Elgin Repairs

[78bluestreak]

I replaced the coils on my no-spark Elgin(model #: 571.58901). I tested the condensers (checked out okay), reset the point gap. I checked the spark plug wires before reassembly and they were fine.

I reassembled and – No spark!

So I either wired the points and condensers wrong or the connection between both coils and spark plug wires are both bad.

I intend to replace the spark plug lead wires. and will re-test for spark.

I failed to photograph the initial wiring of the old coils to points and condensers.

Black and green leads from the coils to points and condensers. Any help in wiring the leads form the coils would be appreciated.

[Tom]

Post a photo if possible. I’m assuming this is a WICO ignition system. Coils are usually good, unless they are cracked. Condensers are the ones that stand up with a screw terminal on top and they usually bad, but will give one spark just to frustrate you. If there are two wires coming from the coil, the black one is grounded under one of the coil mounting screws. The other one goes to the isolated contact on the points. The condenser wire also goes to the isolated point contact. Be sure the slider is free to move.

Tom

[frankr]

Take the points completely apart, de-grease, and individually polish each contact shiny bright. Reassemble and set gap to 0.020″. I’ll bet you will have spark. If not, suspect the condensers. Wico condensers weren’t the greatest.

[78bluestreak]

thanks tom for the reply. yes this is a WICO ignition system. the old coils were so dry the insulation just fell off the coils. bought new coils from a member. I will re-run the condensers once i replace the plug wires. I’ll try posting a photo once i get this wrapped up.

[78bluestreak]

thanks Frank! your photo indicate two coil leads. the new coils is black lead and green lead. I will check but I believe the green lead should go up to the top of the condenser screw the black lead onto the stack. In your photo the bare lead grounds tot he stack. very clean photo. thanks. I’ll post a photo once I get this rolling again.

[frankr]

Since your coils crumbled, I assume they were the black molded kind. The orange kind hardly ever fail. But they both work the same way. Right off the top of my head, I can’t tell you the leads colors.

[78bluestreak]

the replacement coil colors are black and green. the originals were black and bare.

[78bluestreak]

tom – here is my photo. now the condensers are dead not a bump out of the multimeter.

• This reply was modified 5 years ago by Mumbles.

[78bluestreak]

Frank – here is an updated photo of the wiring. as you can see the original is bare and the other is black. new is green and black. also I need condensors as they no longer move the needle as they did before. If it were just one thing. LOL.

• This reply was modified 5 years ago by Mumbles.

[frankr]

Are those omc coils? Just wondering. One of the braided points leads looks like it is touching the condenser can (??) Tuck those coil wires back so they don’t rub on the flywheel hub. Did you dis-assemble and polish the points?

[Author]

Posts