Crank no start.
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5th Gear
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Crank no start.
1977 Ford F250 4x4 with a 400ci. Tried starting truck today. But wont start.
As i noticed there is no spark on crank. But when turning key off it will spark when ignition switch is turned off. I did repleace the igntion switch. To no avail still same problem. So i changed the coil and wires and cap and rotor. Which needed to be done. And still there's no spark.
Is there away to test the pick up in the distrubtor.
and also is there away to test the Ignition Control Module? . Thanks Brian.
As i noticed there is no spark on crank. But when turning key off it will spark when ignition switch is turned off. I did repleace the igntion switch. To no avail still same problem. So i changed the coil and wires and cap and rotor. Which needed to be done. And still there's no spark.
Is there away to test the pick up in the distrubtor.
and also is there away to test the Ignition Control Module? . Thanks Brian.
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5th Gear
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Also I do need mention the motor thats spec on vin plate is a 351. Not the 400. So im not exact on what year or what the motor came out of. But will start with those tests. Thanks.
also the pickup is has the blue color and also so does the icm module.
any idea how to tell if its dura spark I or II?
also the pickup is has the blue color and also so does the icm module.
any idea how to tell if its dura spark I or II?
Last edited by Lilbrian86; Nov 30, 2025 at 08:56 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Montana
That doesn't make any difference, the ignition components from mid 70s to mid 80s were very similar and use the same tests. You have duraspark II, the duraspark I was only in cars in the early 70s as far as I recall. The pickups switched from points to electronic ignition in '75 and jumped straight to duraspark II. 351M/400/460 all use same dizzy.
Last edited by mterickson; Nov 30, 2025 at 08:58 PM.
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5th Gear
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So i tested the pickup. Only have continuity to ground on black wire. Ohms resistance between orange and purple is 623.
still only have spark when shut off ignition switch
None while cranking.
also I have 12 volts on the 2 wire plug on the red wire while in run position. Nothing on white. And also have 12 volts on the green wire in 4 wire plug.
still only have spark when shut off ignition switch
None while cranking.
also I have 12 volts on the 2 wire plug on the red wire while in run position. Nothing on white. And also have 12 volts on the green wire in 4 wire plug.
Last edited by Lilbrian86; Dec 1, 2025 at 05:52 PM.
Cargo Master
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From: Washington
So i tested the pickup. Only have continuity to ground on black wire. Ohms resistance between orange and purple is 623.
still only have spark when shut off ignition switch
None while cranking.
also I have 12 volts on the 2 wire plug on the red wire while in run position. Nothing on white. And also have 12 volts on the green wire in 4 wire plug.
still only have spark when shut off ignition switch
None while cranking.
also I have 12 volts on the 2 wire plug on the red wire while in run position. Nothing on white. And also have 12 volts on the green wire in 4 wire plug.
The 12 volts on the green wire must have been measured with the 4 wire plug disconnect.
Is the rotor turning?
Per the manual, you are supposed to be able to hit the distributor, near the pickup, with a screw driver handle. Each whack is supposed to produce a single spark. The HIT is supposed to SHOCK the magnetic pickup, and send the small voltage spike to the DS2 ingition module. If the test works, it proves the ignition module is OK.
Personally this seems a little magical , but it has been done by others.
You can also measure the gap, tooth to magnet. It's not adjustable, but to big of a gap and it won't work. Or if its rubbing , it won't work.
Jim
Last edited by JimsRebel; Dec 1, 2025 at 09:49 PM.
Cargo Master
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From: Washington
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,575
Likes: 209
From: Washington
Not sure if you tested at the distributor or ingition module.
You know that the ground is good, because the module is powering ON
Also, do a key ON , coil positive voltage test with everything connected in a RUN configuration. Should be about 6 to 8 volts.
Jim
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Cargo Master
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How did the whack a distributor test go?
Jim
Last edited by JimsRebel; Dec 1, 2025 at 09:50 PM.
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