64 Convertible Cranks / no start

[johnnys64bird]

Hi guys, I am new to the forum and a 64 Bird Convertible, aquired from my father inlaw with a no start issue. This car has the transistorized ignition system. I have narrowed the problem down to spark/voltage issue. I am only getting about 3 volts to the wire at the hot side of the coil with the + wire disconnected. If I connect the coil the voltage drops to 0. At the ballast resistor the red wires are showing 12v but the blue wires are only showing 3v. I will intermittently get as much as 10 volts to the coil and at the blue wires but it will drop off. I am assuming that the blue wires normally run a reduced voltage to the coil to keep from burning up the points but obviously not as low as 3 volts. Can anyone tell me what controls the voltage for that circuit? My thoughts are that it is the amplifier under the dash and that it is possibly bad but I am not sure. :banghead

One thing I forgot to mention is that this car sat for a year or so in my father inlaws garage and he was trying to jump its stoned dead battery with no success. I installed a new battery and initially it wouldnt fire. I cleaned a couple of connections and poured some gas in the carb and she fired up and ran for about 2 or 3 minutes and then just died like someone turned the key off. I surely would appreciate any help.

 

[sseebart]

Hmmm. Sounds a lot like the problem discussed in this thread on another forum: Vintage Thunderbird Club International :: View topic - Help before it goes to a Mechanic and save me money

 

[johnnys64bird]

Thanks Steve, I will check it out. I was fortunate enough to come across an old Manual for a '66 which has the same ignition system and it gave some good pointers on how the system works and how to test each portion of the system. As soon as I can make time to get back in the garage I will be doing some troubleshooting.