Starting problems
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2017
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Starting problems
I have a 1985 ford f250 460 and I dont think im getting fire at some point. I'm getting fuel. But It cranks but wont start. I need this truck as its my source of Income. Anything helps!!
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Did it just stop dead in its tracks?
Did you shut it off one day, and it wouldn't start again?
You need to provide us some information in order to diagnose the problem.
Can you confirm no spark?
Can you confirm power to the coil with the key in the run position?
Did you shut it off one day, and it wouldn't start again?
You need to provide us some information in order to diagnose the problem.
Can you confirm no spark?
Can you confirm power to the coil with the key in the run position?
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2017
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I just turned it off one day an Now it wont start. How do I confirn if the coil is getting power? Haven't checked for spark yet but just trying to get some tips before I tear into it
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Well, you're going to need some way to test for spark (a spare sparkplug?) and some way to check for power on the primary side of the coil if you do not have spark. (this could be a $1.99 testlight from HF)
Do you understand how a distributor functions? (this is the only device between the coil and the plugs)
When was the last time this truck had a tuneup?
Do you understand how a distributor functions? (this is the only device between the coil and the plugs)
When was the last time this truck had a tuneup?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
If you want to check for spark, take a sparkplug wire off one of the sparkplugs, or take the center wire off the distributor that goes to the coil. Stick the tip of a screwdriver up in the end of the wire, and hold the metal shank very near something metal on the engine. While you are holding it very close by the plastic handle, have someone crank the engine. You should see a spark jump from the metal of the screwdriver to the metal of the engine. Hold it pretty close but not touching to the metal part of the engine.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
Try another ignition module. Or you could take yours to the store and see if they can test it. Follow the wires leaving the dist, you should run into a silver box, that is the ignition module.
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Yup, has to be either the module, the pickup coil or the ground inside the distributor.
To test the pickup, disconnect the distributor
Using a multimeter test between the orange and purple wires of the distributor.
Somewhere between 450 and 950 ohms is good.
Test between the black wire of the distributor and the metal body of the distributor.
You should see 0 ohms (full continuity)
To test the pickup, disconnect the distributor
Using a multimeter test between the orange and purple wires of the distributor.
Somewhere between 450 and 950 ohms is good.
Test between the black wire of the distributor and the metal body of the distributor.
You should see 0 ohms (full continuity)
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