I have an 89 formula… the other day as I was coming to a stop, it stopped dead. Then when I tried to start it, it cranked but wouldn’t start, there was no spark, and the throttle body injectors weren’t injecting. I was going to replace the ignition module but I did need an entire distributor so I bought an assembly, (inclusive of the module), put that in and got nothing. So the next thing I tried was the ignition coil… replaced that still nothing. So after checking some wires, and fuses, I decided to get a new engine control computer… yeah, that didn’t work either. I was really running out of ideas and no one around here has a fricken clue about electronics on cars… no one. So I was looking through the manual and found a sensor called an electronic spark control… long story short, $75 dollars later im still lost. I checked the fuseable links, and they are good, even though it wouldn’t really make sense that it would be one of those. Ive checked all the wires that I could think of. Im $300 dollars in the hole and my car still doesn’t run. Today I went to GM and he said ignition module right away when I told him the problem… im replacing it with a GM one tomorrow, but if that’s not it, Im fricken out of ideas. Is there any sensors that im missing that would do that? Oh yeah, I did replace the ignition switch 2 years ago and RARELY use my tilt, so its probably not that. Was I just stupid for going to autozone and got crappy parts, or am I missing something here?
Please help me before im broke. Anything?
thanks tons

The yellowdart

 

I have an 89 formula… the other day as I was coming to a stop, it stopped dead. Then when I tried to start it, it cranked but wouldn’t start, there was no spark, and the throttle body injectors weren't injecting
There is your problem, can't start without fuel. Start your trouble shooting there, not the coil. Pull a plug and check for spark just to make sure.

 

acctallly, it turned out to be that fricken ignition moduel that i got from autozone, after i found the problem, everyone told me that autozones electrical crap is bad news. grrr... autozone lost alot of buisness from me. if i would have bought the $60 GM module in the first place... i would have saved more than $300. the module controls gas and spark, thats why it wasnt running, sparking, or injecting, AAAAAHHH. to top off all that crap that i went through, after i got it going, my starter went to hell from all the cranking to see if the damn thing was working. yeah, another $70. no, dont worry, i didnt buy my starter from autozone. its a delco, i learned my lesson, now i know, i hope everyone else saves them selves the money and buys a quality part. save your self the hell.

 

well everything i bought is delco

 

well, i dont think its the ignition module because if that was the problem the car would not be running, is there anyone else that has this same problem cuz it is very stressful when it leaves u stranded everyday.

 

well, it sounds like you are having the same problem... or i dont get it? if you are, replace your module one more time... if its not that, you can always check all your wires... but i was looking on one of these web sites and someone said that thier VATS shut off their spark and gas... but the car still cranked... so maybe it could be that...
if you were refering to my car... it was absolutly a bad part from autozone.. i put that new GM part in and ( aside from my now burnt out starter) it started right up.

later


-quality parts are worth the money.

 

yes, i understand that delco parts are better but the thing is that i do get gas cuz the i hear the fuel pump prime but the starter does not crank, so what i did was but a toggle switch to the silanoid and the to an empty slot in the fuse box that goes to the ignition. and for some miracle the car starts that way when the car is hot. but it wont start with the ignition switch when its warm, to be honest i would like to find out what is wrong so i dont have to use the toggle switch.

 

If you can start your car with a toggle switch to the solenoid, that rules out several possible problems. It rules out a no spark problem. It rules out no fuel problem. The possible places to look are 1: ignition switch, 2: neutral safety switch/clutch safety switch, 3: fusible links.

Start with the fusible links. Make sure they are good. If ok, make sure the neutral/clutch switch is good by jumping them. Then concentrate on the ignition switch. I have no experience with the VATS so I cannot help anybody there.