Author Topic: sparks now dead  (Read 3629 times)

Dave

  • Guest
sparks now dead
« on: June 28, 2014, 03:38:07 »
Setting timing. Got wrench too close to pos terminal.  Lots of sparks - car now dead.  Battery 12v plus.  Ceramic fuses look good.  What the heck did i do now?
Is there something else that i could have blown?

ctaylor738

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, VA, Falls Church
  • Posts: 1161
Re: sparks now dead
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2014, 14:50:35 »
You may have fried a wire.  I would start by checking the primary circuit.  From memory:

- battery to starter
- starter to alternator
- alternator to light switch, then to ignition switch and fuses

Good luck,

CT
Chuck Taylor
1963 230SL #00133
1970 280SL #13027 (restored and sold)
1966 230SL #15274 (sold)
1970 280SL #14076 (sold)
Falls Church VA

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7384
Re: sparks now dead
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2014, 22:01:06 »
Most likely your connection at the battery is bad. Clean the terminals, and the connectors. Do your headlights work?

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Dave

  • Guest
Re: sparks now dead
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2014, 02:41:36 »
Stupid me.  I was tightening the collar on the rotor with a 3/8 drive and 5m socket.  Super tight squeeze.  Something clicked, I slipped and the ratchet was stuck between the positive terminal and the distributor.  Zap!
Today I tried jumper cables from another car.  I have power.  Time for a new battery.

Dave

  • Guest
Re: sparks now dead
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2014, 03:19:06 »
It was the battery.  All good.