Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Lost spark when checking timing 94

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 12:12 PM
  #1  
jrlowscot's Avatar
jrlowscot
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Lost spark when checking timing 94

I was concerned my timing was off due to slightly low power. I removed the PIP spout connector started engine and saw timing looked good. Ran for about 1 minute then stumbled and stalled. Will not refire. The only thing I did was remove the PIP spout, what could have happened. I will be troubleshooting ignition system, but what could have happened? It has a newer aftermarket distributor with 7k miles on it.
94 5.0 auto

*Answer was Ignition Control Module went bad*
 

Last edited by jrlowscot; Jan 3, 2026 at 02:04 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 12:28 PM
  #2  
90project5.0's Avatar
90project5.0
Fleet Mechanic
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 373
You’ve put the spout back in and tried to start it? Aftermarket meaning “high performance? or stock replacement? When you checked it, 10*btdc? Did you loosen the hold down clamp? Did you touch anything else? Check battery connectors and ground wire from battery to core support.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 12:28 PM
  #3  
90project5.0's Avatar
90project5.0
Fleet Mechanic
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 373
Also, try pulling codes, see what it says.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 12:52 PM
  #4  
jrlowscot's Avatar
jrlowscot
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Pulled codes, none. I put spout connector back on and tried, nothing. I hadn’t touched anything else. Didn’t touch distributor or anything. I did disconnect and reconnect battery after to try but no result, fuel pump is running. Timing pointer was at mark on damper. Stock style probably China distributor installed by a shop for Previous owner (2 years ago) Thanks.
 

Last edited by jrlowscot; Dec 30, 2025 at 12:53 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 01:20 PM
  #5  
90project5.0's Avatar
90project5.0
Fleet Mechanic
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 373
Test light on negative coil wire and turn key, see if light blinks. That tells if pip is sending signal to coil. Auto or manual? If auto, take out of park and then put back?
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 02:06 PM
  #6  
rla2005's Avatar
rla2005
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,785
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by jrlowscot
Pulled codes, none.
At the very least you should have gotten the System Pass Code 11 for the KOEO tests and Stored Codes.



Originally Posted by jrlowscot
I did disconnect and reconnect battery after to try but no result, fuel pump is running.
As in running constantly with the key in the Run position?
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 03:53 PM
  #7  
jrlowscot's Avatar
jrlowscot
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Troubleshooting

[img alt="I went through the Haynes manual troubleshooting. I thought I had an issue, but I think the procedure is wrong. ICM voltage supply check with connected unplugged says I should have power on pins 3&4. I only have power on 3, but when plugged in I have on 4 also. I have same results at starter signal which would not allow cranking with ICM unplugged. Is this correct or is this my issue?
Codes state no codes found fast or slow. Didn’t troubleshoot PIP as I have no codes"]https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ford-trucks.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_3227_31f6fc72f16e06b5fbbff1f79ec51dc82d11e80c. jpeg[/img]
I went through the Haynes manual troubleshooting. I thought I had an issue, but I think the procedure is wrong. ICM voltage supply check with connected unplugged says I should have power on pins 3&4. I only have power on 3, but when plugged in I have on 4 also. I have same results at starter signal which would not allow cranking with ICM unplugged. Is this correct or is this my issue? Codes state no codes found fast or slow. Didn’t troubleshoot PIP as I have no codes
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 03:54 PM
  #8  
jrlowscot's Avatar
jrlowscot
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by rla2005
At the very least you should have gotten the System Pass Code 11 for the KOEO tests and Stored Codes.





As in running constantly with the key in the Run position?
no, fuel pump runs when turning on for a sec or two (like normal)
My test light is an LED so I can’t rely on the coil tach result. Coil resistance tested good, wire integrity coil to ICM good, ICM ground good.
 

Last edited by jrlowscot; Dec 30, 2025 at 03:58 PM.
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Brett Foote
story-2

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Brett Foote
story-6

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 03:57 PM
  #9  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,784
Likes: 2,422
Originally Posted by jrlowscot
Is this correct or is this my issue? Codes state no codes found fast or slow. Didn’t troubleshoot PIP as I have no codes
Before you get too far ahead of yourself, what are the answers to post #6?

EDIT:: I see we were typing at the same time. Fuel pump turns off after a couple seconds. You aren’t getting the system pass code as in the computer will not self test?
 

Last edited by My4Fordtrucks; Dec 30, 2025 at 03:59 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 04:13 PM
  #10  
90project5.0's Avatar
90project5.0
Fleet Mechanic
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 373
Power on pins 3 and 4 unplugged would be for grey ICM, you have a black (should anyways). I believe hope you tested was correct.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 04:14 PM
  #11  
Blurry94's Avatar
Blurry94
Moderator
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 71
From: Calhoun GA
Club FTE Gold Member
One way to check the ignition is to clamp the timing light CT around any one of the spark plug wires, and see if it still flashes when you crank it.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 05:04 PM
  #12  
jrlowscot's Avatar
jrlowscot
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
Before you get too far ahead of yourself, what are the answers to post #6?

EDIT:: I see we were typing at the same time. Fuel pump turns off after a couple seconds. You aren’t getting the system pass code as in the computer will not self test?
sorry, I can’t remember exactly what it says but it passes no active or stored codes both fast and slow tests.

I believe it is the black ICM mounted on fender.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 05:15 PM
  #13  
90project5.0's Avatar
90project5.0
Fleet Mechanic
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 373
Swap the fuel pump and ecm relays, just to see if it makes a difference. Listen to see if the fuel pump engages the same also.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 05:16 PM
  #14  
90project5.0's Avatar
90project5.0
Fleet Mechanic
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 373
Also, this hasn’t been asked yet… is the starter spinning when you turn the key or you getting nothing at all?
 
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2025 | 09:43 AM
  #15  
jrlowscot's Avatar
jrlowscot
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
So I believe it is down to ICM or ECM. Testing the ICM I am getting the correct 3-8vAC on pins 5 and 6 when cranking which says replace ICM. Because I am not receiving any error codes, and watching a couple YouTube videos, I have not ruled out the PCM. I will get a regular test light and probably replace the ICM. Next would be remove PCM and look for obvious circuit damage if ICM does not fix.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:09 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE