Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Newest Problem

Old Sep 3, 2016 | 08:55 PM
  #1  
hharris8's Avatar
hharris8
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Newest Problem

Earlier the truck started by just flicking the key. I then ran it for about 1 minute and turned it off. I then tried to restart it and it will not start. My grandad stuck a screwdriver in the coil and grounded it and there were no sparks so he got a new ignition coil. It still will not start. I charged the battery which has 14.5 volts and the wire leading to the ignition coil has 14.5 volts when key is on and it falls to about 11.5 when trying to crank. I hooked up the spark checker to the ignition coil wire and tried cranking and it did not seem to spark (but the sparker seems to make more of a noise than a spark and with the engine cranking I could not hear it.). It started so well earlier what could be causing this new problem?

1986 Ford Bronco with '79 LTD II 8 cylinder 302 engine. Edelbrock Performer 500 cfm electric choke carburetor with Edelbrock performer 2121 intake manifold.
 
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2016 | 10:15 PM
  #2  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
This is a good place for a test light... place it on the coil negative and try to start it; does the light flash?
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 08:18 AM
  #3  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
Ok with all your other posts don't know what do you have for IGN. System?
Stock 86 and if so what type is it TFI & computer or DSII or did you re-place it with aftermarket dist.?


I am going to say if no spark it is something with the IGN system but need to know what you have to point you in the right direction.
Dave ----
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 08:19 AM
  #4  
hharris8's Avatar
hharris8
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
It is DSII. I stuck both a grounded screwdriver and my sparker in the coil why cranking and neither sparked, but I am getting 12V to the coil. Is it my ICM?
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 08:20 AM
  #5  
hharris8's Avatar
hharris8
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
It is stick 79 I believe.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 08:56 AM
  #6  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
The module inside the distributor instructs the ICM to fire the coil.

Again - does the testlight flash?
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 08:56 AM
  #7  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
Did you try what Chris said using a test light on the neg of the coil?
Guessing it will not flash when cranking the motor over.


First I would pull apart all electrical connections to the dist. & DSII box on the left fender well and make sure they are clean and making good connections.


I would think if that all checks out it is 1 of 2 things.
1 DSII box on fender well is bad.
2 Pick up coil in the dist. is bad.


Pick up coil in dist. sends signal to the DSII box that then sends signal to the coil that sends spark to dist. cap.
Dave ----
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 09:12 AM
  #8  
hharris8's Avatar
hharris8
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
I connected the test light to the neg terminal and the filament turned orange when key was in the on position. When I tried to start it the light flashed quickly. Does it matter what coil I got to replace it with? I got this one (Accel Super Stock Coil 8140: Advance Auto Parts). It has nuts rather than slip on terminals, but it matched my engine.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 09:35 AM
  #9  
hharris8's Avatar
hharris8
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Found one problem. I made a rookie mistake and assumed the + terminal was on the same side as the other coil. I hooked the wires up correctly and the neg turns the test light non brightly when the key is on and it stays on.

I tried to start it and it started great, but all of that messing around up there disconnected the PCV and it ran at a super high RPM and then died. I tried to plug the PCV back in a restart and it will not start again. Flooded?It does exactly like before, cranking strong but does not run.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 09:48 AM
  #10  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by hharris8
Found one problem. I made a rookie mistake and assumed the + terminal was on the same side as the other coil. I hooked the wires up correctly and the neg turns the test light non brightly when the key is on and it stays on.

I tried to start it and it started great, but all of that messing around up there disconnected the PCV and it ran at a super high RPM and then died. I tried to plug the PCV back in a restart and it will not start again. Flooded?It does exactly like before, cranking strong but does not run.
Ok now that it will not start again try the test light on the neg post of the coil and crank the motor over, does it flash when it will not start?
Dave ----
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 09:50 AM
  #11  
hharris8's Avatar
hharris8
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
I will try will quick. I out a spark tester in the #1 wire and turned the distributor with the key on which gets it to spark usually, but it did not this time, so I am not getting power all the way to the plugs. I will check the test light and get back on that in a sec.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 09:58 AM
  #12  
hharris8's Avatar
hharris8
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
I hooked the test light to the neg and the filament turned a faint orange. I then jumped the solenoid and the light flashed (not real bright, but it did flash). I then tried to hook the test light to the positive and it lit very brightly. I then tried to jump the solenoid with the test light on the positive and when I touched the solenoid the truck started with no hesitation. I got the RPM's right and the timing to 8 BTDC and left it running. Why is it cycling? Was it just flooded?
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 10:08 AM
  #13  
hharris8's Avatar
hharris8
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Or is my ICM cycling?
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 10:13 AM
  #14  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
It could be flooding or the box could be flaking out.


I had a non Ford that used the DSII system from the factory (76 AMC 258/6 Gremlin wifes car) it would start and run fine. After a min or 2 of warm up put in gear back out of parking spot change to drive and pull up to gate wait for it to open then 200 ft to stop light and it would shut down.
Same thing in mornings short warm up drive 1/4 mile to stop light and it would shut down.
Replaced box and all was fine after that. Because it was the wifes car and the short warm ups and stalling I was always looking at the choke.


So don't overlook the DSII box it can do strange things. No spark (check at the coil not at a plug is a better place to test) thinking box (icm)
Dave ----
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2016 | 10:32 AM
  #15  
hharris8's Avatar
hharris8
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Ok. What else should I look for in a failing box? Also, like I said before in another thread my fuel pressure can be as high as 9 psi with carb max recommendation of 6.5. That would not account for the failure to spark though.
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:03 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE