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no spark!WTF?

J

jones

1/2 ton status
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May 17, 2004
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Location
IONIA,MI USA
so my truck was running up until I pulled the distributor to turn it 180*.now that it's at TDC,it won't start.there's power to the wires that plug into the dist.,but it's not getting to the plugs.any ideas?coil pack,rotor,...?thanks
 
are you sure your wires were in the right order?
 
jones said:
so my truck was running up until I pulled the distributor to turn it 180*.now that it's at TDC,it won't start.there's power to the wires that plug into the dist.,but it's not getting to the plugs.any ideas?coil pack,rotor,...?thanks
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motor? year?
 
What dist. are you running?

If you're running a big-cap HEI, I've had everything inside of one go bad but never a coil. I always change them but it's never the problem. :rolleyes:

It's always either the pickup coil, the module or even the wiring harness that goes from the cap to the module (sold with the RFI condenser).

How are you checking your power to the coil, VOM or test light? If the coil isn't getting full battery voltage during cranking, the spark will be weak.

You may have fouled the plugs during all that 180-off backfiring.
 
it's an '80 400 with sock Hei ign/dist.went to TDC,firing order 18436572.tested with test light,power to dist.but no where else.rotor doesn't look burned,cracked or crusty(from moisture).didn't see any cracks in the cap.i've got one more rotor to try before buying another one,and i'll check the plugs though i don't think they're going to be the problem.it's only been started up since the engine install.not driven.maybe a 1/2hr.run time.but i'll check them anyway.
 
Do you have an ohm meter? If you do, you can check continuity in the three wires from the cap to the module. You can also check the resistance values of the coil and the pickup. Your local Murray's or Autozone can test the module for you.

This may seem like a dumb question but how did you verify that you're not getting spark? Did you take a plug, attach a wire and hold it against the engine or are you just going by the fact that it's not firing? If the rotor and cap aren't aligned properly, you'll get spark but nowhere the right time.

Do you still have my phone number? Call me and we'll see what we can work through!
 
goldwing2000 said:
Do you have an ohm meter? If you do, you can check continuity in the three wires from the cap to the module. You can also check the resistance values of the coil and the pickup. Your local Murray's or Autozone can test the module for you.

This may seem like a dumb question but how did you verify that you're not getting spark? Did you take a plug, attach a wire and hold it against the engine or are you just going by the fact that it's not firing? If the rotor and cap aren't aligned properly, you'll get spark but nowhere the right time.

Do you still have my phone number? Call me and we'll see what we can work through!
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no ohm meter.I'll have it tested though.i had a friend holding the plug against the engine and there was nothing.it's way to cold this weekend to mess with it,but when i get ready to work on it again I'll give you a shout.what would a D.U.I. set me back?
 
goldwing2000 said:
DUI? As in a drunk driving arrest?? Thousands, man... thousands. Don't do it. :eek1:
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:haha: hE!! No!I'd actually have to drink to do that.Davis Unified Ignition(D.U.I.)A high perf.distributor.oh yeah.I worked on it today for a bit.put on another rotor(not new)and got enough spark to pop through the carb a couple of times then no spark after that.that or very weak spark .the un-seeable type.the plugs are gas soaked,i'm assuming because it won't fire...i hope.still getting power to the dist.,though.would i be able to ground the test light and put the probe into the plug wire to see if it's getting power to the end of the wire?
 
jones said:
:haha: hE!! No!I'd actually have to drink to do that.Davis Unified Ignition(D.U.I.)A high perf.distributor.oh yeah.I worked on it today for a bit.put on another rotor(not new)and got enough spark to pop through the carb a couple of times then no spark after that.that or very weak spark .the un-seeable type.the plugs are gas soaked,i'm assuming because it won't fire...i hope.still getting power to the dist.,though.would i be able to ground the test light and put the probe into the plug wire to see if it's getting power to the end of the wire?
Click to expand...

Not unless it's rated for spark testing. Most test lights are only rated for 12v, not 40,000v. :D

Most spark testers clamp to the outside of the plug wire using an inductive pickup.

Never heard of a DUI distributor.
 
goldwing2000 said:
Never heard of a DUI distributor.
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watch Hot Rod TV.it's advertised.I'll try changing the plugs and have the ECM tested.it's just to freakin' cold!!!!
 
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