Bad Signal Generator/Pick-Up Coil in the Distributor?

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J

JBBenson

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My 62, whom I have grown to really like, failed to start this morning. Cranks just fine but doesn't catch at all.

EFI relay is fine
Circuit open relay is good
Jumped at the check connector, fuel pump is working fine
Coil and ignitor are getting juice from the battery, primary and secondary
Yes, tank has gas in it.

Then again:
Signal generator (pick-up coil)* plug failed second continuity test NE-G.
No spark detected (using a timing light while cranking)
Jumped at the check connector, got a code 12 (distributor circuit, starter signal circuit, ECU)

The distributor cap was burned inside where the wire from the coil comes in. Distributor also looks original, pretty crusty.

My diagnosis is bad distributor and associated wiring. Or could it be the ECU still? Funny, as it was running perfectly the day before. Didn't know parking would be so hard on it.

Any other ideas?

*I assume they are the same thing. Am I wrong?
 
I doubt a flaky pickup would lead to a burned cap. Try a new cap and rotor along with cleaning out the crud in the dizzy. I'm sure the pickup can be tested but it might require an oscilliscope to see if its putting out a good signal.
 
Pick Up Sensor

Oddly enough I had the same problem a few years back on my '87 - the only time my truck has no-kidding broke down on me.

Completely concur with replacing the cap and any other low cost parts that are replaceables - ignitor, pick up assy do not fit this category, they are costly.

I troubleshot all ignition components that I could and finally narrowed it down to the pick up assembly - the magnet part.

If you are confident that the pick up assy is bad you can spring for a new one; about $120 if I remember correctly.

I ended up replacing with a the Crane optical pick up and haven't had a problem since.

Good luck, Gordo
 
All evidence points to bad pick up coil, so will try a new one. While I am at it will do cap, rotor, and new wires as well.

Thanks for all the advice, will post with results, maybe they will help someone else.

I have gotten alot of help from this site, wish there was a IH8MUD for all of life's problems....!
 
Was NOT the pick-up coil.

Have now replaced ignition module (ignitor), has spark but still does not start.

Jumping at check plug gives fuel pump noises. Perhaps the fuel pump is on the way out? Do they fail suddenly? Or is there a critical voltage, under which it cannot build enough pressure, even though it is "working"?

May be a coincidence that ignitor and pump failed at the same time? I would swear that it is an electrical problem, although I have had no electrical problems so far with this rig.

According to all checks vis-a-vis FSM, this rig should start. It's got spark and got gas...WTF?

Is there a relay that I am overlooking? One under the dash?
 
UPDATE: 11.03.06

Turns out it was the distributor after all. Signal generator I guess.

Truck now starts and runs, but very little power. Timing is correct. It has a brand new fuel filter.

FPR? TPS? Fuel pump? Something else?

Any ideas?
 
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