Ignition Help Needed

[Levitan]

I've pm'd a couple members, but thought I'd throw this out to the rest of you for any and all help.

I have a '93 auto motor that a guy could not start. I pulled the coil wire out of the distributor, and HAVE spark coming out of the coil wire. I plugged it back in, removed the number 1 wire from the spark plug, I have NO spark. So, I figured the distributor had gone bad. I have a distributor that came off a motor that threw a rod out the side of the block. Now, I realize assuming is not good, but I assumed the distributor is good. I installed the "new" distributor and came up with the same results, no spark coming from the distributor. Now I can remove a known good distributor from a running car out in the back covered in snow, but was wondering if I am doing something wrong or if there is another component that I am not thinking of, that could be bad? Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance,
Dan "Levitan"

[freshtiva]

Didnt you have this same problem awhile back ?

[Levitan]

That was a carbed car. Ended up being the distributor. So, though this is an efi, I figured it was the same problem, that's why I swapped the distributor. I have all the notes I accumulated for the testing of coil and whatnot for carbed, but am not sure how to convert it over to or apply it to the efi components. I'm reviewing the Engine/Emissions - Diagnosis 1990 Shop Manual (which you told me about Fresh) hoping to discover some things for this '93.

[milehighbear]

are you using the same distributor cap when doing both distributors

[FB71]

if you have spark, you have a good dizzy. The module in the dizzy is what tells the ECM to fire the coil. You have a secondary ignition (High voltage side) problem. Milehighbear has a great question. If you're using the same cap, that's your answer. Caps can get carbon tracks impregnated into the inside, providing a ground path with less resistance than the plug and wire. Replace the cap and rotor and wires with a set from a running car for verification.

[Levitan]

I feel like a dummy. I swapped the cap and rotor and HAVE spark. MHB was correct, I was using the same cap and rotor off of the motor that would not start.

So, now I have spark to the plugs, the car hasn't started yet, but am closer. Before I ask for any more help, I'm going to swap plugs. That way I'll have everything new, cap, rotor, wires, and plugs.

[FB71]

I feel like a dummy.

hey, super models are known for their looks, not their brains!!!

[festivaWES]

Do you have fuel dan??