no spark

[jeremy]

im back again with my 99 mustang v6, i was driving down the road when i accelerated hard to pass a slow car and when i let go of the gas pedal the whole car turned off. i cruised it to a nearest gas station and parked it. i first noticed smoke coming from under the hood, to find out it was just power steering squirting out onto the headers. but i tried starting it and all it does is crank. checked the for codes on the cars and came back with P0320 (P0320 FORD – Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit Malfunction)
i changed the coil pack and crankshaft sensor but no luck, i also noticed it has a faint spark at times but most of the time it has none, also when i let go of the key after trying to start it , it chokes like it wants to start but doesn’t. i really need this car started so i can pass smog.

Topic

[Mathieu]

Did you checked your battery and alternator power whit a multimeter ? Then did you checked your spark plug and then your spark plug wiring ?
It’s the first thing to do before buying something. Also, you might check your throttle wire to see if all two wire are not lose. At the end the camshaft.

[college man]

see if this link helps.

http://www.justanswer.com/ford/31vfi-p0320-ignition-engine-speed-pip-input-circuit-fault-how.html

[Mathieu]

I saw this video about misfire. This video is to see link.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgrfT0LFMhc[/video]

[SDMAN1981]

Just for shits and grins I would check the ignition control module..

[jeremy]

i’ve been at this all day couldn’t find anything, im thinking its the PCM

[Dustin Hicks]

[quote=”jermdogg” post=47855]i’ve been at this all day couldn’t find anything, im thinking its the PCM[/quote]

Don’t jump on the PCM just yet. First ensure the battery is fully charged. Then try this procedure (you will need to make the LED test tool.): http://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_ignition_module/distributor_mounted_module_1.php

Good luck and let us know.

[jeremy]

isnt the ICM in the PCM?

[Dustin Hicks]

[quote=”jermdogg” post=47933]isnt the ICM in the PCM?[/quote]
Usually, it isn’t. just a small black box near the coil pack. should look similar to this:

Attachments:

• ignitioncontrolmodule.gif

[jeremy]

i just checked but didnt see anything other then the coil pack and the wiring harness that goes to the passenger fender that goes to the pcm

[Dustin Hicks]

[quote=”jermdogg” post=47945]i just checked but didnt see anything other then the coil pack and the wiring harness that goes to the passenger fender that goes to the pcm[/quote]

I checked deeper and it turns out you’re correct. This particular model apparently could be either way, depending on if it is distributorless ignition or not.

So I dug into my diagnostics for this car/engine and a P0320 code. I found this:
Trouble Code Conditions:
Engine started, and the PCM detected 2 or more successive erratic PIP signals during testing.
Possible Causes:
Inspect for problems with an Aftermarket 2-way radio
Inspect for signs of “arcing” at one or more of the ignition coils
Crankshaft position Sensor (CKP) has failed. (Test sensor for power, ground and signal. Also check wiring and connectors to ICM for corrosion or damage) (Distributorless models)
Ignition control module (ICM) has failed (Distributorless models)

to check CKP and PCM/ICM:
on the coil pack: look for 12v at the coil pack connector on the red/light green wire. If missing, check the Central Junction Box fuses. look for grounds turning off/on on the dark blue/light green, red/light blue, and pink/white wires.
on the PCM. look for signals on pin 21 (dark blue wire, CKP+) and on pin 22 (gray wire, CKP-)

[jeremy]

i tried checking the ckp and the cam senors for power but didnt get anything, i even tried it while someone cranking the car but no change. and what does “aftermarket 2 way radio” mean? i checked the coil pack plug and i get power, i also pulled out a spark plug wire from a spark plug and connected a another to ground and tried cranking the car but nothing happens but once or twice i seen a very faint spark with the new coil pack.

[Dustin Hicks]

[quote=”jermdogg” post=48054]i tried checking the ckp and the cam senors for power but didnt get anything, i even tried it while someone cranking the car but no change. and what does “aftermarket 2 way radio” mean? i checked the coil pack plug and i get power, i also pulled out a spark plug wire from a spark plug and connected a another to ground and tried cranking the car but nothing happens but once or twice i seen a very faint spark with the new coil pack.[/quote]

A aftermarket 2 way radio is most commonly a CB radio, or similar.

IF this is a distributorless ignition system (DIS), all you have are CKP and cam sensors to the PCM. Then the PCM fires the coil packs.

At the coil pack connector, connect a meter set for AC volts between the dark blue/light green, red/light blue, pink/white wires and ground one at a time and look for a voltage while someone cranks the engine. No voltage on those wires says the PCM isn’t telling the coils to fire.

At the PCM, connect a meter set for AC volts between pin 21(dark blue wire, CKP+) and pin 22(gray wire, CKP-). You should read a voltage while someone cranks the engine. If there is no voltage, the CKP signal isn’t getting to the PCM, or isn’t being generated (bad CKP). If you get an AC voltage, and no voltage out of the PCM to the coil packs, the PCM is likely bad. It will have to be replaced (to the tune of several hundred dollars).

Good luck, and let us know.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I believe this truck uses the same system. I think you could use the information in this video to help find the cause of the no spark.

[jeremy]

thanks eric, but i dont have a distributor also do u think my 1999 mustang v6 has an ignition module? i saw that looks like a “computer” on the inside of the passenger side fender, but idk what it really is.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Even though it doesn’t have a distributor you can still test the ignition module in the same way. You’re looking for the ignition primary signal like in the video.

[Author]

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