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I have a perplexed dalema with a 1988 mustang 5.0 with no spark. i changed distributor and all parts related. i changed harness, coil and checked fuses . heres what i found the car is 88, the engine is 87 t bird, and harness is for 89 with mass air . please help me try to figure out this ridiculous riddle.
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Did you test any of those parts before you replaced them ? Have you checked the cap, coil, and distributor yet ? The distributor has a module and a pickup coil inside that could be faulty. Is the check engine light on ?
Undo the retainer bolt and lift the distributor out. Mark the rotor position and the distributor position in relation the block at the base. You will need to press the shaft out to replace the pickup, do not dmage the drive gear on the shaft.
i assume you have checked to make sure that the distributor is turn while cranking.if not then you have a broken timing belt,if it is turning then you probably have a bad pickup coil in the distributor.the wires that come out of the distributor that plug into a harness is part of the pickup coil.if you follow the wires into the distributor it will take you to the pickup coil itself this is the part that needs to be replaced.i trust that you checked to for battery voltage to the coil.
I am experincing the same problems with my 1988 jeep Cherokee 4.0. It died coming home one day,I replaced the motor and it turns over but gets no fire. I have repaced the control module, and distributor brand new my coil is testing good. I am wondering if it is my ECU also. The plug coming off distributor has one wire showing bright on test light, and one showing a dim light on test light and was wondering if you have checked these wires? Trying to figure out what will make these both shine bright.
FIRING ORDERS NOTE: To avoid confusion, remove and tag the spark plug wires one at a time, for replacement.
If a distributor is not keyed for installation with only one orientation, it could have been removed previously and rewired. The resultant wiring would hold the correct firing order, but could change the relative placement of the plug towers in relation to the engine. For this reason it is imperative that you label all wires before disconnecting any of them. Also, before removal, compare the current wiring with the accompanying illustrations. If the current wiring does not match, make notes in your book to reflect how your engine is wired.
Fig. 1: 1988-95 4.3L Engines
Firing Order: 1-6-5-4-3-2
Distributor Rotation: Clockwise
Fig. 2: 1996-98 4.3L Engines
Firing Order: 1-6-5-4-3-2
Distributor Rotation: Clockwise
Fig. 3: 1988-95 5.7L and 7.4L Engines
Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Distributor Rotation: Clockwise
Fig. 3: 1996-98 5.7L and 7.4L Engines
Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Distributor Rotation: Clockwise
Check the leads on the pickup coil under the plate in the distributor. If one breaks the distributor needs to come out, lower gear needs to come off and shaft removed to get to it (not really that hard). If the leads are good then the module mounted on the plate needs to be changed. (there is no valid test for that part except to replace)
At the age of you Jeep I would be looking at a worn ignition switch (The part that turns when you turn the key).They wear out causing a very intermitant connection some times it works and some times it doesn't ,Going over a small bump in the road is often enough to break the connection causing the engine to stop. Start the engine and try gently wiggling the key and see if it dies..... Hope this helps.
Inside the distributor car is a small rotor that spins. It may be corroted, causing it not to fire the plugs. They are only a few dollars at a parts store (around $5-$10.) It comes right off.
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