Well I've been trying to get my 89 pick-up started. I first tried new cap,rotor and wires. Still no spark at plugs so I'm getting new coil this morning. No spark at old coil. What chance igniter is also bad. Truck ran fine the night before then nothing next morning. Fuses are good.I just hope coil is the problem.

 

Did you check for codes yet, Pete?

 

no but the coil didn't fix it. I'm going to try now .

 

you can check your coil when an ohm meter.

 

I checked the coil with my voltmeter it was okay .Old one and new one were within the cold specs . Both measured 0.4 cold. I realized I can't check codes because my truck has no ecm. I still won't start. I checked voltage @ coil plug and it was 9.5 volts when battery was 12 volts. I'm almost ready to do the unthinkable and get it towed to a shop

 

showing code 12 and 51 I have started another thread thanks rabbit . I jumped the Te 1 and E 1 in the diagnostic port and read the blinks. the first time I did it I used the clutch cancel button and got a code 51 than I tried it with the clutch depressed and got code 12 and 51.

 

You have no ECM? How is that possible?

(I've replied to your newer thread also.)

 

There is none there on the passenger fender. I read your reply on the other thread . I gave tnrabbit a call and told him and He help me with the codes . This my sound crazy but could a partially blocked cat cause this problem .

 

Well, if you're getting codes and the vehicle is even running you have an ECM. No other way. You have an EFI vehicle and it will go nowhere without one. Pass. fender? Yours would be behind the kickpanel on the pass. side floorboard, would it not?

A clogged cat will not cause ignition problems. Just running problems....bad ones, depending on how badly it's clogged. Plus, your O2 sensor would (should) pick up on that.

 

I ran outside in the snow in my slippers and I do have a ecm behind the kick plate passenger side . thanks what is my best approach?I had to patch my cat last week. Header pipe broke @ the flange @ the cat fixed it with a tin can muffler bandage and furnace cement. Truck ran great . Got a six hour trip on the patch.

 

The most common ignition problems I've seen are:
1) Inductive pickup is bad in the distributor. Open it up, there is a distance spec from the pickups on the rotor.

2) EFI fuse - coil should show 12v between either post and ground when ignition is ON.

The FSM has a pretty good section on troubleshooting "no spark".

 

I checked the efi fuse it tested okay but I have 11.58 volts@ battery and 9.5 volts at the coil plug

 

I'd check that pickup at the distributor. Corrosion is not a good sign.

 

You know, that code 51 can point to other things beside your TPS idl circuit. Have you an automatic or 5spd? Is there any chance you have gotten moisture at your ECM?

 

ecm is dry as a bone.

 

Spectacular! Test that distributor pickup....

 

Well I got a good night sleep and dived right in. I air gapped the p/u coil and came out with copper wire. The distributor is out of the truck now and I'm going to try to find one at the parts store or junkyard . If I can't I'm going to look online . I'll keep you posted.

 

Ah...a good night sleep. Got one myself...finally.

I had a strong feeling that was your problem. Check the link in my sig....see if he has one.

 

I ordered a new Distributor from Napa . I will have it @ 8:30 tomorrow.Now I gotta dig out my timing light. So I'll be already in the morning.

 

Super. (Isn't that a funny word?)