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Car wont fire -- GOING TO CRY

  • Thread starter Thread starter JMD Engineering
  • Start date Start date Jun 9, 2006
J

JMD Engineering

New Member
Dec 8, 2004
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Northern VA
Jun 9, 2006
#1
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #1
This is how the story goes - Just got done installing engine, tried to crankover last night.. no start. I figured it wouldnt start upon first try, so I checked the essentials. There was plenty of fuel, checked timing - it was off. So i repositioned the distributor (properly, i checked) and cranked again. No start. I realized i forgot to check the spark, so I pulled a wire and cranked - no spark. I then took a test light to the surronding components (MSD Dig 6/MSD TFI blaster coil) The everything had power.. but the car would NOT spark. My neighbor, a trusted mechanic said the coil might be bad, but we didnt rule out the Dig 6 being messed up. So we took out the Dig 6 adapter plug and plug the stock plug that originially went into the top of the old coil and plugged it into the blaster coil. still no spark. could the blaster coil be defective ? im planning on buying a stock one, and running that through to see if it might work ?

Im so ridiculously frustrated right now and want to blow the car to 100 pieces. someone please stop me.

Engine specs:
347, Dig 6 ignit, MSD Blaster TFI, MSD 8.5 wires, autolite 3924 plugs, adjus FPR, 255 walbro pump, Trackheat heads/intake, FTI custom cam, accufab 70mm TB, 30# injec, PMAS 75mm MAF (calib for 30#).
 

FORCED2DV8

New Member
Jun 6, 2005
458
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Grand Rapids MI
Jun 9, 2006
#2
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #2
I have had msd coils and there ignition control boxes go bad before, Like you said try swapping out components to see where the problem is. Make sure of your gounds and other wiring connections.... Are you getting signal to the msd box or the factory ignition?? If it has no signal then you will never have any spark...
 
J

JMD Engineering

New Member
Dec 8, 2004
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Northern VA
Jun 9, 2006
#3
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #3
FORCED2DV8 said:
I have had msd coils and there ignition control boxes go bad before, Like you said try swapping out components to see where the problem is. Make sure of your gounds and other wiring connections.... Are you getting signal to the msd box or the factory ignition?? If it has no signal then you will never have any spark...
Click to expand...

I DO have a signal to the old factory ignition, and when I had the MSD hooked up - I had one as well. everything is grounded (to block/head/neg cable). the blaster coil is BRANDNEW out of the box, so I was suprised as to it not working.
 

FORCED2DV8

New Member
Jun 6, 2005
458
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Grand Rapids MI
Jun 9, 2006
#4
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #4
Yeah thats weird, are the coil wires on right, + and - . I am not too familiar with the dig 6 box, ( I usually use 6al or similiar) but I have had them be bad,
even with power ground and good signal, theres still no spark.. But the stock stuff should still work, IF you rehook up everything again, Theres only so many parts in the iginition system.. good luck
 
J

JMD Engineering

New Member
Dec 8, 2004
102
0
0
Northern VA
Jun 9, 2006
#5
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #5
FORCED2DV8 said:
Yeah thats weird, are the coil wires on right, + and - . I am not too familiar with the dig 6 box, ( I usually use 6al or similiar) but I have had them be bad,
even with power ground and good signal, theres still no spark.. But the stock stuff should still work, IF you rehook up everything again, Theres only so many parts in the iginition system.. good luck
Click to expand...

i did rehook everything, first time around. MSD makes it so easy its ridiculous. i bought this (below) harness from them so all installation is - is plug and play.
 

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RaceDvr50

New Member
Jul 26, 2005
121
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0
Coon Rapids
Jun 9, 2006
#6
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #6
What did you do with your stock coil? If you have checked for voltage going into the coil when you're cranking then it should be the coil. If you're just trouble shooting any coil would work, just positive / negative so run some wires over to another car with a coil and see if that coil fires or grab one from the junkyard.
 
J

JMD Engineering

New Member
Dec 8, 2004
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Northern VA
Jun 9, 2006
#7
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #7
RaceDvr50 said:
What did you do with your stock coil? If you have checked for voltage going into the coil when you're cranking then it should be the coil. If you're just trouble shooting any coil would work, just positive / negative so run some wires over to another car with a coil and see if that coil fires or grab one from the junkyard.
Click to expand...

actually - i chucked the old coil so im going to pickup an OEM one today and see how that goes. i hate life :/
 
B

brothergoat5

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Sep 11, 2005
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Jun 9, 2006
#8
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #8
I wouldnt suggest probing on the coil for power with the MSD box hooked up to the system. The box is putting over 400v to the coil positive. Have you tried checking for spark?

http://www.msdignition.com/1troub1.htm
 

96SVTpilot

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Mar 10, 2006
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Spanaway, WA
Jun 9, 2006
#9
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #9
Did you install new heads / rockers / cam, etc? I recently had a similiar problem, turned out I had the valves adjusted too tight and had zero compression. The starter would just turn the motor over and that was it.
 
J

JMD Engineering

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Dec 8, 2004
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Jun 9, 2006
#10
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #10
96SVTpilot said:
Did you install new heads / rockers / cam, etc? I recently had a similiar problem, turned out I had the valves adjusted too tight and had zero compression. The starter would just turn the motor over and that was it.
Click to expand...

Rick actually built the shortblock, so im not concerned as of that. my main concern is spark. did you have an issue with your spark by chance ?
 

jrichker

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Cranks OK, but No Start Checklist for Fuel Injected Mustangs

1.) Remove push on connector from starter solenoid and turn ignition switch on. Place car in neutral or Park and set the parking brake. Remove the coil wire from distributor & and hold it 3/8” away from the engine block. Jumper the screw to the big bolt on the starter solenoid that has the battery wire connected to it. You should get a nice fat blue spark.
Most of the items are electrical in nature, so a test light, or even better, a voltmeter, is helpful to be sure they have power to them.
No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) MSD or Crane ignition box if so equipped
B.) Coil
C.) TFI module
D.) PIP sensor in distributor
E.) ECC relay next to computer - look for 12 volts at the fuel injector red wires
F.) Fuse links in wiring harness - look for 12 volts at the fuel injector red wires. All the fuse links live in a bundle up near the starter solenoid.
G.) Ignition switch - look for 12 volts at the ignition coil red/lt green wire.
H.) Computer

See the following links for wiring diagrams...

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/16/71/3c/0900823d8016713c.jsp for 79-88 model cars
Computer/fuel pump/ignition wiring diagram, 86 model http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80167158.gif
Computer/fuel pump/ignition wiring diagram, 87 model http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d8016715e.gif
Computer/fuel pump/ignition wiring diagram, 88 model http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80167162.gif

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/19/59/5a/0900823d8019595a.jsp for 89-93 model cars
Computer/fuel pump/ignition wiring diagram, 89-90 cars http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d8019595f.gif
Computer/fuel pump/ignition wiring diagram, 91-93 cars
http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195960.gif

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1d/db/3c/0900823d801ddb3c.jsp for 94-98 model cars


2.) Spark at coil wire, pull #1 plug wire off at the spark plug and check to see spark. No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Moisture inside distributor – remove cap, dry off & spray with WD40
B.) Distributor cap
C.) Rotor
D.) Spark Plug wires
E.) Coil weak or intermittent - you should see 3/8" fat blue spark with a good coil

3.) Spark at spark plug, but no start.
Next, get a can of starting fluid (ether) from your local auto parts store: costs a $1.30 or so. Then pull the air duct off at the throttle body elbow, open the throttle, and spray the ether in it. Reconnect the air duct and try to start the car. Do not try to start the car without reconnecting the air duct.
Two reasons:
1.) If it backfires, the chance for a serious fire is increased.
2.) On Mass Air cars, the computer needs to measure the MAF flow once the engine starts.
If it starts then, you have a fuel management issue. Continue the checklist with emphasis of fuel related items that follow. If it doesn’t, then it is a computer or timing issue: see Step 4.

Clue – listen for the fuel pump to prime when you first turn the ignition switch on. It should run for 5-20 seconds and shut off. To trick the fuel pump into running, find the ECC test connector and jump the connector in the Upper RH corner to ground.


If the relay & inertia switch are OK, you will have power to the pump. Check fuel pressure – remove the cap from the schrader valve behind the alternator and depress the core. Fuel should squirt out, catch it in a rag. Beware of fire hazard when you do this. In pinch you can use a tire pressure gauge to measure the fuel pressure. It may not be completely accurate, but you will have some clue as to how much pressure you have.

No fuel pressure, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Tripped inertia switch – Coupe & hatch cars hide it under the plastic trim covering the driver's side taillight. Use the voltmeter or test light to make sure you have power to both sides of the switch
B.) Fuel pump power relay – located under the driver’s seat in most stangs built before 92. On 92 and later model cars it is located below the Mass Air Flow meter. Look for 12 volts at the Pink/Black wire on the fuel pump relay.
C.) Clogged fuel filter
D.) Failed fuel pump
E.) Blown fuse link in wiring harness. Look for 12 volts at the Orange/Lt Blue wire on the fuel pump relay. The fuse links live in the wiring harness near the starter solenoid.
F.) Fuel pressure regulator failed. Remove the vacuum line from the regulator and inspect for fuel escaping while the pump is running.

Fuel pressure OK, the injectors are not firing.

A.) A Noid light available from Autozone, is one way to test the injector wiring.
B.) I like to use an old injector with compressed air applied to the injector where the fuel rail would normally connect. I hook the whole thing up, apply compressed air to the injector and stick it in a paper cup of soapy water. When the engine cranks with the ignition switch on, if the injector fires, it makes bubbles. Cheap if you have the stuff laying around, and works good too.

a.) Pull an injector wire connector off and look for 12 volts on the red wire when the ignition switch is on.
b.) No power, then look for problems with the 10 pin connecter (salt & pepper shakers at the rear of the upper manifold).
c.) No power and the 10 pin connections are good: look for broken wiring between the orange/black wire on the ECC relay and the red wire for the 10 pin connectors.


4.) Spark & fuel pressure OK.

A.) Failed IAB (no airflow to start engine). Press the throttle ¼ way down and try to start the car.
B.) Failed computer (not very likely)
C.) Engine ignition or cam timing off: only likely if the engine has been worked on recently).
D.) Firing order off: HO & 351 use a different firing order from the non HO engines.
HO & 351W 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Non HO 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
E.) No start when hot - Press the throttle to the floor & try starting it if you get this far. If it starts, replace the ECT.
 

RaceDvr50

New Member
Jul 26, 2005
121
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0
Coon Rapids
Jun 9, 2006
#12
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #12
96SVTpilot said:
Did you install new heads / rockers / cam, etc? I recently had a similiar problem, turned out I had the valves adjusted too tight and had zero compression. The starter would just turn the motor over and that was it.
Click to expand...


My buddy did that once with his Monte Carlo. He came and got me cause it wouldn't fire so I had him turn it over. It made a funny howl and I knew what he'd done so laughed at him then I adjusted his valves.
 
8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member
Dec 20, 2004
4,265
12
69
B.C. Canada
Jun 9, 2006
#13
  • Jun 9, 2006
  • #13
no chance you just have the dizzy out 180 degree's?
 
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