"79 OB...should I have a small wire along with the heavy cable at the battery + ? Mines missing other than a bare terminal. If so - where does it go to ? Could this be the reason I have no spark but turns over strong ?

This was bought as a non runner years ago and I finally have the urge and the time to get this beast running. 52K miles, it sat for many years so I'm sure there's lots to replace and service but.......one step at a time

 

Yes if that is not hooked up it can cause your car to crank over but not fire up...I had mine just end up loose and it was causing my 86 to crank but not fire...once I cleanrd the connection and tightened it down the car fired first time no problem...good luck...

 

Thanks Skiviking I hope that solves my no spark problem. Any idea where this wire comes from ? I guess its time to jack er up and have a good look under there.... I'll post results.

 

I did not know a 79 had an aux lead. If it has one then it is a aux line that connects to the top of the fuse panel. I know on the 80-84 cars if this wire is disconnected there will be no spark. The wire should be there. Maybe just pushed outside the battery box.

 

Very likely to be the remnant of an earlier stereo installation.

Do a search on this forum on "green wire".

 

My 78 had an extra wire....traced it over the river and through the woods, to an amplifier crammed under the drivers seat...I promptly removed it....(Well, it was covered in rust....)

 

Thanks guys for all your comments. I checked the pet (Current Flow Diagram) and there is no aux wire from the battery + on a '79 US model, so like Wally says, some leftover thing. In no way needed to run.

So.....the green wire got me thinking. I traced from the dist and found where it connects at the pass fender; reseated it, pulled the 14 pin connector cleaned- reseated and *surprise* I'VE GOT SPARK!!!

OK took a while and several primes but I finally got it to run- but had to blip the throttle for a few minutes to keep it alive. Finally, I assume after the additive I put in after the fuel pump replacements flushed through, it settled down to a nice 750 idle. Cold start seems good too.

I'm extra elated! Not too shabby for having sat for 10 years outside in a cold Alberta climate. I've found some other problems already, but thats for future threads. Think I'll go start it again just to listen to it purr.....

Thanks again for the inspiration
Ben

 

Congratulations! Amazing how good it feels when they come back to life...