No spark when starting, compression starting works.

[cp2295]

So I have a 98 4.0, manual tranny. I had to do some wiring work and so I took the whole harness out and used heat shrink butt connectors because before I used wire nuts and electrical tape (not too professional). I know I must of crossed a wire or something because when I turn the key to start it the motor free spins, I looked at the flywheel while someone cranked the starter and the flywheel turned just fine. So I checked to see if the coil was sparking while the key was being turned and I got no spark. When I compression start it though the engine runs just fine. What could my issue be?

 

[martin]

Sounds like you are losing the 12v when the key is in the start position. I would start by checking for voltage at the switch when it is turned to start position.

 

[RonD]

Not quite sure I understand.

Starter motor does NOT engage or does engage the engine?

"Flywheel is spinning" means it is engaged.
But "motor spins free" means it doesn't.

'98 has a coil Pack so when key is on it will have 12volts on the end wire, other 3 wires are grounds control by the computer.

Push starting or using the starter motor wouldn't matter, since this uses the coil pack.
It it was an older ignition system then the coil wire used for starting would be disconnected.

 

[cp2295]

Ring gear cracked so it's freely spinning on flywheel while not engaging crankshaft. Watched it spin the flywheel (or so I thought now I know it was just the ring gear), and not the crankshaft, would just kinda bump the crank barely then free spin. I could also see the ring gear wobbling which had me worried then came to the conclusion of the ring gear being screwed up. Gonna replace the flywheel tomorrow with a luk flywheel. No more cheap parts for me.

 

[RonD]

That's a bummer

If the clutch slave is older then replace it and the throwout bearing while you have it apart

 

[cp2295]

It's all brand new that's why I was pissed! But I got a luk flywheel and got it all buttoned up, no more starting issues thank god, Thanks for the replies!

 

[RonD]

Good job

Thanks for the update