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I have a 1998 woodchipper with a carbureted motor that I recently repainted and everything but for the life of me I can't get it to start now. I did have ground issues after putting it back together causing it not to start, but fixed that. While painting it, I did loose the ignition key and swapped the switch with on laying around. What all I've done is che led with a test light and am getting power on all of the key switch terminals. Same with the fender solenoid while cranking and the coil only gets power between the dist and coil while you cycle the key back and forth but not while cranking(tested this with a inline spark tester). I did change the coil with no luck. I am getting fuel also. Any ideas?
turn the key in and on...then get a length of wire and bypass your start solenoid from battery to starter post. see if your solenoid is giving you problems. you could test your starter carefully with jumper cables once you pull it out to see if its the starter. other than that, keep checking wires and terminals with your multimeter. do a search for starting problems on ford ign systems. its easy to reconnect your wiring to the solenoid incorrectly...so double check that.
The solenoid is working as it still cranks. The only thing that was unhooked was the ground wires and key switch wires(but were reinstalled on terminal at a time).
sounds like 1 of 3 issues...
1. bad connection from start switch to coil (but it cranks and gets partial power so thats not likely)
2. grounding issue
3. bad ICM. have you tried hang testing a different control module? you can have your existing ICM tested at your local parts dealer for free to see if its bad. make sure they run the test several times to get it nice and warm to try and recreate the fault.
if the module turns out to be bad, would the pickup coil in the distributor be bad as I replaced it about 4 years ago. and also with the inline spark tester between the coil and the distributor it does shock ya a bit while cranking it over. But only get spark in the tester when you turn the key on only.
it sounds like you're on the right track. its good to think ahead and try to anticipate the next step or other possible problems...but when you have a no start issue, try to eliminate one thing at a time. its easier to keep track of it all, that way later on, if you have to get knee deep into it, its easier to backtrack if necessary.
i wouldnt think your pickup your pickup would be bad...although anything is possible i suppose. what type of system is on it? is it duraspark 1 or 2? or something else perhaps? if you have any other background info on it, that'd be helpful to other forum members so they can help you diagnose and get her fixed up.
I'm not sure if it a duraspark 1 or 2. The module has 2 plugs, 1 4 wire plug and 1 2 wire. The module has a blue wire boot on the block of it. The module did test out today after 5 minutes worth of checking it.
sounds like a duraspark 2 system. if the ignition box is still good and tests out, you're getting power to your coil and distributor, plus its turning over....hmmm sounds like maybe a poor connection between switch, the icm, and your distributor.
yes you should be getting power to the distributor...you are correct.
its really sounding more and more like the ignition switch. check for continuity between different positions.