My 95 f150 v8 5.0 won't start. Didn't find any spark when grounding the plug wire, so replaced cap and rotor. Still no spark.


I guess there's a coil somewhere up the line, I should replace that? Is there a computer somewhere that might have gone bad?


Thanks for any advice!

 

Don't throw parts at it. Troubleshoot.

There are plenty of threads here on ignition systems. Do a search and you will find troubleshooting help. You will need a multimeter, or at least a test light.

There is a coil and there is an ignition module. There also is a sensor in the distributor. Likely spots to start looking. There is a connection to the vehicle computer, but there is a lot to check before you start replacing major components like that.

 

First step is to remove the gray SPOUT shorting jumper bar and see if spark returns when you crank it.



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Finally winter has passed and I was able to take a trip up North and work on my son's truck. Well, thanks Bill, pulling the SPOUT plug did the trick, the truck started right up. Now to figure out why.... I guess it doesn't matter since the truck is running without the plug.

 

Most of the time that means the computer is bad.
But could be bad wiring shoring out between the ICM and the computer.

 

Yes it does matter. Without the SPOUT (Spark Output) jumper installed your ignition timing will stay at 10 degrees (or wherever the last guy set it, 10 deg is factory) and not advance.

 

Last fall the truck wouldn't start after a massive backfire blew up the muffler. I guess that points to a bad computer....


I'll be back up there in a couple weeks and can continue troubleshooting. I see computers on ebay for between $69 and $170. I presume that the truck may not run well until I get this fixed.

 

After sitting for several years I am again working on this problem.

The truck is very difficult to start in the morning. Eventually it starts, but is prone to stalling and be somewhat stubborn to start again, but not as bad as the morning.

One clue: strangely, while trying to start, the tachometer does not budge, seems hard pegged to zero RPM. But when it does start successfully the tach is seen to bounce a bit just before it starts up.

I bought a used computer and ICM from a junk yard, but replacing them seemed to have no effect.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Ford Ignition Module Test. Fender Mounted Module (ICM).

 

BTW, thanks, I'll be undertaking the test procedure later this week when my helper is available.

 

Finally undertook testing, but the truck started occasionally which halted testing.

Looks like a bad PIP sensor (pickup coil). I'm going to replace the distributor rather than coax the sensor out which looks like a difficult job.

 

By the way for the heck of it the PIP sensor is a pick-up switch, it has no coil.
The PIP sensor is mounted on the Stator Assembly.
To replace the Stator Assembly the Distributor has to be removed and the Distributor has to be completely taken apart.
And most Distributors at auto part stores have bad PIP sensors in them unless it is a new Distributor and it is not rebuilt or remanufactured.

The pick-up coil was used in the 1970's and early to mid 1980's Ford line with the Duraspark Ignition.

 

I just brought home a new distributor from Oreillys. We'll see, hopefully not a difficult job. I also have new plug wires and a new ignition coil.

 

Final: replaced ignition coil and distributor assembly and truck starts every time.

Replacing the distributor was not difficult. One bolt in a clip holds it down. Hardest part was to get the distributor unstuck. A well placed crow bar managed to loosen it.

 

Thanks for followup with the resolution.