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Engine Ignition issue test light question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rick1992
  • Start date Start date May 29, 2025
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    ignition coil
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Rick1992

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1992 mustang GT 5.0 with MSD distributor. A question I think or hope will get answered quick. When I set up my test light on the driver side of the coil and crank the car I dont get the dimming light I actually lose the light. Changed coil and tfi amd was intermittent now it’s constant. My question is where can I start looking now that I know that test light isn’t dimming when I crank but going out completely.
 

Noobz347

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I would be looking at that MSD distributor. It's a suspect, right out of the box.
 
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Rick1992

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Really, so that would have say in not getting incandescent test light to flicker when cranking ? Because when I stall my spark tester on the coil plug I get mothering but I do have a 12vokts to the passenger side of the coil
 

Noobz347

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Well yeah. The distributor is what trips the coil to fire.


Why did you change the coil and TFI?
 
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Rick1992

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I was just trying to hit the easy stuff before getting into the thick of it thats all. What distributor do you recommend because I’m hearing horror stories about MSD!
 

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Rick1992 said:
I was just trying to hit the easy stuff before getting into the thick of it thats all. What distributor do you recommend because I’m hearing horror stories about MSD!
Click to expand...

An OEM one. Look on E-bay, etc. If you can find one rebuilt with NOS parts, great!

If not, get a used one and rebuild it yourself. If you have your OEM distributor, you can track down parts to rebuild that one.

Aftermarket distributors for these cars do not have a great reputation.
 
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Rick1992

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Noobz347 said:
An OEM one. Look on E-bay, etc. If you can find one rebuilt with NOS parts, great!

If not, get a used one and rebuild it yourself. If you have your OEM distributor, you can track down parts to rebuild that one.

Aftermarket distributors for these cars do not have a great reputation.
Click to expand...
So what do you think about these remanufactured ones on eBay?
 

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Noobz347

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Rick1992 said:
So what do you think about these remanufactured ones on eBay?
Click to expand...

I have not tried that specifically. All I can say is that if I were looking for one right now, I would probably give it a shot.

Even if it shows up bad... You can still replace the faulty parts.

Just be sure that it has the [steel] gear on it for your roller 302.

Also....


That does not appear to have the TFI on it. So, you're going to need some thermal paste.

Also... I think you currently have two TFI, is that correct? If either of them are OEM, that is the one I would use. Otherwise... doesn't matter.
 
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Rick1992

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Noobz347 said:
I have not tried that specifically. All I can say is that if I were looking for one right now, I would probably give it a shot.

Even if it shows up bad... You can still replace the faulty parts.

Just be sure that it has the [steel] gear on it for your roller 302.

Also....


That does not appear to have the TFI on it. So, you're going to need some thermal paste.

Also... I think you currently have two TFI, is that correct? If either of them are OEM, that is the one I would use. Otherwise... doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
Ok man will do and thanks a lot for the help appreciate it!
 

Noobz347

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Rick1992 said:
Ok man will do and thanks a lot for the help appreciate it!
Click to expand...

Yeppers. Good luck with it and come back to let us know how it went!
 
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Rick1992

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Hey quick question I just bought the car and it def has work to it from what I can tell it’s got afr heads a cam bored out to a 5.4 so would that matter for distributor purposes? Not sure if he installed a MSD distributor and msd box (which isn’t hooked up) for a reason
 

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Rick1992 said:
Hey quick question I just bought the car and it def has work to it from what I can tell it’s got afr heads a cam bored out to a 5.4 so would that matter for distributor purposes? Not sure if he installed a MSD distributor and msd box (which isn’t hooked up) for a reason
Click to expand...

Nope. And I wouldn't use that MSD box either.
 

Noobz347

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Of all of the things you could improve on a Fox, the ignition system is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down at the bottom.

Most of "upgrades" that you can get in this regard are Chinesium garbage.
 
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Rick1992

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Ok found a original in good shape thanks again.
 

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Noobz347

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Nice. It's got a Motorcraft TFI too.
 

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If the MSD box is old (read 15+ years) shouldn’t be an issue. I have them on my Foxes and zero issues. The later ones seem to have made overseas and/or with subpar electronics.

The MSD TFI distributors are super nice mechanically but the electronics are garbage. I would just put a Ford TFI and PIP on it and use it but that’s me. I will say I run a stock distributor with Ford electronics and it works and has worked for 20+ years. The other car has an MSD on it but it’s a carbureted car so totally different.
 
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Rick1992

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So i ordered that original distributor on eBay but wont get it for awhile so I had to see if that was it. I went to AutoZone and bought the 100 buck duralast one and installed it. Well ahe fired right up! So it looks like it was the msd distributor all along and not coils or tfi’s. Really do appreciate the help and look forward to installing the original motocradt one soon
 
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Noobz347

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Well, at least it lived up to its name.


May
Suddenly
Die

 
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Rick1992

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Ha well thanks again for the help!
 
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