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Re: Broken wire on condenser off coil Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Wed, 4 Feb 2009 11:35:16
In Reply to: Broken wire on condenser off coil, Dave Tibbetts, Wed, 4 Feb 2009 10:35:58 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The condensor is a cylinder with a wire coming out of one side, and a metal bracket forming the electrical return. It is used to supress radio interference from the distributor points. Given that you've got a condensor, this is a fairly old car (giving the year and engine always helps.)
Is it necessary? No - not if you don't get any radio interference. If you get ignition noise, replace the condensor. It's not a critical part, so a Saab OEM device isn't necessary.
That said, your no-start isn't related to the condensor. If the engine doesn't crank, it really isn't the condensor. Cranking is pretty easy - battery, cables, ignition switch, starter, solenoid.
When you turn the key to START, do you get a click from the area of the starter (just under the exhaust manifold). If you have the headlights on, do the headlights dim when you go to start, or do they stay bright?
If the lights dim or go out, suspect the battery, battery clamps, or cables. Yes, you replaced the battery - did you clean the inside of the clamps, where they clamp to the posts? A light scraping with some fine sandpaper is good. Inspect the battery cables - look in the insulation at the clamps - do you see the copper wires loaded with whitish or greenish powder? That's corrosion, and your cables can't supply enough current.
OK, the lights don't dim - they stay bright. No click from the solenoid when you go to start? Suspect the ignition switch. Click from the solenoid? Suspect the starter or solenoid. The solenoid acts as a big relay - the click is the sound of it moving, but if the contacts are bad (as they do with time) they might not be making good enough contact. Or the solenoid is fine, and the starter has a dead spot. Since the solenoid is mounted on the starter, might as well pull both. You can take them to an automotive electrical shop, or some places like AutoZone to have it tested. Given that this car is probably over 25 years old, a dead starter or weak solenoid isn't a surprise. If it's the starter or solenoid, replace both with rebuilt units.
posted by 192.249....
, Wed, 4 Feb 2009 11:35:16 <-- Viewing This Message, Wed, 4 Feb 2009 13:10:06
, Wed, 4 Feb 2009 15:51:13
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