1992 Volvo 230b Ignition Coil Options

[Scott Danforth]

here is the wiring diagram for the ignition

 

[Scott Danforth]

never mind, getting the AQ231 and AQ230 mixed up.

you have points on the 2.3 liter Volvo Motor, would suggest you file the points, then set dwell and timing.

 

[Maclin]

Blake, what all have you done so far? Need complete list, like have you removed or moved the distributor, all things related like that.

 

[BlakeCary]

Ok so heres the weekend update. Oh BTW not that it prob really matters but it is a 230A not a 230B like I previously thought.

I replaced Coil, rotor, wires, plugs and capacitor. Still no spark.... With the key on I am getting 11.25 volts from the purple wire (from coil to cap) and also 11.25 at the points. I am getting 11.4v at the + of coil. I am getting 11.4 volts from the Out of the coil (the spark plug wire from coil to cap) Ive looked at sooooo many diagrams and I cant seem to find ANYTHING else I can replace that may be bad... I had a guy who fixes boats over to help and he is also stumped. could it be a short in some wire? Can I jump something to figure out if there is? I dont understand how the "most simple ignition" can be this big of a pain.

 

[BlakeCary]

Is the Volvo 230 also known as a AQ131 or is that a different motor?

 

[Scott Danforth]

with the cap and rotor off, when cranking, do the points open and close?

did you file the points and set the dwell?

 

[Scott Danforth]

the 230 was the 131. they changed nomenclature in 1989 or 1990.

 

[BlakeCary]

with the cap and rotor off, when cranking, do the points open and close?

did you file the points and set the dwell?

The points are brand new, and they were gapped to spec. The mechanic said that the points didnt "click or spark" witht he cap off turning the key. Cant I only set dwell after it is running? I shouldnt be reading 11.4v coming from the "out" of the coil should I? Isnt there suppose to be substantially more?

 

[Scott Danforth]

The secondary side of the coil will be somewhere between 35000 and 55000 volts

The primary circuit one side of the coil is connected to the plus side of the battery through the ignition switch, the negative side of the coil is caused by the points.

The ignition is fired as the coil field collapses when the points are open

 

[Scott Danforth]

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...-how-to-troubleshoot-a-points-ignition-system

 

[BlakeCary]

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...-how-to-troubleshoot-a-points-ignition-system

Thanks for the link! When I get out of work today I will continue my troubleshooting. Fingers crossed that I can get it. Ill update when I have more information.

 

[Fishermark]

New points are sometimes coated - I would suggest trying to clean the points with some alcohol and q tip. Make sure they are good and clean. When you mechanic said they were not sparking, that says something. With the key on and the points closed, you should be able to manually open them and see a small spark between the points when you do.

 

[Scott Danforth]

A point file ( or emery board from the wife's purse) is prefered method of cleaning points.

 

[BlakeCary]

Update. I have power coming from the coil to the cap. I have followed the "Troubleshooting a Points Ignition System" that was in the past post. I think I have a ground issue. Is the purple wire coming into the cap a ground? I see in the wiring diagram it connects to the negative terminal on the coil. Can I jump a wire from the negative to the cap? Or what's next on the ground troubleshooting? The guide doesn't show what to do.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The purple wire is your ignition. That is standard wiring colors. The points go to ground, and they trigger the negative side of the coil.

When your key is on, you should have 12 volts on the purple wire

 

[BlakeCary]

The purple wire is your ignition. That is standard wiring colors. The points go to ground, and they trigger the negative side of the coil.

When your key is on, you should have 12 volts on the purple wire

So how do I diagnose a ground issue?

 

[Scott Danforth]

So that purple wire connected to the capacitor going to points wire is the ground? Could I jump that to a ground and see if it starts?.
Sorry for the newb questions.

If the purple wire is connected to the capacitor, you have it wired wrong

 

[BlakeCary]

If the purple wire is connected to the capacitor, you have it wired wrong

Huh? There is a purple wire coming to the cap. On the wiring diagram I connects to the negative side of the coil at connection 2 in the harness. That wire connects to the capacitor that mounts on the distributor, it is a double sided connection than the points connect to.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The purple wire effectively comes from your battery. There should be either a black or a brown wire going to ground to one side of your points. The second side of your points goes to the negative side of the coil. The capacitor goes across your points that connects one side of the points to the other side of the point.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Points systems are extremely easy to hot wire. Run a jumper wire from the battery connection to the plus side of the coil. The negative side of the coil goes to the points. Crank motor, and motor will run

Electronic ignition have an additional purple wire running to the pickup