No spark at coil

[Dfw_ie]

Hello, I have a 92 3.0L ranger, I am not getting spark at the coil. The coil and the Ignition Control Module are new. The ignition coil has two wires connecting to it (red/light blue and tan/yellow) these same wires are also connected to the ignition control module through the factory harness. I bypassed the harness and connected the tan/yellow wire directly from the ignition control module to the ignition coil and the truck would start when it was turned over. I did a continuity check to ensure that the wires are not faulty through the wiring harness and they seem ok. Does anyone know what could be preventing the ignition control module and ignition coil from communicating? In my mind I would think that there is something between the coil and module that is preventing the signal. Any help is appreciated.

 

[locovaca]

Make sure the grounds are good, first off. Second, the Red/Light Blue wires between the two plugs aren't "the same wire." That is the power line coming from the ignition switch that drives several things. I'd check that same line at the distributor for continuity, and I'd it also powers the PCM Relay, you should check there too to make sure it's getting power.

Last thing, when you bypassed the harness what did you do with the other four wires? One is used to control the SPOUT pin on the computer, you might try pulling the SPOUT jumper and running if you didn't have that connected. Another is the only ground listed for the distributor. The other two go to the computer.

 

[Dfw_ie]

Thanks for the reply. I will check the connection at the distributor.

When I jumped the wire (tan/yellow from coil to ign control module, the module remained connected to the harness, I simply exposed some of the wiring and used wire to connect the coil and module).

Any thoughts on where the ground would be located?

Thanks

I'm posting this pic, although I'm not very well versed in wiring diagrams- it might help in future discussions.

 

[locovaca]

The Tan/Yellow wire was the only one you jumped? If that fixed things I'd be checking to make sure the wiring looks ok going into the instrument cluster, and making sure that the wire wasn't grounded. That wire controls when the ignition coil actually fires; the Red/Light Green is 12V, so it should work by grounding out which would cycle the ignition coil. You might also try disconnecting the instrument cluster and seeing if it starts then.

 

[Dfw_ie]

I was conducting a test on the PIP sensor on the distributor from a write up I found online ( http://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_ign_fender/fender_mounted_module_5.php)

In the test it says to connect a test light between the #6 wire from the ignition module and the positive side of the battery to test the signal- for some reason when I cranked the engine over it started running. I disconnected the test light and turned off the engine and i was able to consistently turn the engine on and off. I'm kinda confused at this point.

 

[adsm08]

The wire is damaged. The light is probably completing the damaged circuit.