Ignition problems
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19
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From: Chesapeake
Ignition problems
I just put a rebuilt 302 in my 87 F-150. It ran fine for a while, but sometimes I had trouble starting, plenty of fuel (I could smell it). It finally stopped starting, I replaced the battery, TFI, Distributer, coil, wires, plugs, starter relay, and rotor. I even bougt an MSD box and hooked it up. I still have no spark. I did have juice from the coil when I started, now I have none. Th engine cranks and I can still smell the fuel but no spark. The only thing left is the computer (EEC-IV)or ignition switch. My ignition switch does act up, sometimes when I start it the heater does not come on unless I turn the key back a little. Any advice???????Compter/Ignition switch/something else. Where the hell is the computer? Is it under my dash? How much is a computer (it may be time to hit a junk yard)?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Ignition problems
The computer doesn't send the spark signal - it only adjusts the timing if the SPOUT connector is plugged in. If the coil is getting power when the key is in the START & RUN positions, it's not the ignition switch. It sounds like it's flooding. Have you pulled the codes?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,984
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Ignition problems
My money's on a faulty ignition switch. That era Ford was notorious for having bad switches. There was a recall on some models.
Check for voltage at the coil positive terminal with the key on. If no or low voltage, chances are it's a bad switch.
Check for voltage at the coil positive terminal with the key on. If no or low voltage, chances are it's a bad switch.
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7
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From: CenterLine, MI.
Ignition problems
First off if you installed a MSD dont check for voltage at the coil.
"very dangerous to you and your box" connect the switched wire
"the one that goes to your ignition switch" on msd to the battery pos and crank the engine over. If you still have no spark the problem is your Dist. I had the same problem on my 85' mustang GT.
"very dangerous to you and your box" connect the switched wire
"the one that goes to your ignition switch" on msd to the battery pos and crank the engine over. If you still have no spark the problem is your Dist. I had the same problem on my 85' mustang GT.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Chesapeake
Ignition problems
I have an update and still need help?!.???
On top of all the other new crap, I now changed the computer, ignition switch and starter. I got the truck running and set the timing. After that I turned it off and it would not turn over. It sounded like the battery was dead, but it was fully charged. Let it set a while and it finally cranked over and ran. All day it has been off and on. Right now I have no spark again and it will not start (It does crank over). Every part is new, so I think I have a short somewhere. Someone mentioned fusable links. I have five coming off my solenoid. How do you check them? Is there another problem spot I should key in on?
On top of all the other new crap, I now changed the computer, ignition switch and starter. I got the truck running and set the timing. After that I turned it off and it would not turn over. It sounded like the battery was dead, but it was fully charged. Let it set a while and it finally cranked over and ran. All day it has been off and on. Right now I have no spark again and it will not start (It does crank over). Every part is new, so I think I have a short somewhere. Someone mentioned fusable links. I have five coming off my solenoid. How do you check them? Is there another problem spot I should key in on?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,728
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From: Keweenaw Bay, MI
Ignition problems
Read your fusible links like you do a fuse. find both ends and read with a meter or continuity tester.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Keweenaw Bay, MI
Ignition problems
Oh, sometimes you may have to take a common pin and poke it through the insulation if you cannot got to one end, and read to the pin.
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