No spark

Tiny
DDG1976
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I have troubleshot the car as much as I can. The fuel pump engages (by having the ignition turned to the on position with my ear at the filler tube I can hear the hum of the pump). Pulled a plug wire and turned the engine over with the screwdriver in the plug wire near the car body, no spark. Pulled a plug and reinserted it into the plug wire and cranked the car, agian with no spark. Any deas on what could be wrong? I have also checked every fuse under the dash and under the hood.
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Friday, September 26th, 2008 AT 11:32 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Test for power at coil pack-if okay check the ignition control module/crankshaft position sensor.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2008 AT 4:22 AM
Tiny
DDG1976
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I put a new coil pack on it from autozone today, still no spark, how do I check for power at the coil pack, and how do I check the ignition control module/crank trigger? Keep in mind I have to seperate the upper and lower intake and remove the throttle body to even get to it.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2008 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the white and light blue wire at the coil-no power check the fuse no.10 20amp.

The other two you need to bring it in and get tested-
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Saturday, September 27th, 2008 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
DDG1976
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I ended up taking off the crank sensor, new one was only $12.99 so I figured I'd replace it anyway. That was the problem, car cranks and runs fine. Boy, they try thier best to hide those things don't they? Act of Congress just to get to it. Thanks for your help.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2008 AT 3:33 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You're welcome and thanks for the donation-The CPS plays a major role on distributing spark -it tells the computer what cylinder is ready to fire and in turn tells the igniton module to fire the coil.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2008 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
DDG1976
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I probably should have started with the CPS, because of a prior oil leak at the oil pressure sensor. It soaked that area of the block pretty good. Oh well, it has a brand new coil pack on it now, maybe no worries in that area for a while.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2008 AT 5:07 PM
Tiny
GARCIAS45
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
  • 191,000 MILES
I just put in head gaskets in my merc and I dont have any spark now could the mega fuse cause this and if not what step should I take to find the problem. What would cause no spark I have everything where it suppose to go so I feel I need gods help but I am no saint so please help. I spent everything on this head gasket and tools and parts I am running out of money and my mind.
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If the mega fuse was bad the car wouldn't turnover. Recheck for disconnected sensors etc. Then check fuses and relays in pic
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RANDY24FAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
I just got a 95 sable from my brother, it wont start he was told it needed a fuel pump so I droped the tank to change the pump and discovered that the fuel pump was good after futher investigation I found no spark to the plugs I was told the the fuel pump shuts down if the engine has no spark for safety reasons but I cant figure out why there is no spark any info would help. Thanks its a 3.8 6cyl digital dash. Thanks
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RANDY24FAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Should I be using a test light or a volt meter? Checked the pick up coil with the test light and nothing there
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOM WOOD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 MERCURY SABLE
Interior problem
1996 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

Relaced coil pack, engine still cranks still no spark whats next
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check for codes and pending codes
check fuses
suspect and replace crank sensor
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICHARD L KRUECKEBERG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
1994 Mercury Sable with 3.0L. Cranks but won't start. No spark. Ignition module tested bad at Autozone but replacement did not fix.
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
We need a lot more details and test results here.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine

requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on

specific components to work and some components are part of more than one

function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything

about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the

failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't

present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves

to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to

look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to

isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found,

check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found,

check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the

pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete

compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.

Go to this link: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 1990 MERCURY SABLE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
1990 Mercury Sable mileage: 96,000. Why don't I have any spark when I turn my engine over? My engine died on me, as if somebody just pulled the plug, when the car was still running.
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
Here are some things to have checked: 1. Check to see if the timing belt/chain has failed, 2. Check for ignition spark at spark plugs, 3. Check for fuel pressure, 4. Scan P.C.M. (Computer) for fault or error codes. The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)

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