Not firing

["Dick Benjamin" <DickB@xxxxxxxxx>]

Condensers were formerly known as capacitors, and both terms are accurate,
as another member pointed out previously.   A capacitor/condenser is an
electrical component, and it has a value, just as a resistor or other
electrical component has.  There is only one correct value for the condenser
inside your distributor, because it has to work with the inductance of the
coil to minimize the amount of sparking when the points break the circuit.
If it is incorrect in value (given in microFarads, and typically an ignition
condenser has a value of around .4 mF) the points will transfer metal from
one side to the other (the direction tells you which way the value is off),
contributing to rapid point deterioration.   More trivia?  OK, Farad is
named for Mr. Faraday, who developed much of the early electrical theory
this is all based on.

The condenser that is mounted on the side of the coil bracket and is
connected to the ignition switch side of the coil is merely a noise
suppression device, the electrical value is very non-critical, and in fact
the car will run just fine without it, although you might notice a little
more noise in your AM radio signal.  This is a good place to use up those
old discarded ignition condensers you never threw away.

Dick Benjamin (who not only played an EE, I are one! - or used to be)

----- Original Message -----
From: Rob G. <rob1964cc@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2002 5:45 AM
Subject: Re: IML: Not firing


> Does this mean that I can also use the same part in
> both places?  I have not yet replaced the part
> attached to the coil.  (Also, noticed I incorrectly
> spelled capacitor!!!  back to school for me!!!)
>
> --- jdporter@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> > condenser and capacitor are interchangeable terms
> > for the same item.
> >                        mo jo
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Rob G. <rob1964cc@xxxxxxxxx>
> > To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 2:04 PM
> > Subject: Re: IML: Not firing
> >
> >
> > >FYI - Someone also referred to the capacitator as
> > the
> > >condenser.  They are two different items.  The
> > >condenser is in the distributor.  The capcitator is
> > >not in the distributor, and is visible right beside
> > >the coil.  It looks like a condenser though. Just
> > >disconnect it and try to fire it up.
> > >
> > >
> > >--- Imp1983@xxxxxxx wrote:
> > >> From: "Niko and Sophie" <niknsop@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > >> Subject: IML: Not  Firing
> > >> Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2002 09:51:53 -0700
> > >> Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >>   After fifty miles of fine driving,i parked the
> > car
> > >> . A few hours later  it
> > >> woudnt start.There is not spark at the spark
> > >> plugs.The following checked
> > >> okay: Distributor,points ,rotor&cup,ignition coil
> > >> and battery.Any ideas will
> > >> be greatly appreciated.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> >
> >--------------------------------------------------------
> > >> The same thing happened to me in my 64 the other
> > >> week.
> > >> Turned out that the capacitator (small cyclinder
> > >> bolted on by one of the coil mounting bolts and
> > >> wired
> > >> to the coil) shorted out internally and shut down
> > >> the
> > >> car.  .....
> > >> ..... voltmeter.  I think its only purpose is to
> > >> supress
> > >> electrical interference with radio reception.
> > Thus,
> > >> by disconnecting it, the car may fire up.
> > >>
> > >> -------------------------
> > >>
> > >> Hi,
> > >>
> > >> I vote also for the radio noise suppression
> > >> capacitor.  I had one go bad on
> > >> my 1979 Dodge Magnum, and it took a LONG time to
> > >> figure it out.  I even had a
> > >> dealer service guy make a HOUSE call.
> > >>
> > >> He ended up finding it as I cranked the engine
> > and
> > >> he saw smoke coming off of
> > >> the capacitor.  Externally it showed no trace of
> > a
> > >> problem (has a metal
> > >> case).
> > >>
> > >> It's either that, or try changing the ballst
> > >> resistor.  We had a 1969 Dodge
> > >> Coronet and that's what was wrong with it.  My
> > dad
> > >> used to keep a spare one
> > >> handy as he had one or two go bad.  The engine
> > will
> > >> crank but not start.
> > >>
> > >> Dan Wing
> > >> Marcy, NY, USA
> > >> Imp1983@xxxxxxx
> > >>
> > >> 83 Imp, beige, leather,
> > >> Le Baron turbine wheel covers,
> > >> factory/dealer carb conversion
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >__________________________________________________
> > >Yahoo! - We Remember
> > >9-11: A tribute to the more than 3,000 lives lost
> > >http://dir.remember.yahoo.com/tribute
> > >
> > >
> > >-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com
> > -----------------
> > >This message was sent to you by the Imperial
> > Mailing List. Please
> > >reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your
> > response will be
> > >shared with everyone. Private messages (and
> > attachments) for the
> > >Administrators should be sent to
> > webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to
> > http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >