Volvo-Penta/Chevy V8 Ignition

russellramjet · 25-08-2010, 10:54 PM

Hello, I'm having trouble with the ignition on a Volvo-Penta 290A V8. The only way I can get a spark from the coil is by putting a wire from the +battery to the +side of the coil. It then starts on the key. Then if I take the +wire off the coil it still runs...and still runs if I turn the key off! I guess the alternator is back-feeding the coil? Thanks for any help. Regards Russ

russellramjet · 26-08-2010, 09:03 PM

I managed to fix the problem. It was nearly a job for Harry Potter!! See those of you who are going, in Cowes. Russ

Jizm · 31-08-2010, 06:46 AM

The boat did this before Russ, It was an alternator wiring fault. I can't remember what I did to get over it at the time as it was on land and we were just getting it to run.

russellramjet · 31-08-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jizm

The boat did this before Russ, It was an alternator wiring fault. I can't remember what I did to get over it at the time as it was on land and we were just getting it to run.

Thanks Jizm, I think you took the wire supplying the rev limiter off the coil as that stopped the engine when put back, the rev limiter was tech. I'm going to throw the Volvo-Penta set up and fit MSD. Ironically I was going to do this before the race, but ran out of time. There's always next time! Cheers Russ

Jizm · 31-08-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellramjet

Thanks Jizm, I think you took the wire supplying the rev limiter off the coil as that stopped the engine when put back, the rev limiter was tech. I'm going to throw the Volvo-Penta set up and fit MSD. Ironically I was going to do this before the race, but ran out of time. There's always next time! Cheers Russ

Yes that's sounds about right, it was a bit of a bird's nest in there as I remember, someone had also linked the tacho signal to the alternator and the +ve side of the coil aswell. I got it running and switching off! Then we took the dash away and started fitting all new guages, that was the last I had to with it.....
Got bored with the bits hanging around, the previous owner had good intentions and all that but never had the know how or the back up to realise them....