Low spark issue?!?
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: General Automotive Technical Discussion
Forum Description: Technical Automotive discussion of anything not specific to mid-size Ford/Merc
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=10682
Printed Date: 19-April-2024 at 12:21PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Low spark issue?!?
Posted By: Grantorinosport351
Subject: Low spark issue?!?
Date Posted: 14-April-2014 at 2:50PM
Ok, I found out I have a low spark problem on the falcon. I had about 15.5 volts going into the solenoid when running and the pos. side of the coil is hooked to the right post on the solenoid (the post closest to the starter side) and there is only about 10 volts coming out of that! We took a spark plug and put it into one of the wires while it was running, and it put out a very small little yellow spark, and some times it looked like it didn't spark! We did the same thing to my buds galaxie and it was a blue purple and the spark would jump like two inches to the hood hinge!! Can anyone give any advice, or maybe tell me what might be wrong?.......  I'm tired of dealing with this car running rough!!!------------- ~Bryan 72 gts h-code (formal roof) 67falcon 04 f250 ''the great white'' |
Replies:
Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 14-April-2014 at 3:42PM
|
There is a resistance wire for the ignition system that comes from the ignition switch and goes to the coil, it reduces nominal 12v (12-14.5V) to 7-9v so you won't burn up or overheat Ford's ignition components. Sounds like you have weak spark for sure, could the coil's wiring could be reversed (car will still run, just not good though, also will cause the weak spark output). Just a thought. Todd ------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: Grantorinosport351
Date Posted: 14-April-2014 at 3:49PM
|
Thanks, but how could the wiring be reversed? My friend said that you should be getting at least 14 volts to the coil, is that true? ------------- ~Bryan 72 gts h-code (formal roof) 67falcon 04 f250 ''the great white'' |
Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 14-April-2014 at 4:19PM
|
Ford's ignition coil require only 7-9 volts to obtain full output, if you feed it 12+ volts the coil will overheat. If you look at the coil there is a bat terminal and a dist. terminal, if these wires are reversed low spark output will result. This is assuming you are using a point style ignition, the later Duraspark horseshoe coil connector is almost a fool proof type of connection. If you have or are using a Duraspark ignition in place of points, you shouldn't have 12v at the coil while running(you should see full 12v at the BAT terminal when the key is in the start position only). You should still see 7-9v while engine running(or key in the run position), if you have 12v at the coil while running the coil will overheat and the Duraspark module will work erratically and/or shut down due to overheating. Please give some details, with pics if possible. Todd ------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: Grantorinosport351
Date Posted: 14-April-2014 at 4:23PM
|
Sorry I didn't put in a lot of detail, I'm running a msd electronic ignition with a blaster 2 coil. I'll try to get pics when I can, but the car is still at my buds house. ------------- ~Bryan 72 gts h-code (formal roof) 67falcon 04 f250 ''the great white'' |
Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 14-April-2014 at 4:38PM
|
I tried an MSD Blaster 2F coil with my factory Duraspark ignition, the coils spark output energy sucked big time(yellow spark with plug gapped at .030"). I installed a Jacobs ignition with a Jacobs Ultra coil, the spark output was at least 3 times that of the MSD coil and I was able to open the plug gap to .045"(probably could have went to .060" with the output I saw). The Jacobs crapped out finally(had it 15 years) and then I installed a Crane HI-6 with an LX-92 coil, if you pull a plug wire off and the ignition "bites" you, you will piss your pants and forget your name for a moment or two. Try a different coil, and wire it by the coil manufacturers recommendations. The 2F was a direct replacement(albeit a sorry, lower performing coil compared to a factory Duraspark coil) so the horseshoe connector fit it. Good luck. Todd ------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 14-April-2014 at 5:41PM
|
todd is right, it sounds like your coil, that's probably your popping problem you had earlier , disconnect the pos. wire from the coil and turn the key to the run position, and see exactily how much voltage you have there? should be about 8 volts +/- if you have like 6 your problem may be in the resistance wire?
------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: antlerfiend
Date Posted: 14-April-2014 at 9:41PM
|
Also make sure that you have an external resistor coil. If you have an internal resister coil like your buddy, it will not work with low voltage. ------------- Alex 72 GTS (Morgan's Baby) 68 CJ Drag Car Clone 65 Mustang (first car) 77 LTD II (Drag Car) 78 Mustang II V6 4 speed |