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Van died while driving.

2212 Views 13 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  RECox286
I backed out of my drive way and put it in drive... went 10 feet and she died :(

Had no spark to the plugs... checked coil... no spark coming from the Coil.
Have 11.14 volts on the +terminal when probed the coil
Voltage on the -terminal fluctuates while cranking.

I would guess that all means that everything up to that point is working correctly?

What I've replaced so far:

1. Coil
2. Spark plug wires
3. Spark plugs
4. Distributor cap
5. Rotor

I just installed the new coil (after drilling out the rivets of the old one while it was in place... that bracket is hell to try and take off)
I cranked the engine and heard a loud pop (guessing that was from gas in the cylinders from testing, meaning I'm getting spark to the plugs)
At least now it sounds like it's trying to catch... but very faint.

These are my questions:
1. Is there an easy way to put my finger in the #1 spark plug hole? or get my 15 month son to do it :) cause it's a pain in the a** to get to them in the first place.
2. How would I test the pick-up coil on the distributor... that's the only thing on the high tension side I haven't checked yet.
3. I had the old coil disconnected completely and removed the rotor cap.. the rotor spins slow while cranking... don't know how fast it is suppose to be.

My battery is now almost dead (from death at street till now I've only cranked it around 20 times)

If anybody has had this issue or knows what might be wrong... I'd appreciate the help (it's my only vehicle and Christmas is coming)
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1 - 3 of 14 Posts
??? what flavor (brand) parts are you putting in this 97 ? does the dist cap have brass in the towers, or aluminum ? are you using select grade parts, or Kmart specials ? It does make a difference.

If the crank sensor were bad, it would probably not spark at all, the ignition module can be tested at some parts stores, or an automotive electric shop. The latter (module) would be my guess. Also, (and a biggie)
get an OEM coil (Delco) not some off brand gizzy, and definitely get a tube of dielectric (tune up) grease. Use the grease on the insides of all the high tension (spark plug and coil) wires, and under the ignition module when you replace it. It may be overheating now, and may need be regreased, if it is still serviceable. Heat is the main cause of electronics failure.

Get yourself a fitting that will wind into the spark plug hole, that you can put a long rubber hose on the other end. Use it to "feel" for compression. Makes it a lot more easier !

Good luck

Bob
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ESD does bad things, all righty. Don't discount that they are related.

Bob
anything that is high tension in the ignition system. Wires, cap, coil ...

Bob
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