Norton electra rewiring problems no spark!!!

[jasonlewis100]

Hello, I've recently rebuilt a norton electra. I've refurbed the existing wiring following an old diagram. My problem is no charge from the coils!! I seem to have 12v when points are closed and aprox 8v when they are open? I also have measured the feeds into the twin coils and they all read 12v. Any idea's - have  i got short

[L.A.B.]

My problem is no charge from the coils!! I seem to have 12v when points are closed and aprox 8v when they are open? I also have measured the feeds into the twin coils and they all read 12v. Any idea's - have  i got short

Sorry but I don't understand what you mean?

As the ignition coils are not part of the charging circuit?

[jasonlewis100]

sorry ment no spark from the coil.

[L.A.B.]

OK, if you have 12V reaching both coils (as they should be wired "in parallel" with points) are you saying there's no spark at either plug?

Have you replaced the ignition condensers?

[jasonlewis100]

hi, yeah no spark at either plug. the condensors are the original ones, could they be the problem? The 12v feed into the coils is constent into both is this right or should they alternate?

[L.A.B.]

no spark at either plug. the condensors are the original ones, could they be the problem? The 12v feed into the coils is constent into both is this right or should they alternate?

The condensers *could* be the problem, but I couldn't say for sure. Certainly both coils should be getting a constant voltage supply from the battery all the time the ignition is switched on. But I'm thinking that when the points open the voltage in that particular coil's circuit would drop with the condenser connected, and show zero volts with it disconnected?  

[pogotri500]

What year is your Electra? I am wondering if they ever were 12v I seem to think they were only 6v systems. If you have rewired it to a 6v diagram but using a 12v battery you may have a problem. Just a thought, if I am wrong no doubt L.A.B. or some knowledgable chap will know. Cheers, Dave.

[L.A.B.]

What year is your Electra? I am wondering if they ever were 12v I seem to think they were only 6v systems.

All Electras were 12V as far as I'm aware?

[twolitre]

It might help if you say where you are measuring the voltage.  If you measure across the points you should have battery voltage when open and no more than 0.2 volts when the points are closed.  Anything else suggests your points are fitted wrongly.
  Where are you connecting the voltmeter to get 8 volts?
  Also, with the points closed check the voltage drop between the points base plate and engine. anything over 0.2 volts here indicates a bad base plate earth.
  (L.A.B. Did you mean to put 'in series' rather than 'parallel? Normal systems are coil in series with points.  Energy Transfer systems (God help us!) are in a form of parallel, but you cannot do normal voltage tests on those).

[L.A.B.]

 (L.A.B. Did you mean to put 'in series' rather than 'parallel? Normal systems are coil in series with points.  Energy Transfer systems (God help us!) are in a form of parallel, but you cannot do normal voltage tests on those).

Yes, maybe I didn't word what I meant correctly? The (2x 12V) coils would normally wired in parallel to each other (which was what I actually meant), but each coil would of course be in series with their own set of points.

Also to clarify another point (sorry!) the difference in voltage reading obtained with the points either *open* or *closed* will depend where the reading is taken from?