Ignition problem- no spark

[Mountain_man]

Ok so last night I'm driving home and the suburban just dies. After checking for fuel and spark it has no spark. I replace the ICM and still doesn't start. It has a less then 6month old MSD blaster coil on it. That is the only other place to really check for no spark right? Not something I could really be missing?

Also for the past few days when sitting at idle at a stop light then press on the gas it'll hesitate. Fuelfilter is new, Cap and rotor are new, wires/plugs, and of course ICM/coil. Could the coil be affecting all of this? Should I go back to an old stock coil? thanks.
Josh

 

[toomany]

I'd check the coil, it's easy to pop a new one on there.

I've personaly seen two Msd TBI coils go bad.

 

[dfl701]

check the capacitor in the distributor. my truck did this and i replaced the ICM and coil to find out that little capacitor was causing my problems

 

[Mountain_man]

Hopefully checker will exchange the msd coil that's less then 6months old. I'll get back to ya'll with hopefully a running rig.

 

[come.get.some]

The following test will determine if your MSD is producing a spark.

White Wire Trigger:

If you are using the White wire (points or electronic amplifier) of the MSD to trigger the ignition, follow these steps.

1. Make sure the ignition switch is in the Off position.

2. Remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and position the terminal so it is approximately 1/2" from a good ground.

3. Disconnect the MSD White wire from the distributor points or the ignition amplifier.

4. Turn the ignition to the On position. DO NOT CRANK THE ENGINE.

5. Tap the White wire to ground several times. Each time the wire is pulled away from ground a spark should jump from the coil wire to ground. If spark is present, the ignition is working properly.

If there is no spark:
Inspect all of the wiring.
Substitute another coil and test again. If there is now spark, the coil is at fault.
C. If there is still no spark, check to make sure there is 12 volts on the small Red wire from the MSD when the key is in the On position. If 12 volts are not present, find another 12-volt source and repeat the test.
D. After inspecting the test procedures and inspecting all of the wiring, there is still no spark, the Ignition is at fault.

Magnetic Pickup Trigger:

If you are using the 2-Pin Magnetic Pickup of the MSD to trigger the ignition, follow these steps.

1. Make sure the ignition switch is in the Off position.
2. Remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and position the terminal so it is approximately 1/2" from a good ground.
3. Disconnect the MSD Magnetic Pickup connector from the distributor.
4. Turn the ignition to the On position. DO NOT CRANK THE ENGINE.


5. With a small jumper wire, short the Green and Violet magnetic pickup wires together then pull the jumper off. Each time the short is removed a spark should jump If spark is present, the ignition is working properly.
If there is no spark:

A. Inspect all of the wiring.
B. Substitute another coil and test again. If there is now spark, the coil is at fault.

C. If there is still no spark, check to make sure there is 12 volts on the small Red wire from the MSD when the key is in the On position. If 12 volts are not present, find another 12-volt source and repeat the test.
D. After inspecting the test procedures and inspecting all of the wiring, there is still no spark, the Ignition is at fault.

 

[Mountain_man]

Well I replaced the coil and it runs great again. However I noticed the new rotor I put in was worn down and creating a "jump" for the spark to jump on the center of the rotor. I assume this is not normal however are their better rotors to buy that wont do this under such a large spark? Do I need to run MSD's cap/rotor? Thanks again
Josh

 

[Blazin'4x4]

Msd recommends their parts are to be used with their parts for a good reason. Msd spark cant travel thru stock wires efficiently, msd spark cant travel thru stock rotors efficiently, and son an so forth. Supposed to upgrade the entire spark system to maximize the use of any msd component. Also, are you runnin a 6a?, 6al?...