Dead. Has compression, spark, fuel. No Start

[Tedybear]

OP...you mentioned everything but AIR.

An engine also needs air to formulate the proper air/fuel ratio.

Because of that, check your air intake, and see if anything's clogged. I'm thinking you actually might have a clog at the throttlebody, due to carbon deposits from the EGR. Failing that, check your vacuum and see if there's a clog in the vacuum system.

Air's not a problem. When I did the starter fluid we pulled the air intake hose off at the throttle body, and I blocked the opening on the plates with a large screwdriver. I gave it about 5 sprays @ about 3-5 seconds per whack while my better half was trying to start it up.

And we're expecting another 1-2' worth of snow over the next 24 hours. The tow truck might have to be put off until later at this point. I'm going to pull the VSS this morning and see if that coaxes it to fire up.

**ugh**

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[Tedybear]

this really has me curious. the only thing i would add is to get a multimeter and ohm out your coil. i had one that failed, it would spark but apparently wasnt strong enough when the plug was in the engine. it didnt pass the resistance test (values are listed in your haynes/chiltons manual) so i replaced it and was good to go.

That's possible. The plugs do 'spark' when out of the engine and grounded to the frame. (The engine ground(s) are fine). Just the way it's acting is like it's not getting any spark--re: the engine cranking over "faster" then usual. I'll give the VSS a try and then pull the coil if that doesn't work and use the tools at work to test it out.

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[Tedybear]

this really has me curious. the only thing i would add is to get a multimeter and ohm out your coil. i had one that failed, it would spark but apparently wasnt strong enough when the plug was in the engine. it didnt pass the resistance test (values are listed in your haynes/chiltons manual) so i replaced it and was good to go.

We might have a WINNER here!!

I pulled the VSS and the truck STARTED!! It didn't want to at first, it did a lot of coughing and sputtering. So I did the old "Clear Flood" and it fired up after about 20 seconds.

So I let it idle for about 10 minutes..and turned it off. I then plugged the VSS back in? And the truck started normally...purrs like a kitten....(or as close as this thing gets)

While letting it idle I was doing the wiggle wire test. I got just about knocked to the ground when I started wiggles with the wires next to the ignition coil. With my hand about 2" away from it? I got nailed?!?!? So I shut it down after looking it over for 'spark leaks' and restarted it normally. I then went to carefully move the coil lead...and the coil nailed me a 2nd time. It's not the spark plug wire itself..as that is sealed and you can always tell when that arcs.. It's like the coil pack is grounding itself against the fender skirt it's bolted to.

In any event...I'll be picking up a new coil for it on the way home. Along with ordering in plugs, cap/rotor/wires and giving it a full tune up as soon as the ignition parts come in. At least the coil should allow me to drive it without having a break down.

I'll let everyone know how this works out!

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[Andy D]

Just curious, DB, How old are the wires, cap and rotor? Worn out wires will run OK on a dry day and run terrible on a humid day. One of my BMWs has a weepy cam seal and a few drops of oil picks up the carbon dust and the rotor whips it around running a shorting path between the terminals When it starts acting up, I I take the cap off and wipe it clean inside. My first 4 wd was an old Willys Overland. It would run like crap when wet. I bought some boot grease and worked it into the wires and never had another problem. . Coils crack and leak , but not often. I havent bought a new coil in ages, I just keep a few known good ones for diagnosing. A weak coil is rare but it does happen.

 

[Tedybear]

Just curious, DB, How old are the wires, cap and rotor? Worn out wires will run OK on a dry day and run terrible on a humid day. One of my BMWs has a weepy cam seal and a few drops of oil picks up the carbon dust and the rotor whips it around running a shorting path between the terminals When it starts acting up, I I take the cap off and wipe it clean inside. My first 4 wd was an old Willys Overland. It would run like crap when wet. I bought some boot grease and worked it into the wires and never had another problem. . Coils crack and leak , but not often. I havent bought a new coil in ages, I just keep a few known good ones for diagnosing. A weak coil is rare but it does happen.

It got the 5 star treatment two years ago. Cap, wires, rotor, plugs. The plugs I pulled during testing are worn, but not to the point of being 'trash'. They will get replaced when I get my tax refund. (Along with valve cover gaskets, exhaust manifold with cat/exhaust pipe for the wife's car)...

The truck started it's usual self tonight. A bit stumble....then fired right up. I've installed the new coil and used that same plug wire grease on the connection to the coil. I restarted it and it sounds more smooth?

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[IslandFord]

Your troubleshooting techniques seem to be thorough, but I noticed one tendency. You seem to have alibis for some of your results. The spark is somewhat weak because..... The compression is only 130 lbs. because.... 99% of the time the most recent work you did will be the cause of new problems, but on that other occasion something breaks or shows it's wear just at the wrong time causing you to think it might have been something you did. Look at your alibis (and your wife's comment) and see if you come to a different conclusion than you did at first. Good luck.