Cant get car to run - no spark

Tiny
90SUPRA
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 MERCURY CAPRI
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 96,000 MILES
I have been working on this car for a while. I got it free for a daily and all it needed was to be fixed. Was not running when I received it. Car turns over with no problem. Getting spark and fuel but no fire. The spark is orange. It seems like the car is flooding out but not sure. Backfire while cranking every now and then. I got a head off another cause my valves looked like they were not seating but that didn't fix it. The car is in time and still. I cannot figure it out. Also got a used ecm off parts car. Please help.
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 4:59 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
The spark is weak, weather it's the coil, or the TFI module...should have a strong blue spark.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
90SUPRA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have a parts car and it was running when it wrecked. I got the dizzy off it, ignitor, head assembly, ect. I also bought new spark plugs. Do you still think its low spark?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If its orange it is.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
90SUPRA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay. First I will try the TFI on the dizzy. But if its the ignitor then I'm pitching the car. I already tried 2 ignitors also. I have too many projects as it is.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 5:21 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/car_cranks_but_wont_start.htm
Go here for in depth troubleshooting advice for your condition!
Put wrong link up sorry! Try this one...
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 4th, 2008 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
DAVE53
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 MERCURY CAPRI
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
I have no fire out of the coil to the distributor(hi tension) There is power to the coil and out of the coil(from ignition key in on and start position) I have replaced the coil with a new one$$$$$$$$$.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum, I looked at 1.6 non turbo. With coil primary voltage both positive and negative will be hot with the key on. Engine cranking, the negative side should have a pulse, no pulse, check pickup coil in distributor. The ignition module may be attached to the distributor, that module is possibility.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BSLICKER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1991 MERCURY CAPRI
Electrical problem
1991 Mercury Capri 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I have recently had a problem with lower spark about 5 months ago, replaced coil car worked very good till about 3 weeks ago. Then the car started out fine and then after a while after driving the car would shut down, I would pull over and the car would start, but once rpm got over 1.5 the car would shut down. After a few times doing this the car would then run fine for a while again, and then do this all over. Until finally one day it wouldn't do that so I check coil spark no spark. Replaced didn't help, replaced the ignition contol module, didn't help, Was told by ford dealership it was the pcm (main computer) so ok replaced that still no spark from coil. At witt's end with this problem, I have all the books and repair manuel's. One forum said camshaft senor, which I can not seem to find. Ordered the distributor coil ignitor should be in today. I see some schematic with a ballast resistor wire, no books tell me where that is either. If your fix does fix this I will gladly donate, but this is eating me up with people looking at it and parts with cash, so help if you can please.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The only thing you haven't check is the distributor pick-up coil-you're getting a new distributor is this correct? If so its contained within-

The resistor wire powers the coil-check the coil positive terminal for battery voltage, none found the wire is open-the wire purposes is to reduce the voltage to prevent the coil from burning up-
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BSLICKER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I am not getting the whole distir. Just the pick-up coil inside the distr. Which should be in today I hope. I'll know in about a hr. I can give another update after I put that in hopefully this afternoon.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BSLICKER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Well got the part in and replaced insiide the distr. That did not work, still no spark from the coil to the cap
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
PICK-UP COIL
Check continuity of pick-up coil. If continuity exists, replace igniter unit. If continuity does not exist, replace pick-up coil.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE2KIM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 MERCURY CAPRI
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 102,000 MILES
No fuel or spark when hot it cools down ist's fine
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Have your crankshaft position sensor tested
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_fuel_injection_pressure.htm

go here to test fuel pressure
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related No Spark Content

Ignition Spark Check
GUIDE
Ignition Spark Check
An engine's ignition system is responsible for igniting the fuel-air mixture inside the combustion chamber and when the ignition process stops the engine will not run....