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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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ignition switch bad??

  • Thread starter Thread starter pudman
  • Start date Start date Mar 13, 2010

pudman

Member
May 31, 2008
109
0
16
tujunga,ca
Mar 13, 2010
#1
  • Mar 13, 2010
  • #1
86 gt mustang. so I'm sitting at a red light, and the car just died. tried restarting with no luck. fuel pump primes; engine cranks strong, but no go. I did the no spark no fuel test and concluded it is getting no spark. when I did the following test....
Place ignition key in on, with the 12-vdc test light connected to a good ground, probe the (+) terminal at the coil (Red/Lt Green wire)...test light off = usually an ignition switch or 20 GA fuse link problem....test light on = next step.

I get test light off. fuseable links are good. But with the key "on" I get all power
inside...fan,radio, etc. so my question is if the switch is bad in the "on" position wouldn't I end up with no power to the dash also? this is the original switch from 1986
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Mar 13, 2010
#2
  • Mar 13, 2010
  • #2
There are mulitple circuits in the ignition switch that power different things.

So yes you can dash lights and not have power at the coil or TFI. You could do a continuty check from the ignition switch to the coil and see what you get.
 

rd

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2000
3,316
63
109
Ocean Springs MS
Mar 14, 2010
#3
  • Mar 14, 2010
  • #3
The ignition switch itself is adjustable, up and down the column so that the key mechanism moves it the correct amount.

Not too hard to drop the column and check it.
 

pudman

Member
May 31, 2008
109
0
16
tujunga,ca
Mar 14, 2010
#4
  • Mar 14, 2010
  • #4
update

upon further investigation it turns out to be the MSD box. I didn't even think of it at the time. This will be the second one gone bad. I'll remember your suggestions for the next time
 
8

87AODGT

Founding Member
Jan 6, 2001
373
1
19
Toms River, NJ
Mar 15, 2010
#5
  • Mar 15, 2010
  • #5
I had 2 of those damn MSD boxes die on me, haven't had a problem since goin to the crane hi-6 but now they went out of business so if this thing ever goes bad its time to look for another reliable box
 

Saleen0679

10 Year Member
Apr 14, 2005
876
24
49
Yakima, WA
Mar 15, 2010
#6
  • Mar 15, 2010
  • #6
87AODGT said:
I had 2 of those damn MSD boxes die on me, haven't had a problem since goin to the crane hi-6 but now they went out of business so if this thing ever goes bad its time to look for another reliable box
Click to expand...

Crane Cams Under New Ownership
 
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