Just bought H-A GN, Can't get fire!!!

[thewoodieb]

Hey guys, if there is anyone willing to lend me a few helpful words I would appreciate it. This is my first GN and I have always wanted one, my collection is complete. An 85 GN and an 84 Monte SS. Lol. Lets get to the point. Below I have listed the actions I have taken to get fire to the GN:

-Bought a fresh battery
-installed coil already attached to 85 bracket(bracket had three connection points, and coil had 87 painted on it near harness connection, the coil had an "adapter cable" attached; I tried it with and without the adapter, nothing.)
-I read up on the "basic hot-air info" and checked all of the connections, I tested the "highlighted yellow" wire and tested positive which in turn told me that the sensors were good.
-keep in mind I have 3 coilpacks, one 4 bolt and two 3 bolt's, I tried all three and got nothing. The "basic hot-air info" stated that if the "blue wire" threw no voltage that the "Ignition Module" was good. That's all it said.
-I took that info as the only thing it could be is the coilpack, but like I said nothing, all of them with the adapter and without the adapter. Is there a chance that I have 3 crap coilpacks? I haven't opened them up yet to check if they were burned(oh yeah, each coilpack has the individual squares on top, if that helps anyone decipher).
-When I bought the car(two weeks ago) the guy gave me a big packet of papers on the engine, it basically stated that the tuning of the cam sensor has no affect on the performance of the car, is this true or could this also be causing the problem?

**** My question is: is there anyone who can help me, talk me through it list some even more detailed info or steps to follow to get this thing firing??? Where can I find good or new coilpacks for this thing and/or whatever else I might need? I haven't tried Advanced Autos and Autozone is a waste of time. Any help, anything at all, I promise it will NOT be a waste of your time!!! LOAD ME UP!!! I'M A GN VIRGIN!!!

 

[1986TR]

goto gnttype and read all the info on converting to 87 coil pack its all there just read it a couple times and then read it again:biggrin:

 

[1986TR]

here you go 84/85 ECM Conversion to 86/87 ECM

 

[gnguy84]

ive got an 84gn i had same issues. give me a call 3179381883.

 

[cool 84]

Let's back up a little. Maybe this has already been answered, but do you have no spark, no fuel, or both?

 

[esinger]

Where in NC are you. I'm in Greensboro and if your not too far away I could help on site.

 

[thewoodieb]

Let's back up a little. Maybe this has already been answered, but do you have no spark, no fuel, or both?

I have fuel, and it's actually splashing from the top of the tank. I unplugged the sending unit because of it. I am worried more about ignition right now. Fuel flow isn't a problem, plus an easy fix if it were. What do you have in mind? Oh, by the way I have been checking spark with a correct spark sensor tool.

 

[85mustangkiller]

I also just got a 85 Gn, I was having the same trouble. Heres what I did to fix mine hope it helps.

1. checked crank/cam sensors to make sure the worked
2.checked all conections with ohm meter, I had broken wires in the ccci conecter that plugs into the ign control under the coil. the wires were broke in the plug, also had a few that were broken inside the wire from being bent to many times.
3. ohmed coil
4. ohmed ign control
5.cleaned all grounds
6.Found main problem. there is a group of wires running under the coil. there was a what looks like a fusible link, its black has two wires going in one out. that was broken and it was a main power wire. It would touch and work make it done the road then die from the engine shaking it.
7. make sure you check your fuses, could be that easy

 

[thewoodieb]

I also just got a 85 Gn, I was having the same trouble. Heres what I did to fix mine hope it helps.

1. checked crank/cam sensors to make sure the worked
2.checked all conections with ohm meter, I had broken wires in the ccci conecter that plugs into the ign control under the coil. the wires were broke in the plug, also had a few that were broken inside the wire from being bent to many times.
3. ohmed coil
4. ohmed ign control
5.cleaned all grounds
6.Found main problem. there is a group of wires running under the coil. there was a what looks like a fusible link, its black has two wires going in one out. that was broken and it was a main power wire. It would touch and work make it done the road then die from the engine shaking it.
7. make sure you check your fuses, could be that easy

Wow never thought of checking resistance, man I feel stupid. Lol. I am most likely going to work on the car today. Had rain all yesterday. How did you go about checking the harness with Ohm meter? ECM Connection to coil connection, sensor connections, and so on? I might have to unravel some wire then. Thanks for all of the help.

 

[SloGN]

if the crank sensor is bad it will not fire also the cam sensor also plays a part in the sync of the ign module. do you have a scan tool ?

 

[kh440]

Most likely suspect is crank sensor: either broken, bad or even misdajusted to the balancer. And yes a cam sensor does impact whether or not the car will run: it installs like a distributor on a "normal" engine, and if not positioned just right the car will not start.

 

[thewoodieb]

Most likely suspect is crank sensor: either broken, bad or even misdajusted to the balancer. And yes a cam sensor does impact whether or not the car will run: it installs like a distributor on a "normal" engine, and if not positioned just right the car will not start.

Say the cam sensor is bad, will not having a compatible coilpack also cause it to get no spark or would it be sporadic out of order spark?

 

[kh440]

So far as I remember the cam sensor was the same for all years, so coil compatibility should not be an issue (so long as you are using the right module and the adapter harness if you run the 86-87 ignition). Typically (and I emphasize the word typically) the only time the cam sensor is the problem is A: the drive gear (wear it rides on the cam) has chipped/missing teeth, the shear pin has broken, or the cap itself is cracked especially around where the 3-wire pigtail is. It's possible if the sensor has been removed that it was not installed and retimed properly (imagine putting the regular distributor in your Monte off by one or two teeth), but I still would almost put money on the crank sensor being the problem.

 

[cool 84]

Say the cam sensor is bad, will not having a compatible coilpack also cause it to get no spark or would it be sporadic out of order spark?

Bad cam sensor= no spark or fuel injectors

Out of time cam sensor= spark and fuel at the wrong time

The 84 and 87 coilpack/modules are wired different. You need an adaptor harness as sold by Caspers to run the 87 coil.

 

[hcox10]

just bought h-a gn/ can't get fire!!!

hi
i have 84 h/a it would'nt start it was cranck sensor.
wish you the best harold.

 

[thewoodieb]

I am gonna take a break from the GN this weekend. I am gonna work the Monte Carlo over tomorrow(sunday). I will be back when I get back to the GN monday. In the meantime I would like to thank everyone for there help! I have a pretty good idea of what it might be, but if that happens not to solve the problem(crank sensor) I will be back, be assured! Thanks again to my new family!