Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

No spark

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-07-2016, 01:06 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
jdanna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No spark

I'm working on a 1989 Trans Am, 305 TPI that a buddy of mine just bought.
According to the previous owner it was running, then sat for about 3 months and now wont start.

the motor cranks, but wont start - even with starter fluid.
I've checked and I'm getting no spark on the plugs, or from the coil.

I've replaced the coil, and I've replaced the ignition module under the distributor cap.

I have 12v to the coil on the red wire, and the ignition fuse is fine.
ECM only shows a code 12 when jumpered to diagnostic mode

Where do i go next? Im thinking the pickup coil on the distributor (maybe just replace the entire distributor), but i dont want to pull that all apart if theres something else it could be.

Is there a way to test the pickup coil with the distributor still in the car?
Old 02-07-2016, 01:17 PM
  #2  
Senior Member

iTrader: (8)
 
antares57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Car: 91 Firebird/88 Firebird/91 Formula
Engine: V6 3.1/V8 5.0/V8 5.0
Transmission: 4L60/700R4/4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.73/2.73
Re: No spark

Welcome to the forums, noticed this is your first post. Wealth of info here. Please update your profile so that you won't have to keep typing it out. Also use the search function extensively. I have learned stuff here that I wasn't even looking for. Check out #5 on this thread, may help out. Good luck.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ol-module.html
Old 02-07-2016, 02:08 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (15)
 
Tibo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Desert
Posts: 5,025
Received 76 Likes on 66 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: No spark

Do you know what the fuel pressure is? If it is low it won't start. If the idle air control is of unknown age replacing that is wise IMO. You can check to make sure the Throttle position sensor is in the correct voltage and in turn it should mean that the throttle blades are open the correct amount.
Old 02-07-2016, 02:42 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
jdanna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: No spark

Originally Posted by Tibo
Do you know what the fuel pressure is? If it is low it won't start. If the idle air control is of unknown age replacing that is wise IMO. You can check to make sure the Throttle position sensor is in the correct voltage and in turn it should mean that the throttle blades are open the correct amount.
Would that effect spark for any reason? I've pulled a plug and checked, i have no spark on the coil or on the individual wires.
Old 02-07-2016, 03:37 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (15)
 
Tibo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Desert
Posts: 5,025
Received 76 Likes on 66 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: No spark

I'm sorry I missed the word "no" and just read have...spark
Old 02-07-2016, 04:04 PM
  #6  
Member
 
FormulasOnly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1989 Formula 350
Engine: 350
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3:23
Re: No spark

My ECM was giving me the "Everything's Good" Code 12 ... I had spark but no injector pulse ...
The 3 things to look at is the VATS system, the Pulse coil/pickup and the ECM under passenger side dash.
Old 02-07-2016, 07:20 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
jdanna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: No spark

Originally Posted by antares57
Welcome to the forums, noticed this is your first post. Wealth of info here. Please update your profile so that you won't have to keep typing it out. Also use the search function extensively. I have learned stuff here that I wasn't even looking for. Check out #5 on this thread, may help out. Good luck.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ol-module.html
That was exactly what I needed, thanks so much!

Tested the pickup coil as per the instructions and it was shot. I went ahead and replaced the entire distributor, because the old one was really ratty anyway.

Got it in and she fired right up!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jorgeblancojr
Tech / General Engine
5
01-17-2016 06:28 PM
chevyb
Exterior Parts for Sale
0
01-16-2016 07:56 PM
Golfvette
Interior Parts for Sale
0
01-15-2016 01:32 PM
JesasaurusRex
Organized Drag Racing and Autocross
1
01-11-2016 08:27 PM
Ezgoin28
Miscellaneous Third Gen Items!
0
01-10-2016 10:06 PM



Quick Reply: No spark



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:05 PM.