1990 Dodge Spirit no spark problem

DEACON2112

MEMBER
1990 DODGE SPIRIT
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
210,000 MILES

My 1990 dodge spirit will not start. The problem began on start up when the engine started briefly, then died after about 10 seconds. Subsequent attempts at starting failed. At first I thought it was a starter problem due to the tach not indicating any engine RPM during cranking like it did prior. After replacing the starter I found this was not the case, and the engine turns over but no power gets to the plugs. Engine does receive fuel. When I checked the power leads to the ignition coil my voltmeter indicated 11.4 volts. I have replaced the Hall effect module, but still nothing. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thursday, March 12th, 2009 AT 10:45 PM

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check the coil's primary and secondary winding resistance and the distributor pick-up coil

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Friday, March 13th, 2009 AT 6:11 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

Starter cranks the engine, so you replaced the starter? Hmm.

By "Hall effect module" do you mean the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) by the battery or the Hall Effect Pickup in the distributor? The pickup has a relatively high failure rate, and you already noticed one of the clues; the tach stays on "0". When the PCM sees engine rotation, either cranking or running, it turns on the Automatic Shutdown (ASD) relay. That relay sends battery voltage to the ignition coil, injector, and fuel pump or pump relay. Both the injector and the coil will not fire until pulses come from the pickup in the distributor.

If you already replaced that pickup, remove the distributor cap, then have someone crank the engine while you watch the rotor. If it doesn't spin, suspect a broken timing belt.

Caradiodoc

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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 7:55 PM