No Spark
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: South Texas
No Spark
The title sums up my problem, no spark at the plugs. My truck is an '87 with the 2.3 and 5-speed.
My truck wouldn't start today so I checked a few things out to narrow down the problem. First I checked the fuel pressure, it was strong at 40 psi. Next I checked for spark at the ignition coil, it was ok. Finally I checked for spark at the spark plugs and there was none. I pulled off the distributor cap and rotor to clean them on the off chance it might be a moisture problem. Didn't do any good.
The plugs, cap and rotor are pretty new. The wires aren't but they checked out recently with a resistance test. The ignition module and coil are also both fairly new. The distributor itself is the original. Anyone know what else I should check out to find my problem?
My truck wouldn't start today so I checked a few things out to narrow down the problem. First I checked the fuel pressure, it was strong at 40 psi. Next I checked for spark at the ignition coil, it was ok. Finally I checked for spark at the spark plugs and there was none. I pulled off the distributor cap and rotor to clean them on the off chance it might be a moisture problem. Didn't do any good.
The plugs, cap and rotor are pretty new. The wires aren't but they checked out recently with a resistance test. The ignition module and coil are also both fairly new. The distributor itself is the original. Anyone know what else I should check out to find my problem?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: South Texas
Could this be a distributor related problem? Is there any way to test the distributor other than looking for spark? Any ideas or things I could try would be greatly appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ellington, Connecticut
Hi irishguyincc,
Does the truck crank over at all? If so take off dist. cap + observe rotor operation!
My timing belt on another vehicle, a 2.2, created this same symptom and costed me a weeks worth of bust-busting diagnostics!
OH! and also Hi Kenoo! Great Forum you got going on...Very Informative Info!!
Does the truck crank over at all? If so take off dist. cap + observe rotor operation!
My timing belt on another vehicle, a 2.2, created this same symptom and costed me a weeks worth of bust-busting diagnostics!
OH! and also Hi Kenoo! Great Forum you got going on...Very Informative Info!!
Last edited by crazypaw; Mar 26, 2006 at 08:18 PM.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: South Texas
As far as observing the rotor, will I just see it moving in its circle? What exactly would I be looking for. All the truck has done since the last time I drove it is sit for about two weeks. The timing should be ok, but it couldn't hurt to check again.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
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My money is on the TFI module as well. Of course you want to check for voltage at the coil and TFI module just to make sure you're not needlessly replacing parts.
Here is an article I use to test TFI modules that I come across.
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/3349/test.htm
If you ever go digging through junkyards, pick up a few spare TFI modules while you're there. Test them out and toss a good one in the glovebox along with a TFI module wrench. If your truck just starts running rough or won't start, it's better than having to call a tow.
Here is an article I use to test TFI modules that I come across.
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/3349/test.htm
If you ever go digging through junkyards, pick up a few spare TFI modules while you're there. Test them out and toss a good one in the glovebox along with a TFI module wrench. If your truck just starts running rough or won't start, it's better than having to call a tow.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 311
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From: Ellington, Connecticut
Hi irishguyincc,
The rotor is rotating...excellant!
The spark goes through the cap to the rotor and if there's no contact there will be no spark at the plugs > your situation!
And if the rotor dosen't hit the proper contact; to the proper plug inside the cap at the right time (timing) a no spark condition will occur!
Timing is still an issue here!
Good luck and keep up the feedback...everyone!
The rotor is rotating...excellant!
The spark goes through the cap to the rotor and if there's no contact there will be no spark at the plugs > your situation!
And if the rotor dosen't hit the proper contact; to the proper plug inside the cap at the right time (timing) a no spark condition will occur!
Timing is still an issue here!
Good luck and keep up the feedback...everyone!
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: South Texas
So I finally had time to mess with checking out the TFI module, and had some strange results. First I took it to Autozone and had it tested. They said it was fine. Just for fun I decided to take it to O'reilly's and have them test it. Their machine said it was bad. Odd result. Since the part had a lifetime warranty (from Autozone) I made them replace it anyhow. I put in the new module but it didn't have any effect. Truck still won't start.
So if the ignition module, coil, wires, cap, rotor and plugs are all good what else could it be? I have spark coming from the coil to the distributor, but no spark from the distributor to the plugs. Any other ideas for me?
So if the ignition module, coil, wires, cap, rotor and plugs are all good what else could it be? I have spark coming from the coil to the distributor, but no spark from the distributor to the plugs. Any other ideas for me?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
It could be a wire or harness connector issue, too.
http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/dec2002/techtotech.cfm
http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/dec2002/techtotech.cfm
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: South Texas
Thanks for posting that article Rockledge, very informative.
I've checked wires and they all seem ok. What is really dumbfounding me is that the coil is firing, but the plugs are not. If there were big wiring issues, if the PIP or TFI were bad, would the coil still be firing? I admit I'm not completely familiar with exactly how the ignition sytem works. Do either the PIP or TFI handle actual spark to the plugs, or do they only trigger the coil to fire? I guess just for fun I'll check the PIP for 'softness' as the article suggested. Couldn't hurt.
I've checked wires and they all seem ok. What is really dumbfounding me is that the coil is firing, but the plugs are not. If there were big wiring issues, if the PIP or TFI were bad, would the coil still be firing? I admit I'm not completely familiar with exactly how the ignition sytem works. Do either the PIP or TFI handle actual spark to the plugs, or do they only trigger the coil to fire? I guess just for fun I'll check the PIP for 'softness' as the article suggested. Couldn't hurt.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ellington, Connecticut
Originally Posted by Rockledge
Oh yea, still here. 
P.S. Does "Cow-Country" happen to be up in Storrs?
P.S. Does "Cow-Country" happen to be up in Storrs?
there also becoming scarce too fellow Connecticutian!
You helped me troubleshoot the EVR on my Ranger a while ago along w/ stepman and kenoo.
Where's your roost? How's TRS doin'?
Moderators: Not tring to tie up this post w/ non-relevancies!
Last edited by crazypaw; Apr 6, 2006 at 06:04 AM.
