed. You see these on the firewall of some vehicles. They can be bought at NAPA or other places for less than $10. After replacing the 12 volt coil, installing a ballast and installing a 12 volt condenser the problem was solved.

Check your points if you have them and see if they are discolored. Hope this narrows it down.

Rick...........

Thanks elmer46. Got it fixed, Points & condenser were the problem.