Replaced module/coilpack now no spark....

[87gninpa]

I figured out that my ignition module and coilpack were bad when the car started having problems, then would finally not start anymore. put on a new module and coilpack today and the car still just cranks but wont start and there is no spark form the coilpack. where should i go from here?

 

[wants a tr]

make sure it is grounded properly...and then check to see if you might have popped a fuse in the box under the dash....HTH

 

[87gninpa]

how do you make sure it is grounded properly? all fuses are ok, i just went through them also, there is definately fuel coming into the engine, just no spark

 

[MistaScott]

Make sure you didn't overlook anything obvious like reconnecting the positive battery cable or plugging in the ECM or fuel pump.

 

[Red Regal T]

Maybe the new ignition module is no good.

 

[BJM]

First time I swapped a module and coil pack I slapped it on loosely just to try it. Car wouldn't start at all. The brackets are the ground path to the intake manifold. Abrasively clean all the interfaces you opened up during the swap and tighten things down again. I use dielectric grease on all those joints now and I now run a braid from under the module to the firewall ground point that is near the wiper motor. Even after fixing it the first time the car started cutting out while driving, the braid fixed that. Its ridiculous not having a module ground on one or the many pins in that connector.

 

[dyermullet]

Where on the module did you attach the ground? I have only had mine off once so I don't remember exactly what the underside looked like.

Since my recent troubles with my engine ground and all the problems that it caused, I am about to go ground crazy, adding a few extras.

Scott

 

[BJM]

I put the ground's ring terminal between the metal plate and the bracket going down to the manifold. You still have to make sure the module is well bolted to the bracket for ground. The factory star washers won't nexessarily cut through the paint if its corroded so I burnished off a little paint around each hole.

My car acted like there was a random on/off switch on the ignition before I fixed it. I also think so past problems of poor idle were caused by it as well.

 

[87gninpa]

i cleaned all of the bolts and surfaces they go into, got the module tested today at autozone, checked all fuses again, and still no spark. i was thinking maybe cranksensor, but i thogiuht with a bad crank sensor, there would be no injector pulse and there definately is. what else can happen here, it seems pretty simple??????

 

[87gninpa]

is there anything else involved in the ignition system?? whil ei was down at the fusebox, there was a loose wire, but i cant seem to figure out where it came from??? it is a small connector with an orange wire and it doesnt fit anywhere in the fuse box. i noticed there was a place on the fuse box next to the ecm-ign fuse the just said ign with a diagonal down arrow pointing to a place for a connector, but there wasnt one there. i figured maybe this wire came loos from there, but it wont fit and i havent been in the fusebox before this problem started so i think it was unplugged before this all happened. any ideas of what it is?? im just really lost because its not one of the normal no spark, no start conditions. i was hoping there was something i was missing, but everything seems perfect.....

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by 87gninpa
is there anything else involved in the ignition system?? whil ei was down at the fusebox, there was a loose wire, but i cant seem to figure out where it came from??? it is a small connector with an orange wire and it doesnt fit anywhere in the fuse box. i noticed there was a place on the fuse box next to the ecm-ign fuse the just said ign with a diagonal down arrow pointing to a place for a connector, but there wasnt one there. i figured maybe this wire came loos from there, but it wont fit and i havent been in the fusebox before this problem started so i think it was unplugged before this all happened. any ideas of what it is?? im just really lost because its not one of the normal no spark, no start conditions. i was hoping there was something i was missing, but everything seems perfect.....

I'm pretty sure that orange wire gets hooked up to a constant hot in the fuse box. Is it 2-blades, like an "L" shaped connector? I don't think it's ignition related, but it may be.

I may be confusing my parts but isn't there also an ignition related module on the RH fender with all the relays?

Jim

 

[BJM]

I think the fender one is the ESC Electronic Spark Control, a poor name for it but its really the knock processing box. The car should run without the ESC. During cranking the ignition module sets the timing at 10 Deg BTDC, the ECM has no control during that time. It sounds like a wiring problem. Can you borrow a known good unit?

 

[MeanBuicks]

Perhaps you'll find something here to help: http://friendsgarage.bravehost.com/tr_no_start/chart_a-3_1.htm

Right from the service manual.

 

[87gninpa]

i have the manual, and all of the tests checked out ok. i know the module is good, i had it tested and i saw it run on a car yesterday without a problem. i definately dont think its a wiring problem because as is said, everything from the manual checked out and all wires that should have power to them do.

 

[BJM]

Wild guess but was your chip one with anti-theft that could be turned off and now its on again? Normally it should fire and die though.

 

[87gninpa]

nope, i wish it was that easy its just a regular JL chip

 

[TurboJim]

Well, if it ran before, then you did something wrong. Step back a step. Put the old one back and see if it runs. Do you have 12v on the pink/blk wire with the key on?

 

[87gninpa]

Yes there is 12v on the pnk/blk wire. i checked all of the wires that were listed in the book and they all checked out fine. put the old one back on and same thing

 

[87gninpa]

is it possible i shorted out the module? im really no electronics expert, but is this possible? if so, could anything else be hurt by this besides the module?

 

[Garycar]

I'm not familiar with all the details of your problem but you might want to disconnect the multi pin connector at the ignition module and take a good look at the male and female connectors to ensure that the pins are not bent and therefore not connected.