I6 Fails To Spark!
08-23-2008, 11:17 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I6 Fails To Spark!
Ok, so I have a 1980 Ford F150 4x4 shortbox with a mystery newer motor, (fuel injected inline 6, I think a '90) - was driving it the other day and it just dies. Will not start - turns over, but sounds like no spark or no gas. Checked to make sure the fuel pump reset switch wasn't triggered, seems like it's getting fuel. (Pulled the 1st filter coming out of the gas tank, plenty of fuel coming out both ends, and no luck getting even a single detonation when I spray starter fluid directly into the airbox past the air filter)
I think it's the spark - juice is going into the coil, but nothing is coming out and going to the distributor cap. Definitely nothing getting to the plugs. The rotor and cap seem fine, points look ok. So I pull the coil, throw a new one in there - now my tester doesn't light up when I'm holding it directly on the coil-to-cap, but sparks faintly as I'm pulling it away. ?? Weird - the guy at the autoparts store said if it's not the coil, 80% of the time it's the "power control module" - which is located on the bottom of the distributor -
My question needs a two part answer - 1 - does this sound right? I found what I think he's talking about - (the power control module) - looks like a doodad with a multiprong plug bolted to the bottom of the distributor -
2 - How the $*&Y! do I get the darn thing off? The bolt holding it to the distributor is set deep into a housing - I need a super skinny female hex arrangement, have gone to three tool stores and tried about 8 different deep socket arrangements with no luck. Am I totally off base here?
I've been looking on these forums for a bit, and can't find mention of a "power control module" - did see something about pulling the injectors to see if they're spritzing gas, I will try that tomorrow - in the meantime, anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Let me know, I've hit the wall!
I think it's the spark - juice is going into the coil, but nothing is coming out and going to the distributor cap. Definitely nothing getting to the plugs. The rotor and cap seem fine, points look ok. So I pull the coil, throw a new one in there - now my tester doesn't light up when I'm holding it directly on the coil-to-cap, but sparks faintly as I'm pulling it away. ?? Weird - the guy at the autoparts store said if it's not the coil, 80% of the time it's the "power control module" - which is located on the bottom of the distributor -
My question needs a two part answer - 1 - does this sound right? I found what I think he's talking about - (the power control module) - looks like a doodad with a multiprong plug bolted to the bottom of the distributor -
2 - How the $*&Y! do I get the darn thing off? The bolt holding it to the distributor is set deep into a housing - I need a super skinny female hex arrangement, have gone to three tool stores and tried about 8 different deep socket arrangements with no luck. Am I totally off base here?
I've been looking on these forums for a bit, and can't find mention of a "power control module" - did see something about pulling the injectors to see if they're spritzing gas, I will try that tomorrow - in the meantime, anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Let me know, I've hit the wall!
08-23-2008, 11:46 PM
#2
Welcome to the site! That thing he is talking about is the ignition control module. It can be tested at the parts store. Also at the parts store is an ignition control module removal tool. That is what you need to get it off, it looks like a **** with a socket at the end.
