No Spark - No Start
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
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No Spark - No Start
Good Afternoon, I have a 1984 Cross Fire. I have no spark. I have replaced Cap, Rotor, Coil, Ignition Module & Harness and Pick-Up Coil. The D.U.I. Distributor has less than 4,000 miles on it since new. I have good grounds and 12.9V to distributor. Engine turns over fine; fuel system is working - just no spark at all. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 287
From: Brisbane Australia
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
How are you checking for spark? When you say the DUI is 4000 miles old then you say you have replaced all the parts in the distributor does that mean that you have replaced all the parts in a pretty new DUI distributor? Or does it mean the distributor and associated parts were new 4000 mile ago? When did the car run lasts and did anything else happen to it which might explain the lack of spark?
These are pretty simple systems and if all those parts are new and connected correctly with a 12v supply then there are only two options are either the distributor is not turning or you plugs are so fouled that there is no spark.
I’m leaning towards your distributor not turning. Can you remove the cap and confirm that the rotor turns when you crank the engine.
These are pretty simple systems and if all those parts are new and connected correctly with a 12v supply then there are only two options are either the distributor is not turning or you plugs are so fouled that there is no spark.
I’m leaning towards your distributor not turning. Can you remove the cap and confirm that the rotor turns when you crank the engine.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Hi Greg,
The distributor was new approx. 6 years ago, but only around 4000 miles now on it. Car is stored in a heated garage and was about 3 months since last running. The ignition parts (cap, rotor, etc.) showed some corrosion/pitting, so I replaced them, then continued with coil, pick-up, etc.
I have tested for spark at #1 cylinder with a tester, then at the distributor.
I have checked and confirmed that the distributor is turning.
Is there a situation when the ECM will stop the spark? Possibly a closed sensor or something?
The distributor was new approx. 6 years ago, but only around 4000 miles now on it. Car is stored in a heated garage and was about 3 months since last running. The ignition parts (cap, rotor, etc.) showed some corrosion/pitting, so I replaced them, then continued with coil, pick-up, etc.
I have tested for spark at #1 cylinder with a tester, then at the distributor.
I have checked and confirmed that the distributor is turning.
Is there a situation when the ECM will stop the spark? Possibly a closed sensor or something?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 287
From: Brisbane Australia
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Hi Greg,
The distributor was new approx. 6 years ago, but only around 4000 miles now on it. Car is stored in a heated garage and was about 3 months since last running. The ignition parts (cap, rotor, etc.) showed some corrosion/pitting, so I replaced them, then continued with coil, pick-up, etc.
I have tested for spark at #1 cylinder with a tester, then at the distributor.
I have checked and confirmed that the distributor is turning.
Is there a situation when the ECM will stop the spark? Possibly a closed sensor or something?
The distributor was new approx. 6 years ago, but only around 4000 miles now on it. Car is stored in a heated garage and was about 3 months since last running. The ignition parts (cap, rotor, etc.) showed some corrosion/pitting, so I replaced them, then continued with coil, pick-up, etc.
I have tested for spark at #1 cylinder with a tester, then at the distributor.
I have checked and confirmed that the distributor is turning.
Is there a situation when the ECM will stop the spark? Possibly a closed sensor or something?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 287
From: Brisbane Australia
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
ok well that’s good. If the injectors are firing then most of it is working. You can measure continuity on the low tension side of the coil but I don’t know what it should be off the top of my head. Also there is a graphite pin in the centre of the cap that connects the high tension side of the coil to the rotor button, maybe check that it’s in place.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 287
From: Brisbane Australia
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The primary should measure between about 0.4 and 2 ohms and the high voltage side or secondary should read about 6000 to 15000 ohms. The secondary may be hard to measure with a standard multimeter.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
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From: Fairfax Virginia
They folks with 1984 Crossfire Corvettes are lucky to have folks like you that can help them out with their unique Corvette!
I am pleased to say that there are some of us with zero Crossfire experience that learn "every time" you help some Corvette owner out and for this I am grateful! That Crossfire seems like a simple enough but the differences are amazing.
Thanks for the education Greg!
I am pleased to say that there are some of us with zero Crossfire experience that learn "every time" you help some Corvette owner out and for this I am grateful! That Crossfire seems like a simple enough but the differences are amazing.
Thanks for the education Greg!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 287
From: Brisbane Australia
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
They folks with 1984 Crossfire Corvettes are lucky to have folks like you that can help them out with their unique Corvette!
I am pleased to say that there are some of us with zero Crossfire experience that learn "every time" you help some Corvette owner out and for this I am grateful! That Crossfire seems like a simple enough but the differences are amazing.
Thanks for the education Greg!
I am pleased to say that there are some of us with zero Crossfire experience that learn "every time" you help some Corvette owner out and for this I am grateful! That Crossfire seems like a simple enough but the differences are amazing.
Thanks for the education Greg!
Oh and BTW I think you’re one of the “good guys” Chris. You’re always on here giving detailed and considered advise to people without fear or favor. I for one always enjoy reading your responses and I generally learn something especially when you talk about aeroplane engineering.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 287
From: Brisbane Australia
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Last edited by GregMartin; Jun 15, 2020 at 09:06 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 287
From: Brisbane Australia
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Yeah absolutely man I have too, and when I was first reading the thread my first thought was I bet it doesn’t have 12v. I’m not into shitcanning people as far as I’m concerned there is no such thing as a stupid question. This forum would be useless if people were to scared to ask questions or suggest answers.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 287
From: Brisbane Australia
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019