No Spark

[Keokuk]

Far as I know a crankshaft position sensor does not initiate the spark, just tells ECM when to initiate. From what I can see in threads you have not definitely determined whether you have spark. If position sensor is not signaling for a spark, no spark. If signaling at wrong time with spark, stalling and/or backfiring. Since you replaced coil pack and still fails to start I suspect your not getting spark because position sensor is not sending signal, or as someone mentioned, check ECM fuse, or ECM may be bad. Without test equipment go cheapest and/or easiest first with consideration as to the most common failures of ignition system for your year/engine model for vehicle symptoms.

Does the ECM have a separate fuse on the unit itself?

 

[christopherjost]

The truck died on me driving down the street. It had done that a few times over the last several days, but now it won't start.
The starter whirs & the fan spins when I turn the ignition.
I back-drained the fuel filter, no luck. A shot of starting fluid, and no luck.

What should I be looking at?

Had this same problem. Checked fuel pressure at rail and fuel pump was bad. Changed pump and got pressure. Still Crank/No-Start.

Tried again and misfire codes. Ended up changing CrankPS, CamPS, coil packs, plugs, and wires.
Had to be the computer so had it remanned and it then started throwing new codes. Took the ECM back and made them fully bench test and they found a missed fault and gave me a new-to-me ECM in place. Lifetime warranty. (Good folks in Cary NC – mail-in service – can I mention them by name?).

So, the thing people told me was the least likely to fail was actually it. Twice. It was generating bad codes which lead me down a false diagnostic trail.

There’s something to be said for the simplicity of the distributor on my ‘74 MG.

 

[Steveinnm]

Check crank angle sensor.

Really I thought I mentioned that yesterday

 

[Keokuk]

I got a new one I'm putting on.
If they gave me the right part.

 

[fast_dave]

Had to be the computer so had it remanned and it then started throwing new codes. Took the ECM back and made them fully bench test and they found a missed fault and gave me a new-to-me ECM in place. Lifetime warranty. (Good folks in Cary NC – mail-in service – can I mention them by name?).

@christopherjost
Go for it - give him all the pertinent contact information - you're only trying to help a brother out!

 

[Tim.Martin3685]

The truck died on me driving down the street. It had done that a few times over the last several days, but now it won't start.
The starter whirs & the fan spins when I turn the ignition.
I back-drained the fuel filter, no luck. A shot of starting fluid, and no luck.

What should I be looking

The truck died on me driving down the street. It had done that a few times over the last several days, but now it won't start.
The starter whirs & the fan spins when I turn the ignition.
I back-drained the fuel filter, no luck. A shot of starting fluid, and no luck.

What should I be looking at?

 

[Tim.Martin3685]

The truck died on me driving down the street. It had done that a few times over the last several days, but now it won't start.
The starter whirs & the fan spins when I turn the ignition.
I back-drained the fuel filter, no luck. A shot of starting fluid, and no luck.

What should I be looking at?

Sounds like the crank shaft sensor finally went out. When the sensor starts to go out, it will die while driving down the road. Killing all power. Causing you to pull over with no power steering and having to restart it and continue down the road. Eventually it will go out completely and just not start at all. Did you notice the tack bouncing around, like it wasn't reading properly and fluctuating?

 

[Keokuk]

Sounds like the crank shaft sensor finally went out. When the sensor starts to go out, it will die while driving down the road. Killing all power. Causing you to pull over with no power steering and having to restart it and continue down the road. Eventually it will go out completely and just not start at all. Did you notice the tack bouncing around, like it wasn't reading properly and fluctuating?

Didn't notice the tach doing odd things.
Got the crankshaft sensor out, and it looked pretty gummed up. Changed it.
Still won't start, but I think that's because of the battery being low. Going to give it a jump after awhile.

 

[Eduardox88]

Yours have the started solenoid, you can try yourself. Hook a cable to the small terminal in the started solenoid(remove the cable it has connected that comes from the ignition switch) and the other end go to the positive side of the battery when you are ready to turn the ignition manually. This way you can test yourself.

I attached a picture for your reference. In one of these terminals should be a red cable that come from the ignition switch which is what makes the starter turn.

Note: TEST WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION

 

[Eduardox88]

By the way, I think the problem is your crankshaft sensor if you have no spark.

 

[NigonKouk]

The truck died on me driving down the street. It had done that a few times over the last several days, but now it won't start.
The starter whirs & the fan spins when I turn the ignition.
I back-drained the fuel filter, no luck. A shot of starting fluid, and no luck.

What should I be looking at?

Check for spark, crankshaft position sensor and fuel pressure.

 

[CRowlett]

The truck died on me driving down the street. It had done that a few times over the last several days, but now it won't start.
The starter whirs & the fan spins when I turn the ignition.
I back-drained the fuel filter, no luck. A shot of starting fluid, and no luck.

What should I be looking at?

I had the same thing, try the fuel pump relay. Quick check just put the A/C relay in and try it

 

[songboat]

Now I've got trouble.
I tested the coil pack and everything was good at the harness, but the ohms were high across the coils, around 13.2 for two of them & 11.7 for the other. So, I changed out the coil pack, and it didn't seem to make much difference. Still won't crank.

It will crank but will not start. Right, Keokuk?

 

[Justinwht]

The starter whirs ...

Does it "whirs" like its free spinning or like it spinning more slower like its trying to turn over the engine. If its free spinning, the bendix isn't pushing the starter gear against the flywheel. Been there with a new starter that crapped out after two years, under warranty.

But that's a whole 'nuther nightmare story getting it fixed.

 

[Keokuk]

Does it "whirs" like its free spinning or like it spinning more slower like its trying to turn over the engine. If its free spinning, the bendix isn't pushing the starter gear against the flywheel.

I thought that was what the fan spinning indicated, that the starter gear was engaging enough to turn it

 

[sport trac jr.]

Sounds like the crank shaft sensor finally went out. When the sensor starts to go out, it will die while driving down the road. Killing all power. Causing you to pull over with no power steering and having to restart it and continue down the road. Eventually it will go out completely and just not start at all. Did you notice the tack bouncing around, like it wasn't reading properly and fluctuating?

Damn I dont like the crank shaft sensor story makes me want to go change mine, now an other item to have worry about...thanks Tim.....and is their a miles change on the crank shaft sensor.....and where is the crank shaft sensor
beside the radiator...on the 4.0.......???
"Sounds like the crank shaft sensor finally went out. When the sensor starts to go out, it will die while driving down the road. Killing all power"

 

[RoyKelly2]

There’s something to be said for the simplicity of the distributor on my ‘74 MG.

Just like my 67 F-250

 

[Mbrooks420]

I’ll take electronic ignition and fuel injection any day. Magnitudes more robust then what they replaced.

 

[Keokuk]

Damn I dont like the crank shaft sensor story makes me want to go change mine, now an other item to have worry about...thanks Tim.....and is their a miles change on the crank shaft sensor.....and where is the crank shaft sensor
beside the radiator...on the 4.0.......???
"Sounds like the crank shaft sensor finally went out. When the sensor starts to go out, it will die while driving down the road. Killing all power"

It's on the bottom of the motor, sitting right to one side of the pulley that turns the fan.

 

[RoyKelly2]

I’ll take electronic ignition and fuel injection any day. Magnitudes more robust then what they replaced.

Understood... I have installed injectors by each cylinder and installed an electronic distributor (Lied and told them I had a 98 F500 with a 390). The carb is now an air valve and now I can pass 3 or 4 gas stations as well as most wanna be muscle cars. Inow get almost 300 miles per fill up instead of 200