help needed with no spark

BeerElf

Founding Member

Oct 16, 2002

85

0

6

Hillsboro, OR

Aug 16, 2006

#1

• Aug 16, 2006

• #1

Car died when I came to the corner of my block. I heard a click or tick and then wouldn't restart. Pushed it back home and checked spark to the plugs and there was none. Then checked spark from the coil and none.

Also when trying to start the car the tac freaks out and spins backwards. I'm thinking it's either the coil or the computer.

Also tried disconecting the msd 6al and same thing.

Any suggestions on how to diagnose the problem?

-Craig

 

billison

I like tinted tail

15 Year Member

Feb 27, 2006

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Aug 16, 2006

#2

• Aug 16, 2006

• #2

i'd toss a coil in it and go from there, does it get power, find where the power stops and fix it

 

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists

Jul 11, 2003

480

0

17

Senoia, GA

Aug 16, 2006

#3

• Aug 16, 2006

• #3

TFI module, normally when they go they completely die and you will get no spark.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Aug 16, 2006

#4

• Aug 16, 2006

• #4

Check injector pulsing if you have a noid light (or an LED test light). The PIP came to mind for me.

Good luck.

 

BeerElf

Founding Member

Oct 16, 2002

85

0

6

Hillsboro, OR

Aug 17, 2006

#5

• Aug 17, 2006

• #5

PIP had died once in the past, but I also just put in a new msd distributor. So I don't think that or the TFI is it. Guess I can try a new coil.

Also just checked the codes. Got the following:

14 - Electronic Control Assembly (ECA) detected intermittent loss of PIP signal
18 - loss of tach signal to ECA
87 - fuel pump relay circuit failure - I can hear the FP running

 

BeerElf

Founding Member

Oct 16, 2002

85

0

6

Hillsboro, OR

Aug 17, 2006

#6

• Aug 17, 2006

• #6

HISSIN50 said:

Check injector pulsing if you have a noid light (or an LED test light).

Click to expand...

I don't have a noid or LED test light. only a volt meter and timing light. Any way to test the injectors without one?

 

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists

Jul 11, 2003

480

0

17

Senoia, GA

Aug 17, 2006

#7

• Aug 17, 2006

• #7

The codes indate a TFI or PIP failure. Im sticking with TFI, but it is very likely it could be the PIP. Just because its a new distributer doesn't mean the electronics on it are good. I've heard of people having problems with the TFI on MSD distributers.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Aug 17, 2006

#8

• Aug 17, 2006

• #8

BeerElf said:

I don't have a noid or LED test light. only a volt meter and timing light. Any way to test the injectors without one?

Click to expand...

You can try it with a simple old test light. If you dont have one, you really need one. They're like 3-7 bucks at the parts store. Harbor Freight puts them on sale for a buck all the time. The test light will do something if you have 12 volts and ground pulsing. If the test light is dead, chances are it's not picking anything up.

I'd ask if the click or tick sounded like it could be an electrical item popping (link burning, fuse blowing - that kind of sound)? I didnt know if it was that or just the starter trying to turn-over.

Good luck.

 

BeerElf

Founding Member

Oct 16, 2002

85

0

6

Hillsboro, OR

Aug 17, 2006

#9

• Aug 17, 2006

• #9

HISSIN50 said:

I'd ask if the click or tick sounded like it could be an electrical item popping (link burning, fuse blowing - that kind of sound)? I didnt know if it was that or just the starter trying to turn-over.

Click to expand...

The tick happened when the care was coming back to idle at a stop sign, so it was not the starter. At first I thought it might be a fuse, but I don't think it is unless it's one of the fusable links coming off the starter solenoid.

I'm going to pick up a test light and a coil tonight and see what happens from there.

Thanks!

Craig

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Aug 17, 2006

#10

• Aug 17, 2006

• #10

My bad - I misread and thought it ticked when you tried to restart.

Post up what you find from testing. A bad PIP (as well as a bad TFI) will also keep you from seeing a ground pulse at the coil (it should have key-on 12 volts). If you put a test light across the two coil terminals, the test light will flash super fast.

Good luck.

 

BeerElf

Founding Member

Oct 16, 2002

85

0

6

Hillsboro, OR

Aug 18, 2006

#11

• Aug 18, 2006

• #11

Well, did some more work last night and discovered that the new distributor seized and was not spinning! Guess that would cause no spark... Needless to say it's getting sent back today. Hopefully the next one will work better and I'm be back in business soon.

 

billison

I like tinted tail

15 Year Member

Feb 27, 2006

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Aug 18, 2006

#12

• Aug 18, 2006

• #12

that sucks

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Aug 18, 2006

#13

• Aug 18, 2006

• #13

How bad was the carnage? If the dizzy wasnt spinning when you cranked the motor, something had to give...........

 

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists

Jul 11, 2003

480

0

17

Senoia, GA

Aug 18, 2006

#14

• Aug 18, 2006

• #14

I would guess the cotter pin on the gear?

 

BeerElf

Founding Member

Oct 16, 2002

85

0

6

Hillsboro, OR

Aug 20, 2006

#15

• Aug 20, 2006

• #15

checkin it out tomorrow... will let ya know...