Off Road SHO
Moderator
It might, I'm not familiar with rpm reading timing lights.
Tom
Tom
914-SHO Project Thread
- Thread starter 3d914
- Start date
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intimdatr
Got Cams?
I believe to run a timing light and check the marks you need to pull the spout, Should set the motor at 10 degrees? and go from there.
OK, Identified what I thought might have been the issue with no spark on come cyls - a ground wire to the block was loose. Tightened it up but no change. Here's what I'm getting by just using the timing light on each wire:
That rules out the sides of the coil pack - right? Which means its likely plugs - I'm guessing.
Thoughts?
- No spark
- No spark
- intermittent spark
- continuous spark
- continuous spark
- continuous spark
That rules out the sides of the coil pack - right? Which means its likely plugs - I'm guessing.
Thoughts?
Unsure how this helps. This is test procedure for DIS on a 4cylinder ranger. It is basic system as the SHO but 2 4plug coil packs. Maybe some of the writeup will help. If I find a writeup for the SHO I will repost. Maurice.
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford/ignition_module/2.3L/ignition_module_test_3.php
Edit this maybe better one for the 3.0.
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/index_ford_3.0L_3.8L/index_of_articles_1.php
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford/ignition_module/2.3L/ignition_module_test_3.php
Edit this maybe better one for the 3.0.
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/index_ford_3.0L_3.8L/index_of_articles_1.php
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since you have spark on 4,5,6 consistently, but not on the first 3, that suggests to me that something is not wired right.
the 3 coils fire pairs of spark plugs each time, so if you get spark on 5, you also have to have spark on 1 if the system is wired right.
I would re-check your plug wiring and wiring to the DIS.
the 3 coils fire pairs of spark plugs each time, so if you get spark on 5, you also have to have spark on 1 if the system is wired right.
I would re-check your plug wiring and wiring to the DIS.
Off Road SHO
Moderator
I think you should check your compression first. Don't need to warm it up first, just take out all spark plugs, wire open the throttle body, put a battery charger on Engine Start on your battery and crank it over at least 4 compression pulses on each cylinder. Since you are having the trouble on one bank, I'd be willing to bet it's a cam timing problem. You get weak spark on cylinders with low compression.
Tom
Tom
I'll have to order an extension for my compression gauge. Everytime I try to do it with just the hose I have problems getting it back out cause the hose just wants to spin.
I also just went through all the connections between the DIS and the Coil and they checked out OK.
I know the timings right. I took pics so I wouldn't forget. I also know the Cam sensor shutter is on correctly since it only fits one way.
Front cams and crank.
Left head - rear marks
Right head - rear marks
I also just went through all the connections between the DIS and the Coil and they checked out OK.
I know the timings right. I took pics so I wouldn't forget. I also know the Cam sensor shutter is on correctly since it only fits one way.
Front cams and crank.
Left head - rear marks
Right head - rear marks
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Tom, how is the compression going to make the plug not spark?
in my experience, a low compression cylinder may have a stronger spark, but not a weak spark, 'cause its easier for the spark to jump the air gap.
in my experience, a low compression cylinder may have a stronger spark, but not a weak spark, 'cause its easier for the spark to jump the air gap.
intimdatr
Got Cams?
I always thought that it would be trying to spark at the wrong times of the stroke and that would cause problems. Sort of noticed it why trying to tune an old Carb'd 914.
I made a fitting to change valve stem seals on my MG. I knocked out the center of the sparkplug and welded in a 1/4" or 3/8" pipe steel coupling to it. Then hooked to air to hold valve up to change valve stem. Can you take old spark plug and make something this way for compression gauge. Maurice
Off Road SHO
Moderator
Just from reading up the problem I had with this Vulcan 3.0.
As for the compression tester spinning; you might try adding some crimp at the hose fitting and smearing a little vaseline on the o-ring. Helps a lot, I had the same problem with this Vulcan.
Tom
As for the compression tester spinning; you might try adding some crimp at the hose fitting and smearing a little vaseline on the o-ring. Helps a lot, I had the same problem with this Vulcan.
Tom
Just clarify - I'm not getting any spark on #1 & #2 cyls. #3 Cyl is intermittent. So its got to be something preventing the spark from getting to those wires.
If it were timing, then the video I made earlier would have sounded like crap. So what ever has happened, it has degraded significantly since then.
I tried new plugs in those three cyls and no difference. I also tried a different PCM, again with no difference. So aside from the PCM, it has to be related to DIS, Coil, or wires - right?
I checked impedence on those three wires and they were similar to the others that are working. All were well under the 30K limit.
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kevinspann
Don't take my advice.
I'm going to go with DIS or the wiring for it.
Thanks to the idea from Maurice - I went back to the manual and they have an elaborate system function test that indicates if you're not getting continuous spark on all cylinders to use an air gap spark tester at the coil.
In looking for the tester I also found simplified instructions for testing the Ford DIS system coil pack.
I'm also going to double-check the wiring and output from the cam sensor. The odd thing about the sensors is that their not throwing codes. Do I need to run it for a minimum time before I'll get CEL codes?
Also, I can't find instructions/test method for pulling SPOUT connector off. Doesn't this fix the timing rate? But does it bypass the DIS signal?
In looking for the tester I also found simplified instructions for testing the Ford DIS system coil pack.
I'm also going to double-check the wiring and output from the cam sensor. The odd thing about the sensors is that their not throwing codes. Do I need to run it for a minimum time before I'll get CEL codes?
Also, I can't find instructions/test method for pulling SPOUT connector off. Doesn't this fix the timing rate? But does it bypass the DIS signal?
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intimdatr
Got Cams?
Yes, I gapped it when I installed it but it would be worth checking if pulling the SPOUT plug fails to help.
Edit: Checked the gap since the SPOUT failed to make a difference. Set at .03" roughly.
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Off Road SHO
Moderator
Make sure your DIS is grounded to the negative terminal and so is the engine block, then..
Time to test your coil pack. Put a VOM across the red lead's pin and the second pin, write down what resistance you get. With one lead still on the red's pin, put the other lead on the next pin, write it down, and then do the final pin. All three coils should be pretty close in value. If all three are close go to next step.
Test plug wires for very low resistance, write down what each cylinder's value is. I think the longest wire will be about 20 ohms.
You can also swap a plug wire straight across the coil pack on these Wasted Spark systems. If the non-firing condition follows the plug wire, well there you have it.
I still think you should check your compression.
Tom
Time to test your coil pack. Put a VOM across the red lead's pin and the second pin, write down what resistance you get. With one lead still on the red's pin, put the other lead on the next pin, write it down, and then do the final pin. All three coils should be pretty close in value. If all three are close go to next step.
Test plug wires for very low resistance, write down what each cylinder's value is. I think the longest wire will be about 20 ohms.
You can also swap a plug wire straight across the coil pack on these Wasted Spark systems. If the non-firing condition follows the plug wire, well there you have it.
I still think you should check your compression.
Tom
rbruso
unlikely
And if you get to the point of needing to try known good parts, I have spares of most of the parts of the ignition system laying around.
