67 f100 4x4, 352.

I was driving on the free way today and the radio suddenly quit working. I didn't think alot about it, except maybe the antenna disconnected or something, but I was driving and could not look closely.

Then a while later the engine suddently lost power, backfired a couple of times, and stopped. As I tried to start it, it was clear there was no spark. The engine does turn over (not a dead battery)

Its still beside the road. I am having to go back once traffic is lighter, to get it. Its just too dangerous to mess with towing with things this busy.

Anyway. My first thought is that it is a failed ground or failed ignition switch. Are those the only two things that could stop the spark at the engine and cause the radio to quit?

Of course, the two issues could be unrelated as well. The backfiring has me stumped except maybe it was a form of dieseling as I rolled to a stop.

I will check to make sure the timing chain is Ok too. Any thoughts.

 

Not sure. But the ignition switch would make sense. Maybe the voltage regulator?

Where did it die on you? I might be able to help in recovery.

 

Thank you for the offer. It is near Bell Rd and I-17. It is secure for now. I think we can get it later. Are you in the Phoenix area? Oh. I see from your profile you are in Chandler. That would be a ways for you to drive. Funny, this truck has spent the last 20 years or so in Gilbert.

 

Yeah I'm in west chandler. I-10 and 202. 17 and bell is over 30 miles away though. I was thinkin you might have been downtown somewhere. I'll still come help if Ya need me to.

 

The ignition switch or connection thereto is the common link between radio and ignition failure. A dying switch or bad connection will cause backfire.
Replace the switch and connector.

 

Try hot wiring it to get it off the freeway. Run a jumper wire from the battery to the + terminal on the coil. Crank it over and it should start. Gonna have to pull the wire to kill it though.

 

Oy. The first things that popped into my head was a toasted fusible link.... or a failed timing chain due to the backfire.

 

[QUOTE=HIO Silver;15224961]Oy. The first things that popped into my head was a toasted fusible link.... or a failed timing chain due to the backfire.[/QUHow could a timing chain failure cause a radio to drop out?

 

So how did it go? What did you do?

 

OK. Thank you for the input. Towed it home last night and began the diagnosis. I kept the radio in mind but did not assume the two were linked. It was a good thing.

1. Checked for spark at plugs. No spark.
2. Checked for spark going into the distributor. No spark.
3. Checked for power to the coil. 12.5 v
4. Tested the coil with the meter. Seemed bad. I have no confidence in my ability to use an ohmmeter correctly.
5. Headed for O'Reilly's. Believe it or not they had a coil.
6. Installed the coil in about 20 minutes. Fixed.

Drove it to work this morning. So thats the story. Thanks for the input and offers to help. That was really kind.

I think the radio was just coincidental, oddly enough, it started working again. I think the backfiring was just dieseling because I was travelling at highway speed, the engine was hot, and the fuel was still flowing because it was in gear for a little bit before I realized the engine had actually stopped running>

These old trucks have little gremlins in them I think.

 

Good deal! Glad it was an easy fix.