I have had this car for 10 years, no problems. I go out today to start up, turns over but won't start. Check for fuel issues no problem, getting gas to the cylinders. 318 ci. automatic, electronic ignition (no points). I replaced plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, and ballast resistor, still nothing. Could it be ignition module? Coil? How do you detemine if these are operating corectly. What else? Thanks for the help.
2006-09-06 11:46:03 · 9 answers · asked by sskjvh1111 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No spark at spark plug wire
2006-09-06 11:58:46 · update #1
One additional detail, just went out and checked new ballast resistor (white porcelain on firewall) and it is extremely hot, I tried to crank car over for about thirty seconds. What does that mean
2006-09-06 12:10:29 · update #2
Is the rotor turning in the distributor?
If so, most likely the problem is in the madnetic pickup in the distributor. If not, pull the distributor out and see if the gear on the shaft is broken.
A good gear on the distributor and the distributor not turning means you need a timing chain!!!
The ballast resistor does get hot normally!
2006-09-06 12:48:06 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a lot of things that can cause it not to start. you might first check for spark. It seems you're already thinking this. Take a plug loose and while wearing a glove hold it to the frame while someone else cranks it, you should see the spark and hear a popping noise. if not then you'd got an ignition problem, maybe coil. if it does work then you've probably got a timing issue, check the bolt holding the distributor, it might have come loose and changed your timing. Other than that, i think we'd need more info. good luck.
2006-09-06 11:56:43 · answer #2 · answered by jeepguy_usa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pull a convenient plug wire.
put the shank of the screwdriver about a quarter inch from a non grounded chunk of metal. heads a manifold....
have someone turn over the engine. if no spark, the coil could be bad, if no spark make sure the coil is getting power. disconnect pos wire leave key on. grounding this wire should produce a spark. next check the neg wire. this goes to the distrib. usually a visual is good enough for this. a volt ohm meter is needed for a confirmation. disconn both ends, put v/o leads to each end of wire. set meter to minimum resistance setting (ohm). if wire is good resistance will show up
if all is good you are pretty sure the module is bad.
2006-09-06 11:59:41 · answer #3 · answered by elmo o 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When U are cranking over the engine - On ONE side of the coil U should have a CONSTANT light that U are Checking with a TEST Light-On the other side U should C a pulsating"blinking" light- IF not the the pick/up is bad "USUALLY" Sometimes the Module goes by-by.THAT is' IF' it was running the last time it was driven !
2006-09-06 11:56:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well work your way from the plugs back you;ll figure it out. check the coil they do go bad see if its got oil on it and look for cracks. turn it over at night see it the spark is jumping out the side from the coil wire. check and see if the cap inside is wet too. If you got on it and you need a motor mount the distributor will hit the fire wall and crack the distributor cap too. so make sure to check your motor mounts while your at it.
2006-09-06 11:56:58 · answer #5 · answered by mike L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i bought a new 74 plymouth and it had a white porcelin insulator [white in color] mounted on the firewall. their is a coil wire in their that burns off,and will not start and needed to be replaced once in awhile.now i dont know if your 73 Dodge had that on the firewall. it was on driver side right next where you put brake fluid in. it right out in the open. and also on the passenger front seat if you put like a bag of grocerys on their it will not start untill seat belt is buckled. or take the weight off the seat.
2006-09-06 12:03:43 · answer #6 · answered by Bighorn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use a good screwdriver that is insulated and remove a plug wire the stick the screwdriver into the end of the wire where the plug would go. place the shaft of the screwdriver near ground and turn the engine over you should see a spark.
2006-09-06 11:53:12 · answer #7 · answered by crusher_mma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pull the coil wire off the dist. cap let get close to some metal and have some turn over the engine and see if you get sparkif no then it can be your coil do you got volt/ohm meter, if you dcheck to see if got voltage to coil.
2006-09-06 11:55:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have the ignition module tested. How much do you want for the car?
2006-09-09 16:33:34 · answer #9 · answered by slckid2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋