Hello all,new member here with an age old problem on a 96 F250 with EEC-iv. Ive been reading several posts and have learned a great deal,and ready to attack this issue logically,instead of just throwing more parts at it.Which I have already done!! As I have said I have seen some good stuff here, but I am having a problem going back to locate info as I need it.I was viewing a Utube video that one of you suggested,it was from Eric the Carguy,when my laptop went dead.Now I can't locate it again! I was at a point in the video where he was about to ground SPOUT wire to force a spark (I think).SO anyhow looking for some adviceon my issue or help in navigating threads to fix my truck. A little info about my project and what has been done.This truck has always had an issue with loss of fire, so I decided to upgrade anything related. So new coil,distributor,TFI,battery,ignition switch so far.And still no spark at the coil.I do have aPIP signal and lost at this point.
This is an OBD-1,and so far not able to get anything in the way of codes when trying the code read tests as described in several threads here,also CIL light never on(EVER).so maybe bad PCM ? Not ready to buy unless needed.
OK so here is a twist or maybe a clue to what is up here.When the truck would start,it only would start ,if I had a high current battery charger hooked up to my battery ! And that is with a new battery installed,,Engine cranks over very well with or without the charger hooked up,but would only fire with charger hooked up, so I suspected a low voltage situation ? although I should point out that this trick no longer works,cannot get spark at all now.
PLEASE HELP !!

 

Pull the instrument cluster , and check that the cel bulb is good first thing.
replace the bulb , ensure the light comes on with the key turned to on , but not cranking.
If it doesn't, make sure the trace on the cluster is not damaged .

 

You probably have a voltage drop situation. Check both battery cables THOROUGHLY as well as ALL connections for both hot and ground. Make sure every single factory ground point is actually there and not removed.

-- Dave

 

thanks for your response, a working CEL would be helpful !

 

appreciate your response, and will check all that again.I feel though my problem might a gremlin though !
I probably left this out and might be important. I never get voltage to Start signal to TFI> I think that comes from the ECM?