1978 Ford E250 Van has no spark
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Joined: Oct 2014
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1978 Ford E250 Van has no spark
I live in Colorado, but, I have a Ford Van on the Big Island of Hawaii. I pay to store it and have someone start it up often, however, it has been a couple months since started it up. Ran perfectly fine.
Now, I'm in Hawaii trying to start the van. It turns over with out any problem. Clearly there is no spark, and trying to spray a little ether has no effect at all, not even a slight pop.
My Van has been here in Hawaii a couple years now. Never had a problem with it. Runs great.
Any ideas of why there might be no spark?
Now, I'm in Hawaii trying to start the van. It turns over with out any problem. Clearly there is no spark, and trying to spray a little ether has no effect at all, not even a slight pop.
My Van has been here in Hawaii a couple years now. Never had a problem with it. Runs great.
Any ideas of why there might be no spark?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 10
From: Thornhill , Ontario
Your Box is toasted ....(Read computer) it should be Duraspark II but check the connectors for corrosion.......It is a white Metal square box with a couple of connectors to it ....They go ..If you need one I have several...PM me your email and I will send pics....
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,293
Likes: 47
From: South central, Minnesota
What engine does your 78 have?
No spark on a 78 could be ignition module, ignition coil, distributor magnetic pickup coil, bad coil wire, wiring issue or even a sheared roll pin on the distributor drive gear.
I think I would start off by popping the coil wire off the distributor cap set it close to something metal and have someone crank the engine over and check for a strong spark. If you have a strong spark then your problem is most like the distributor cap and/or rotor.
If there is no spark I would pop the distributor cap off. Have some one crank the engine over and check and make sure the rotor is spinning. If the rotor doesn't spin then you've got a sheared off roll pin on the distributor drive gear. If it does spin then time to break out the multi-meter.
A good repair manual will show you how to check the coil resistance, dist. pick up coil, power to the coil and the ignition module, etc. and that will lead you to the problem.
Or you can just throw parts at it till you get it to start.
No spark on a 78 could be ignition module, ignition coil, distributor magnetic pickup coil, bad coil wire, wiring issue or even a sheared roll pin on the distributor drive gear.
I think I would start off by popping the coil wire off the distributor cap set it close to something metal and have someone crank the engine over and check for a strong spark. If you have a strong spark then your problem is most like the distributor cap and/or rotor.
If there is no spark I would pop the distributor cap off. Have some one crank the engine over and check and make sure the rotor is spinning. If the rotor doesn't spin then you've got a sheared off roll pin on the distributor drive gear. If it does spin then time to break out the multi-meter.
A good repair manual will show you how to check the coil resistance, dist. pick up coil, power to the coil and the ignition module, etc. and that will lead you to the problem.
Or you can just throw parts at it till you get it to start.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2014
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Thank you for the information. I did go ahead and go with the initial suggestion. I took out the ignition module, took into town and had them test it. It looked pretty bad. Anyway, it tested bad. Bought a new one, installed it, and the van started up. I have spark again. Thank you so much for the help. Great information.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
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The all look the same from '75-1/2 thru '91 
Later ones, the body panels didn't match up as well, as the molds were getting worn out.............after 16 years of stamping.........
My first ever 'brand-new-off-the-dealer-lot' was a '78
Later ones, the body panels didn't match up as well, as the molds were getting worn out.............after 16 years of stamping.........
My first ever 'brand-new-off-the-dealer-lot' was a '78
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