No spark...what is this thing?

[chriso]

Hello!<br />Waiting on manuals, checking out the electric on a 64 Dream .<br />Found a little rotary switch just behind the chain next to the kickstart rod that had its wire severed. What does this do?<br /><br />I have not gotten volts to the coil, after replacing the condencer, points, rectifier , and soon the wire harness. <br /><br />Thanks!<br />chriso<br /><br /><br /><br />

[georGe]

Sounds like the neutral light switch that has the cut wire.<br /> As far as not getting voltage at the coil it is a possibility that ya have a bad ignition switch.<br /><br /><br />georGe

[mabailey]

Without using a voltmeter or testing light to trace back to where you are loosing power all you can do is speculate what the problem is. The trick to diagnosing any electrical problem is to assume nothing (new parts can be faulty too - although rare), start tracing from the point that you know you have power, in your case as a starting point confirm that power (12 Volts) is getting as far as the ignition switch. Things to look for are corroded or oil/grease covered terminals and connectors, loose connectors, broken wires, and worn insulation on wiring that may be shorting out to the frame. <br /><br />Anything that causes the voltage to drop (resistance in the wiring) will cause ignition (spark) problems.