el fairmont auto won't start - Ford Forums

jasbmxr · 12-15-2006, 19:22

hi i have el fairmont auto with distributor/coil. a friend and i replaced the rocker cover seal and my friend tried to start the car but he forgot to put leads back on spark plugs. after noticing this we put them back on it started fine turned car off then tried starting it again and it started n then just stopped. then tried starting it again and was craking over but not sparking. we tested leads n coil for spark but there was nothing. we then went to a mechanic which was a friend of his and got a coil set up to test dizzy and it started so we replaced the dizzy with a reconditioned one and it ran fine. could starting it with out spark plugs damage the distributor? it been about 3 months now and it been sarting rough for last couple of days and replaced radiator about a week ago. last night i turned into my drive way after going for a 10 minute drive in rain and the motor cut out and wnt start. its cranking over but not running. same symptoms as last time dizzy stuffed.
could there be a problem causing the distributer o die? or could it be something else? does anyone know how much a new distributor would be? ivé seen them on ebay for around $50 to $80 new has anyone bought one off ebay n should i trust it for quality?

jasbmxr · 12-15-2006, 19:26

atec77 · 12-15-2006, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasbmxr

hi i have el fairmont auto with distributor/coil. a friend and i replaced the rocker cover seal and my friend tried to start the car but he forgot to put leads back on spark plugs. after noticing this we put them back on it started fine turned car off then tried starting it again and it started n then just stopped. then tried starting it again and was craking over but not sparking. we tested leads n coil for spark but there was nothing. we then went to a mechanic which was a friend of his and got a coil set up to test dizzy and it started so we replaced the dizzy with a reconditioned one and it ran fine. could starting it with out spark plugs damage the distributor? it been about 3 months now and it been sarting rough for last couple of days and replaced radiator about a week ago. last night i turned into my drive way after going for a 10 minute drive in rain and the motor cut out and wnt start. its cranking over but not running. same symptoms as last time dizzy stuffed.
could there be a problem causing the distributer o die? or could it be something else? does anyone know how much a new distributor would be? ivé seen them on ebay for around $50 to $80 new has anyone bought one off ebay n should i trust it for quality?

Repco do a dizzy for around $125.00 , sounds like the modual is dead , check for spark , it should be bright blue , if yellow its the modual

460cixy · 12-16-2006, 01:42

should replace the dizzy and coil as a pair i find after a coil is replaced the moduel goes not long after and vice versa

fordboy98 · 12-16-2006, 19:00

If you crank the engine without providing a path for the high tension spark to discharge to, you could very well trash the coil and/or TFI module. This is because without an air gap for the spark to "jump", voltages in the high tension circuit could rise to well above design standards and subequently cause failure of coils or electonic components in the ignition system. Even when you are testing for a spark, you should disconnect only one plug lead at a time and insert an old spark plug in the end of the lead and earth it for the spark to jump to. You can open up the gap to several mm. If there's a spark there, you'll see it! Remember that HT voltages are up around the 40,000 volt mark.