No spark condition help!
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2009
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No spark condition help!
Hello all, I have 86 f350 460 with duraspark 2 ignition, I lent it to a friend this weekend and he said it shut down on him, he said he was able to run a jumper from the battery to the coil and it started back up. Now I'm having the same problem. I have not replicated what he did, but I did some basic testing, key on I'm showing 12v at the coil, but while cranking have no spark in the plugs or distributor. I'm wondering if the sensor inside the distributor is not telling the module to fire, if the module itself is bad, or the coil was burnt up by him using this jumper. Thanks for your help!
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Elder User
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I assume at this point, I could pull the module and take it to the nearest auto parts store and have it tested, but I'm trying to test basic things first before I start throwing money and time at it. By running a jumper to the hot side of the coil and having it start doesn't make sense to me, as it's getting 12v at the hot side horseshoe connector. Not sure with it cranking however, I am testing by myself. I did check the resistance of the coil with everything disconnected and it showed 0.
Senior User
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Do you have a spark plug test light? It has a little boot that attaches to the distributor and the other side goes up into the spark plug wire, if not I highly recommend you get one! Harbor freight has one for like 10$. But anyway, put that between the connection to the coil and dizzy and see if it lights up while cranking. If it doesn't, you need a coil, if it does we'll go from there! You can also plug a spark plug into your coil wire and see if it sparks but I like the test light much better!
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Washington
First have the DS2 IGN module tested as this is the most likely the problem.
As for why it run with the jumper wire, the IGN modlue tends to self heal when then cool down.
A 12 volt reading is not correct and also indicates a DS2 IGN module failure.
With the Key ON , voltmeter connected to the coil positive (reading 12v) ground the negitive side of the coil. The voltage reading should drop to ~7 volts, give or take a volt.
If the voltage does drop then the coil primary windings are intact,
If you tap the GRD jumper wire to GRD... the coil will fire a spark for each tap.
And thus you just tested the coil.
Jim
As for why it run with the jumper wire, the IGN modlue tends to self heal when then cool down.
A 12 volt reading is not correct and also indicates a DS2 IGN module failure.
With the Key ON , voltmeter connected to the coil positive (reading 12v) ground the negitive side of the coil. The voltage reading should drop to ~7 volts, give or take a volt.
If the voltage does drop then the coil primary windings are intact,
If you tap the GRD jumper wire to GRD... the coil will fire a spark for each tap.
And thus you just tested the coil.
Jim
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Elder User
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Thank you, will pull the ign module and have tested tomorrow. I thought it may be at first, but I started second guessing why a direct jumper would fire it when I was getting 12v from the box.
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Elder User
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If in fact the module is bad, I want to replace it with motorcraft, as I've had terrible luck with Chinese starter solenoids, I've heard the talk about different color grommets for different vehicles and years. my module is a smooth with ribs at the front, no visible markings or stampings like I've seen on other duraspark units, not sure if it's original, and I can't make out a color. What should I be looking for and what do I stay away from? Cross reference at parts store shows no difference in color grommets. Thanks again!
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