[al010101]

Alright i just got this ford escort, it's a 1988 escort gt. the previous owner replaced the plugs, wires, rotor, cap, distributor. i replaced a couple bad looking wires, and i had the ignition module tested and came up bad so i replaced it, also had the coil tested and it tested good.

i just put 35$ into it for the ignition module and i still have no spark, this angers me.... any ideas? pickup coil? any way to test it?

Also i have a 1986 chevy cavalier, and it doesn't seem to like to charge the battery, when i put a battery in, it'll charge for about 20 minutes or so, then it won't charge anymore, till the battery dies (about 65 miles), then i charge the battery, put it in, charges again for about 20 minutes then stops. i replaced the alternator, and the wires going to it, belt is tight, any ideas on that?

[Deuce]

I have no answers for you..........but I moved this question to the electrical section where it has a better chance of being answered.



DEUCE..........General Rodding Tech Moderator.....

[Chevl_Steve]

If you had to replace a couple of bad wires AND an ignition module, I'd be checking all the fuses in the fuse box AND seeing if they put a "fusable link" wire in the ignition system. I am not that knowledgable of the more modern cars, but the principal is mostly the same.

If you had a meter it would make it easier as you could check for voltages getting to where they are supposed to be.

On the charging problem, I'd have the new alternator checked first. It wouldn't be the first time a bad one came out of the store. I am thinking that the regulator is built into the alternator on that car, but if not I'd be looking at the regulator for sure.

Also, what are the indications you are seeing that's telling you it's charging for the first 20 minutes?

How clean are you connections at the battery?

[poncho62]

On the alternator, check your belt....I know it seems stupid, but mine was slipping badly and I seemed to get the same symtoms as you are seeing.

Can't really help with the Escort....II would check to see if all the wiring is in good shape.

[cboy]

Just a clarification - the starter is turning over - just no spark at the plug?

[KULTULZ]

i just got this ford escort, it's a 1988 escort gt. the previous owner replaced the plugs, wires, rotor, cap, distributor. i replaced a couple bad looking wires, and i had the ignition module tested and came up bad so i replaced it, also had the coil tested and it tested good.

i just put 35$ into it for the ignition module and i still have no spark, this angers me.... any ideas? pickup coil? any way to test it?

Was the car running when you bought it? Does the rotor turn while cranking (possible broken timing belt)?

This is the 1.8 MAZDA engine right? When the previous owner replaced the distributor, was it a quality piece or something they stuck a CHI-COM stator into? If the rotor is turning, I would call the place where you had the module tested (they gave you the correct module, right?) and see if they can check the stator.

Remove the distributor and take it to them. If checks OK, you are going to have to find a service manual with the full diagnostic routine in it. Also have them check the ignition module again as if there is a crossed circuit or short, it may have cooked it.

FORGOT;

Check the condition of the terminal plug at the TFI Module. Any bare, corroded or broken wires, replace it. FORD has the replacements.

[al010101]

engine turns over fine just no spark, timing belt is new, didn't run when i bought it. has a 1.9litre HO engine. only thing left i can think of would be the pickup coil.

and for the chevy, the belt is tight, and the alternator is the second new one....my way of seeing that it's charging for about 20 minutes is the dash guages and my multimeter.

[spooki]

try these guys
http://www.feoa.net

[al010101]

thanks, they don't seem to have a clue either :-/ anyone have any ideas?

i replaced the ignition module today, ended up getting the wrong one, and i replaced the coil cause it was cheap...but still no spark, everything has been replaced now except....hmm, the pickup coil (though the new distributor came with one so i guess it was replaced), everything has been replaced that i'm aware of, except wiring....gues i'll look for wiring diagrams tomarrow.

[scholman]

al010101,

Is this car fuel injected? Or carburetor?

Scholman

[al010101]

1.9lite HO fuel injected.

Al

[scholman]

Check the fuel pressure.
Ignition will not fire without fuel pressure.
Scholman

[sbchevfreak]

unless you hanve a very good meter, i wouldn't probe the wires going into the TFI, pickup, or other computer feeding device. you need a minimum of 10 megohms resistance in the meter, or you run a vey good chance of frying computer circutry. these things run on milliamps, and the wrong meter is like a dead short to ground.

[al010101]

i have a nice bluepoint multimeter.... and it has good fuel pressure.

[crazy larry]

spooki has a 1.9l sitting in the back of his truck i'll make you a heckuva deal on.

make sure the contact points in the cap and the rotor are clean, spooki brought home a 1.8l that wouldn't fire, had spark, just wouldn't fire, ran some emery cloth ever the contacts, and it fired up.