66 230sl just stopped running

[merrill]

so,  drove the car to work today, got home, did some mixture adjustment, got the co% down to 5 - 5.8.  car idled but was not happy.

ended up increasing the inj pump adjuster a few clicks clock wise
drove around the neighborhood, car ran ok.

went home, pulled in the garage and it died.  It started once more then that was it.  I do not think I am getting a spark.   motor turns, cold start valve actuates, inj pump selenoid works

checked
distributor rotor 5,000 ohm - ok
1 kohm spark plug wires - ok
wire from coil to distributor -ok
dwell at 39 deg
all connections tight, ballast etc seem ok
the tip in side the distributor cap is stil there

how do I check
coil
condenser
capacitor


and on this car how do I check for spark at the plug?  I took an extra plug, pulled the number 1 wire, inserted the plug, laid it on the cross linkage = no spark.  
pulled no 1 spark plug and it was wet but not carbon fouled.


all ignition parts were new 2 weeks ago, new plugs, wires, coil, condenser, capacitor, points,

help!!
matt



Matt
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[ja17]

Hello Matt,

Remove the distributor cap.  Turn the ignition on and push the ignition points open with a good insulated screwdriver. You should get a spark.  If not, take a 12volt test lamp and see if you have power going to into the ignition coil. See if you have power coming out at the small wire of the coil when the points are open.

Check the little fork connector and metal clamping plate where the ignition points attach in the distributor. If any part of this turns and touches the breaker plate it will short out your ignition spark. Also the small 7mm bolt at this attachment must remain insulated where it passes through the distributor or you will short out your ingition spark.

Also make sure the distributor is turning when you crank the engine.

Let us know what you find!



Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[merrill]

Joe,
thanks for the reply,  
tried everything you suggested and all seemed ok.

ended up pulling off the distro cap and noticed all the contacts for each spark plug were discolored like they were burnt.

luckily I have 2 extra distro caps,  put one one and it started!!!

whew.

one question though,  the cap I took off the car had a nub that keeps it aligned with the distributor.
the 2 extras did not, so I just aligned everything up.

matt

Matt
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by merrill

Joe,
thanks for the reply,  
tried everything you suggested and all seemed ok.

ended up pulling off the distro cap and noticed all the contacts for each spark plug were discolored like they were burnt.

luckily I have 2 extra distro caps,  put one one and it started!!!

whew.


one question though,  the cap I took off the car had a nub that keeps it aligned with the distributor.
the 2 extras did not, so I just aligned everything up.

matt

Matt
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

Matt,

Might you have the wrong distributor caps in your spares?  I have several, they are all Bosch, all identical, and there is only ONE way to install them, properly lined up, with the little nub you speak of.  Perhaps you have a mismatch of something, worth investigating further.



Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[merrill]

Mike,
I bet my dad changed the distributors at some point.
both pn's come up for the 66 230, however which one to use depends on which distributor.

matt

Matt
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[ja17]

Hello Matt,

The early cars with the non-transistorized ignition (had the fork wire terrminal on the points wire) used the cap with the notch and circular cut on the rim.

Later 280SLs had the factory transistorized ignition with the clip terminal wire on the points, a ddiferent nub and no circular cut.

You may have a latter distributor as mentioned. Record the number off it to be sure.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio