no spark?

[ddy]

So I'm back with my "20 years ago pre-smog only" engine experience.

I'm trying to move the truck to the place I'm going to pull the heads off (see my recent post), but now it won't start.

I pulled a plug and checked for fire by hooking up the wire, touching the threads of the plug an exhaust manifold bolt, and turning her over. No spark. I'm hoping that's a valid way to test... I'm used to what must be really old style plug wires where you can slip the boot back and hold the metal loop inside close to an engine bolt.

Anyway I don't know anything about electronic ignition, but I figured I'd test for spark by putting a plug into the end of the wire that goes to the center of the distributor cap and trying to see any kind of arc while turning it over...

Nothing.

Should I see spark using these methods? Do I have a bad coil or whatever they call it in EI?

Thanks for your reading (and your patience).

Maybe I'll get the system administrator to let me change my username to K5n00b!

:-)

-Daniel

 

[shaun89]

what year/model r u working with?

 

[ddy]

what Year/model R U Working With?

1991 350

 

[shaun89]

hmm, maybe the coil is burned out. or the ignition module(under the rotor) is fried.make sure when u test it the metal u have the plug on is clean and not rusted. or u can test it urself(its not that bad )

 

[ddy]

hmm, maybe the coil is burned out. or the ignition module(under the rotor) is fried.make sure when u test it the metal u have the plug on is clean and not rusted. or u can test it urself(its not that bad )

Since I didn't get spark out of the coil I think I'll go pick one up. Hopefully it isn't that expensive...

Thanks,

Daniel

 

[greg mgm]

Before you buy the coil, check for voltage from the ignition switch, at the distributor. And double check the rotor and cap for any possible problems. Check that the wires (the 2 plugs from the switch and distributor itself) are plugged in snugly into the cap. If it all checks out, can you borrow a coil from a friend...before you buy?

 

[ddy]

Before you buy the coil, check for voltage from the ignition switch, at the distributor. And double check the rotor and cap for any possible problems. Check that the wires (the 2 plugs from the switch and distributor itself) are plugged in snugly into the cap. If it all checks out, can you borrow a coil from a friend...before you buy?

Well if I should be getting spark from the coil by plugging in a spark plug into the coil<-->distributor wire and turning it over... AND if I measure 12v at the wire terminal to the coil, then I'll go buy one. They're $25 which appears to be about the cheapest thing to replace on the ignition system. The module is like $40 and a cap and rotor kit is like $80.

I'll reply back with the results... gotta mow the lawn first :-)

-Daniel

 

[ddy]

I got 12v at the coil so I replaced it... no dice.

No spark.

Any way I can isolate the problem without spending more dough?

 

[NewUser]

easiest thing to do would be remove the module and take it to your local parts store...they should be able to test it for you and tell you if its bad or not