no spark possibly??

Mark01 · Mar 5, 2018

Hello guys, i have a couple questions about why my truck might not be starting.

1. checked the cap and wires, everything looks good.

2. battery has a good charge.

So let me back track a little bit here, so yesterday i left to go to a bbq and my truck seemed a little hard to start, but i just shrugged it off and on the way there it is was sputtering and rpm's were jumping all over the place. And when i went to try and leave it would not start. So could it be a bad electronic control module or ignition coil. im not the most mechanically inclined and any information would help guys.

RonD · Mar 6, 2018

Welcome to TRS

Do 50/50 test
Open hood
Remove Power brake vacuum hose or PCV Valve hose, at either end on either hose
Spray gasoline or Quick Start(ether) into that hose so it goes into the Intake Manifold
Put hose back on
Crank engine to start

If it starts/fires and then dies Spark is OK but you are not getting gasoline to the engine
If it doesn't start/fire the Spark is not working
50/50

Spark is less likely problem than fuel pump on 1989 unless you know fuel pump was changed recently
But TFI modules(spark) can fail, however they usually cause problems when they are warmed up, i.e. hard to re-start when engine is warm, but easy start cold
Ignition coils are much the same, problems show up when they are warm/hot, so cold start wouldn't be an issue

Sputtering RPMs reads like you were "running out of gas"
So I have to ask...........is there gas in the tank, not just on the gauge?

Mark01 · Mar 7, 2018

yes i had just filled the tank up with gas.

Mark01 · Mar 7, 2018

it wont even fire, just keeps cranking.

Mark01 · Mar 7, 2018

is gas suppose to shoot out of the little valve on the fuel rail? cause nothing came out.

RonD · Mar 7, 2018

Cycle key on, count to 3 then off, 3 times
You should hear HUMMM of fuel pump in the gas tank for 2 seconds each time key is turned on

Then check schrader valve(little valve) on fuel rail.
Yes, system should hold pressure for a few months, so some gasoline should squirt out.
But you do need to cycle key on and off to build up pressure again if you crank engine for longer periods.

So when you added fuel manually(50/50 test) it won't fire or start?

Then yes Spark would be first thing to check.

Mark01 · Mar 7, 2018

i did cycle the key a few times/primed it but nothing came out. How would i check for spark?

RonD · Mar 7, 2018

Assuming you do not hear the HUMMM of the pump in the tank, it is loud enough to hear

In 1989 the Fuel Pump Relay could be on the inner fender or UNDER the engine fuse box

There are 2 main relays and 1 optional relay, the bases the relay plugs into are color coded,
Green base is Fuel Pump Relay
Brown base is EEC Relay

Black base is A/C relay(WOT Relay)

Fuel pump relay should "click" closed for 2 seconds when key is turned on
EEC relay "clicks" closed and stays closed while key is on

Fuel pump relay gets 12volt for fuel pump from a 30amp fuse in engine fuse box OR a fusible link connected to Starter Relays battery post.

From the Fuel Pump Relay 12volts flows to Inertia switch in passenger side of cab, under glove box area, sometimes behind kick panel.
It is smaller square plastic and has a RED button on the top, button should be down
Button pops up if in an accident cutting 12volts to fuel pump
From Inertia switch 12v goes to fuel pump in the gas tank

Mark01 · Mar 7, 2018

the inertia switch was in the down position

Mark01 · Mar 7, 2018

i do hear the pump and the clicks of the relays

RonD · Mar 7, 2018

You can also pull out 1 spark plug after cranking engine over, spark plug tip should be WET with gasoline, that would confirm engine is getting fuel but has no spark.

How old is the fuel filter?
Could it be completely clogged?

Spark is autonomous on 1989 2.9l
TFI module and coil get 12v with key on
Hall Effect sensor in the distributor pulses as distributor rotates
The TFI module pulses the Coils negative terminal to spark it, in time with Hall Effect sensor.

TFI module sends that Pulse to the computer to time the fuel injectors, computer also sends back retard/advance "suggestions" to the TFI module for better acceleration, but TFI module is independent for starting and running the engine

TFI testing info here: http://www.therangerstation.com/how-to/ignition-charging-computers/ford-eec-ivtfi-iv-electronic-engine-control-troubleshooting/

rusty ol ranger · Mar 7, 2018

If the pump is running an you still have no pressure, the fuel filter is what id look at.

Mark01 · Mar 7, 2018

the fuel filter is about 2 years old i'd say. so since i have no gas coming out of schrader valve could that be where the problem is?

Mark01 · Mar 7, 2018

after trying to crank the engine over, spark plug tip was wet (i dont know if this matters but it was wet only on one thread of the plug) and smelled of gas. i checked just now.

RonD · Mar 7, 2018

Pull vacuum hose off of the Fuel Pressure Regulator(FPR) and see if there is gas inside it, there shouldn't be.
leave vacuum hose off and cycle key on and off a few times and then look at FPR vacuum port to see if gas is dripping out.

But if spark plug has fuel on it then engine should be firing if there is spark

no spark possibly??

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