1990 EA GL No start or spark - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Nosvoratu · 07-20-2002, 01:28

Finally found a place to seek some advice..........

I have a major prob with my (newly acquired) 1990 EA Falcon

Yesterday, got in, turned key and it started. Then it stalled when I released the handbrake. Fearing no evil I turned the key again .... and again.......and again......and again to no avail.

Got out and checked the plugs, leads etc to the following results
Fuel supply ok
No spark at plugs
No spark at coil
Power supplied to coil at connector

Therefore all being equal I presumed that the coil was the culprit and spent all day today replacing it. (They put things in the darnedst places.)

After much wrestling and writhing got Mr coil installed and happily turned the key again.......and again......and again......and again.

Repeated the fault finding sequence to find same results as above.

Consulted Gregory's tech manual (repeatedly) to ascertain other possible causes, once again to no avail.

Could someone please shed some light on this problem for me???

All suggestions greatly appreciated as I am dangerously close to turning my EA into a boat anchor.

Troutman · 07-20-2002, 01:38

When I had this problem it was simply a battery that had been left for too long and was discharged. I hope it's something simple like that in your case...

Otherwise, someone here will be able to help for sure.

speedy · 07-20-2002, 06:11

This happened to me once.

I was at my uncle�s workshop and did a little work on my EA II S Pack. Went to go home and did not start. Checked everything no sparks at leads or coil but it would try to turn over but it did not.

Ended up being I knocked a small cable off the battery do not know what it was for but when it was re connected it started first go.

Check to see if all battery cables are connected and that there is no corrosion on any individual cables.

If it is not this make sure that you immobiliser is disarming.

Jason

Aussiblue · 07-20-2002, 06:46

Check the distributor rotor spins when you turn the motor over; if not suspect broken dizzie gear. But let's hope it's something simpler.

Check all the high tension spark plug leads are firmly attached at both ends.

Backprobe TFI module. see http://www.therangerstation.com/TFI_Diagnostic.html

Nosvoratu · 07-20-2002, 18:35

Speedy.

Have eliminated dizzy as possible problem...rotates fine when turning over.

I can hear a solenoid operating when initially turning on ignition and when turning back to the run position, however for subsequent turns of the key it doesn't seem to make any noise until turning off and waiting for several minutes. Is this normal?

Also checked all wires from battery and found to be ok and clean/tight etc

You mentioned an immobiliser? Were EA's fitted with one from the factory and if so where will I find it / circuits / wires etc to determine if it is disarming?

I have also attempted to use the self diagnostic test (key on engine Off test) and all that I am receiving is a single flash from my lamp when turning the key on. After consulting the codes I cannot find just a single flash (2 secs long)
Any Ideas?

Blue.

Thanks for the link will be investigating the TFI next

Nosvoratu · 07-20-2002, 20:40

Blue and speedy

have back probed the tfi with the following results

NO POWER TO ANY TERMINAL

Back traced to ECU and found that the Yellow wire with green stripe (YG) and Brown wire (B) have an earth braid wrapped around them. It also looks as though it is not standard as the amount of elec tape and quality looks other than factory.
The braid is earthed at the ECU end but stops short of the TFI connector.

Also found that when back probing the ecu to determine power to TFI that when solenoid engages (initial Key turn) power runs on Brown wire (TFI Module to ECU No:56) then turns off.
AND at no time is there power on YG wire (ECU to TFI No:36)

Deductions so far:
Could earth braid be part of immobiliser? and if so is it faulty?
Why have earth braid around B and YG wires when connected only at one end?

Slowly going mad at this stage!

Nosvoratu · 07-20-2002, 22:36

Have found Problem!!!!

Blown head, apparently (according to Gregories Book) if you blow the head the ECU / TFI etc etc all shut down so that you can't do further damage.......There's a car yard that ain't going to like the phone call tomorrow morning!!! (Under Warranty still)

Thanks to all for the input, will let you all know how it goes and I will be hanging around here pretty regular now I know where you are

Cheers
Geoff

Aussiblue · 07-21-2002, 02:25

Ouch! Glad you got it sorted though.

image · 07-22-2002, 18:58

I didn't know that the ecu shuts down when you get a blown head gasket? How does it know that it is blown? Are there sensors that detect a blown head gasket?

07-23-2002, 06:27

What page of the gregories manual is that on?

I don't think the ECU could really know that the head gasket was blown, so find that hard to believe.

You can check to see if it is a blown head gasket by using a compression gauge on each cylinder, that way you will know for sure.