no spark 85 c10 died

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no spark 85 c10 died

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no spark 85 c10 died - 5/14/2007 8:55:38 PM

03blackburb

Posts: 40
Joined: 3/24/2007
Status: offline

1985 C10 5.7 died the other night. Checked it out and no spark to any cylinders. Checked out the coil pack on top of the distributer and it was shorted. Replaced the cap, rotor and coil pack. Voltage is good to the distributor. Got it all back together with the new parts and still no spark.
Ideas??

Post #: 1

RE: no spark 85 c10 died - 5/15/2007 6:03:17 PM

JHH

Posts: 12
Joined: 5/15/2007
Status: offline

I dont know if you have it running yet but I think that those had that electronic spark control system. If so jump terminal A to C and see if it starts.JHH

(in reply to 03blackburb)

Post #: 2

RE: no spark 85 c10 died - 5/18/2007 9:44:36 PM

03blackburb

Posts: 40
Joined: 3/24/2007
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tested the pickup coil and it checked fine.
Had the ignition module tested and checked out fine.
checked the capacitor and it also checked fine.
the ground is good.
Verfied all the fuses, which checked out fine.

Terminal A and C on what module or component?

(in reply to JHH)

Post #: 3

RE: no spark 85 c10 died - 5/19/2007 5:33:18 AM

golfer

Posts: 610
Joined: 10/8/2006
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I'm guessing the shorted coil was on the secondary side.

You hadn't mentioned about changing the wires and plugs.

You can't always trust new parts since they've been known to be junk out of the box.

I'm not sure how the ignition module was tested but I wouldn't trust it .... you might want to replace it. Just make sure to apply the heatsink silcone grease to the backside of the module or it will overheat and be destroyed.

You're 100% sure about the pickup coil.

Worst case is the distributor is worn.

(in reply to 03blackburb)

Post #: 4

RE: no spark 85 c10 died - 5/19/2007 10:22:12 AM

03blackburb

Posts: 40
Joined: 3/24/2007
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the ignition module was tested on a module tester. The test was run multiple times with no failures.

Plug and wires don't come into the picture as there is no spark coming out of the distributor to any of the terminals.

A worn distributor would not cause a no spark condition. It would show up as rough running or eratic running. There would still be some spark.

(in reply to golfer)

Post #: 5

RE: no spark 85 c10 died - 5/19/2007 5:56:29 PM

JHH

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Joined: 5/15/2007
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Sorry that I havent got back sooner. See if the distributor has a 4 or 5 wire connector on it. If so then unplug it and leave it unpluged and jump A-C. I think this is right if I can remember correctly. Hope this works for you. A-C on distibutor side of connector not harness side. JHH

(in reply to 03blackburb)

Post #: 6

RE: no spark 85 c10 died - 5/20/2007 7:14:29 AM

two slow

Posts: 16
Joined: 5/5/2007
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Is the rotor turning inside the cap? I had a gear break on a distributor once.

(in reply to JHH)

Post #: 7

RE: no spark 85 c10 died - 5/20/2007 9:00:16 AM

03blackburb

Posts: 40
Joined: 3/24/2007
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The rotor is turning when the engine is cranking.

JHH - Are you speaking about the connector tht goes to the ECM?

(in reply to two slow)

Post #: 8

RE: no spark 85 c10 died - 5/20/2007 9:56:36 AM

JHH

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Joined: 5/15/2007
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No. I am refering to the connector on the side of the distributor ( if it has electronic spark control )
It is a 4 or 5 pin on the passenger side of the distributor. ( tailgate has emblem on them that said elctronic spark control) The control box is behind the glove box but dont do anything to that. JHH

The ECM as you are talking about is probably what I am calling the control box. I dont think any of those trucks had ECM till 87 ( fuel injection) I could be wrong. Hope this helps. JHH

(in reply to 03blackburb)

Post #: 9

RE: no spark 85 c10 died - 5/21/2007 9:22:29 AM

golfer

Posts: 610
Joined: 10/8/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: 03blackburb

A worn distributor would not cause a no spark condition. It would show up as rough running or eratic running. There would still be some spark.

Not quite true ... if the rotor shaft of the distributor is not turning then there would be no spark at all.

You indicate the rotor is turning so that won't be the case.

On my 86 C20 with a carb. there is no spark control box or ECU simply a HEI type of ignition. This consists of the coil in cap with a pickup coil and ignition module ( in place of breaker points ).

1 - Check the ohms reading of the coil between the red ( BAT / B+ ) and the yellow ( TACH / C- ) should be between 0 and 1 ohm and each one of those to ground should be infinite ohms.

2 - check the ohm reading of the center contact inside the cap to ground ... should be between 6000 and 300000 ohms. Make sure the spring is contacting the coil

3 - check the contact strip of the rotor for continuity

4 - is the rotor contact swiping the contacts in the cap

5 - check the ohms reading of the green and white wires from the pick up coil ... should be a steady 500 to 1500 ohms when flexing the wires.

6 - check continuity for the three wires ( brown , black , pink ) coming from the distributor base to the cap.

7 - check for broken teeth of the pole piece ( stationary magnet ) and / or the rotating pick up.

.

(in reply to 03blackburb)

Post #: 10