No Start, Electrical?

[russgelberg]

Not a new member of Club Cobra, but I took a few years off and can't remember my original user name, so I re-registered.

FFR 3048 always started on the first turn. Always. I did not drive it for a few years due to a head-on collision in another vehicle that kept me out of my FFR . A month ago I fired it up and it drove great for an hour. I parked it and all was well. A few days ago I wanted to go for a cruise but it wouldn't start. Turns over great. Seems to be getting fuel. I swapped out the fuel pump, no change. I don't think it is getting any spark. I built my car with a friends assistance. I'm an assembler, not a skilled auto mechanic. My gut feeling is that the coil is not putting out any juice. I disconnected the wire at the coil that runs from the coil to the distributor cap and it made no difference in the way it sounded. I did see a spark jump after 8-10 seconds of the car turning over. Can anyone walk me thru the steps I can take to identify the weak link? I remember that a bad ground can cause headaches but I don't remember which ones are common problems or if it could be the cause of this issue.

Deep down I really think it is a minor issue that I'm missing and once I find it, Vroomm.

Updates: Tried a new coil, no luck

Suggestions?

Russ
FFR 3048
North Burbs of Chicago

[mickmate]

Get the coil wire close to a ground and crank it, look for a spark.

[Renlady]

A few questions/ideas from my mechanic hubby:
1) How old is the fuel?
2) Have you checked the fuel filter? Might be clogged.
3) If carborated, might be the cap and rotor.

If you're still stumped, I might be able to connect the two of you via phone.
Good luck!

[russgelberg]

Hi RenLady,
The fuel is new as well as the fuel filter and pump. It is a standard 5.0L from the donor Mustang GT so it is Fuel Injected. I'll check for spark from the coil wire to a ground later this morning.

What about the crash sensor in the trunk? How do I know that it is not activated. I pressed the button but I'm wondering if it is the culprit?

[Jaydee]

G'day.
Firt check for a bright spark to earth from the coil. Then connect a 12 test light from earth to + side of coil. Light should come on. then place test light on - side of coil, crank engine, and the light should flash. If not, you have no signal. Start from there.
JD

[russgelberg]

Just checked the coil wire. I removed it at the distributor cap and checked for spark against the frame. Only saw a few small sparks every 5 or so seconds. Should it be a more vigorous and stronger spark? If so, how can I tell that it is the coil and not something further "upstream"?

I do not have an automotive test light. Anything else I can use?

[Steno]

I have the factory 5.0 ignition on my FFR.If I pull the wire out of the coil and crank it, the spark will jump to ground from the terminal. Startled the crap out of me the first time it did it. Try that... coil may be the culprit!
Good luck, Sten

[russgelberg]

Just picked up a coil. I'll check in soon. Hopefully with good news.

[russgelberg]

New coil. No change. Okay, what could cause the coil to not put out juice? Can it be the crash sensor mounted in the trunk? Can it be a bad ground?

[HSC-ZL1]

not really up on 5.0. I think crash sensor only turns off fuel pump. If it has a distributor, pull cap and check cap and rotor. Check all obvious connections and then check to see if rotor is turning. Check pick-up coil for any visual damage. Check if local parts store can check pick-up.

[j.s.w.]

Check the TFI module on the dizzy.

[russgelberg]

If you are talking about the wires connecting to the distributor, the connection is good. Should I be looking for something else? Someone suggested the "ignition module". I'm not sure what/where that is.

For those of you who are real mechanics, I must be driving you crazy!

[FWB]

my bet is on the TFI too, its in the distributor.

[HSC-ZL1]

Unclip the two opposing spring clips on the distributor cap and lift cap straight up to clear rotor that will protrude up to the top inside of the cap. Inspect cap and rotor for excessive arcing and crusting on inside connections. Try to lightly turn rotor. It should only rotate slightly which will be your mechanical advance if there is any. The magnetic pick up will be under the rotor. As the distributor shaft rotates it switches the spark to the distributor contact of the eight spark plug wires. Possible problems, magnetic pick-up, rotor, cap, or even gear drive from cam to distributor shaft. Spark plug wires could also be part of the problem if they are original.

[j.s.w.]

Follow the spark plug wire coming over to the left side. Follow it down to the red dot. That is the TFI.

[Steno]

When you turn on the ignition on the car you should hear the fuel pump run for a moment before you go to start. If you hear it run,the pump is probably good to go. I had an issue with the fuel pump relay once when the car sat for an extended time.rrplaced the relay...no more problem!
Good luck, Sten

[russgelberg]

No luck. Just replaced the TFI, no change. The cap & rotor and wires are all new also.

I remain convinced that it is not a part that went bad. Instead it is something loose. It worked perfectly the last time I used it 3 months ago. I turned it off. I immediately tried again and it started perfectly. I turned it off. It sat 3 months. Now it wont start. I replaced the fuel filter and fuel pump. The coil. The TFI. Sounds exactly the same no matter what I change. Grrrr.

Any thoughts? I appreciate whatever you have.

I've checked all over for loose connections.

Thanks again.

[Gaz64]

Have you checked the rotor is spinning while cranking the engine?

You also have two threads about this subject, so you may get conflicting answers in both threads.

No Start, Electrical?