Engine Will Not Start; No Spark At Plugs; Distributor, Coil Or Condenser Faulty - Triumph SPEED TWIN 1945 Workshop Instruction Manual

BEFORE SEARCHING FOR
AN
I G N I T I O N FAULT, A L W A Y S CHECK OVER A L L
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ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS: C L E A N
AND
TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.
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E N G I N E
WILL NOT
S T A R T .
NO
S P A R K
AT
P L U G S .
N o t e . T o check, remove t h e plugs and place them o n t h e cylinder head after
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re-fitting t h e connector. T u r n t h e ignition switch t o "IGN" (clockwise) and kick
over t h e engine. The plugs should fire w i t h a blue spark.
If there is n o spark,
t u r n switch t o "EMG" (anti-clockwise) and test again.
P l u g
Oily,
F o u l e d o r Faulty. Clean thoroughly, preferably i n a plug cleaning
machine, re-set t h e points gap t o 0.020" (0.50 mm.) and re-fit. Replace w i t h correct
grade plug i f faulty.
D i s t r i b u t o r , C o i l o r C o n d e n s e r F a u l t y
D i s t r i b u t o r . See that t h e cover is properly fitted and the clips secure.
Check
the gap o f t h e contact breaker points and clean and adjust i f necessary (see page
172).
C o i l . First clean the coil, particularly between the cable connections.
T o check
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the l o w tension circuit, connect a volt meter between the coil terminal marked
O;
"SW"
and earth. If there is n o reading w i t h the ignition switched o n there is a
fault i n t h e switch o r the lead t o the coil.
Nexc connect the volt meter between
the coil terminal marked "C.B." and earth. N o reading here w i t h the ignition
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switched o n indicates a fault in the coil primary winding. If these tests show that the
l o w tension primary circuit i s in order, remove the coil H.T. lead from the distributor
cover. Remove the cover and rotate the engine until the contact points are closed.
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Switch o n t h e ignition and hold the end of the coil
H.T.
lead about+" (6 mm.) from the
cylinder block. Flick the contact points open w i t h the finger and a spark should
pass t o t h e cylinder block. N o spark indicates a fault in the coil
H.T.
winding. Any
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fault i n a coil can only be corrected by fitting a new unit.
Condenser. T o test the condenser, switch on the ignition and connect a volt
meter across the open contacts.
If there
i s
no reading, remove the condenser and
re-test. If a reading on the meter i s then obtained, the condenser i s faulty and
should be changed.
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E N G I N E
WlLL
N O T S T A R T
WITH
S W I T C H O N " I G N " B U T S T A R T S
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ON "EMG".
Battery discharged due t o short circuit, poor condition due t o age o r damage, pro-
longed use f o r parking o r low rate of charge from alternator. Have battery charged
from external source and equipment checked by an authorised Lucas Agent, o r
Triumph Dealer as soon
as
possible.