My dad drove it home after dropping me off at CSUN and he had the car die on him twice before getting home, he was able to start it on the road, but when he got home, it would crank but it just wouldn't start. Fuel pump seems to be engaging, battery is ok, alternator is good. What else would cause it to go bad?? He suspects it has something to do witht he ignition system. Is there a way to test the coil and the ignition module in the dist. while its in the car? How can I tell if its getting any spark at all?

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Stock 2.8 MPFI auto w/ Flowmaster 80 Series, More to come......
Pioneer DEH-11
Targa E-910 7-Band Equalizer w/ crossover
2x 10" Pioneer subs powered by 300 Watt Jensen amp
2- 6x9" Pioneer (rear)
More to come..... (hey, i dont got a job yet)

 

Private email me... ill see if i can get to ur house tomorrow.

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1972 Chevy Malibu
Hooker Headers, Flowmaster 40 series mufflers, accel 8.8 wires,Edelbrock performer intake Edelbrock Carb, Torque Thrust "D" wheels
Click here for my Malibu information
In Memory of #3 Dale Earnhardt

 

For the benefit of all.....

You can test spark two ways; with a paperclip, or screwdriver. With the car off, take pull a spark plug wire off a plug. Put a paper clip into the plug boot, and lay the boot on the car so the clip is "almost" touching the metal body/frame of the car (yes, it can be painted). Then, crank the engine. You should see a spark jump from the clip to the metal.

With the screwdriver, you do the same thing (screwdriver end into the plug boot). But, it can be easier to get the screwdriver "near" a piece of metal (the handle acts as a support, as opposed to the paper clip just balancing in mid-air).

Buy/rent/borrow a fuel pressure gauge. If your fuel pressure is in spec (42 PSI when key turned "on", engine not running), then you can eliminate the whole fuel system. (Fuel system = fuel pump/filter/pressure regulator/hoses/injectors/relay/wiring/etc)


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Well there's no spark, we checked it last night, cranked it w/ the #4 cyl (drivers middle) spark plug boot removed and no spark. Now its probably ignition related. Either coil or spark module in the dist, correct? (I wish I had replaced the spark module in the dist when I did the O-ring)

The coil looks impossible to remove. Any advice?

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Stock 2.8 MPFI auto w/ Flowmaster 80 Series, More to come......
Pioneer DEH-11
Targa E-910 7-Band Equalizer w/ crossover
2x 10" Pioneer subs powered by 300 Watt Jensen amp
2- 6x9" Pioneer (rear)
More to come..... (hey, i dont got a job yet)

 

UPDATE: The distributor cap inside was all corroded. Went out and bought a new Borg-Warner rotor & cap. Need to borrow a timing gun because the distributor came loose. Thanx newayz