No Spark, Tach moves to 400 RPM (Page 1/2)
willyt NOV 27, 03:29 PM
There are many posts on this topic, but because I am new at this, I am not able to find the information I need. I have an 86 2.8 that will crank but won't start. I tested spark using the screwdriver method and got no spark. I then checked the tach and it moves to 400 and stays there like it should. I performed the ohm test on the ignition coil and the pickup coil and they both tested good, but I heard that these aren't the most accurate tests. I tested 12v at the ignition coil, but when i tested the ignition coil for spark using the screwdriver method, i got no spark. Does this mean my ignition coil is in fact bad? Are there other tests I should be performing or other components I should be looking at? Thanks in advance for the help.
Gall757 NOV 27, 03:51 PM
What is the 'screwdriver' method? (it sounds old-school.. )

Did you try starting fluid?
willyt NOV 27, 03:52 PM
Stick a screwdriver in the end of a plug wire or the wire from ignition coil to distributer and place the screwdriver close to a ground point. It should spark between the screwdriver and ground.
willyt NOV 27, 06:09 PM
I assume if my tach moves, it's an issue with in the secondary ignition? Which means if i dont get spark from the wire running from the ignition coil to the distributer then the coil is bad? Does anyone who knows more about this have any input on this assumption?
Gall757 NOV 27, 08:36 PM
check the connectors on the coil for a problem, but you are probably right. If you try starting fluid and it does nothing, then there is surely no spark.
Patrick NOV 27, 09:22 PM

quote
Originally posted by willyt:

Stick a screwdriver in the end of a plug wire or the wire from ignition coil to distributer and place the screwdriver close to a ground point. It should spark between the screwdriver and ground.



And it should easily be able to "SNAP" across a quarter inch gap.
willyt NOV 27, 11:33 PM
Does anyone know what order the process happens in also labeled in primary and secondary? My understanding is that the signal travels from the rotor to the ignition control module to the ignition coil as a part of the primary ignition. I am very unfamiliar with this topic and i would like to test for spark in order of where it should be coming from. I definitely don't have spark at the ignition coil but is that the first component in the secondary part of the system?
Patrick NOV 28, 01:36 AM

quote
Originally posted by willyt:

I definitely don't have spark at the ignition coil but is that the first component in the secondary part of the system?



If you haven't got spark at the coil, it's not going to be anywhere else.
willyt NOV 28, 09:54 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

If you haven't got spark at the coil, it's not going to be anywhere else.



This would mean that the ignition coil would be the first component in the secondary ignition circuit correct? As in nothing in the secondary ignition circuit would cause the ignition coil to not spark?
Dennis LaGrua NOV 29, 04:43 AM
No spark on the 2.8L can be attributed to three main causes; Ignition module (most common), coil, or shorted tach filter.

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