drumminfoolz

Basically, I think my ignition isn't firing because of a short somewhere. Here's a list of parts I've replaced:

ECM and PROM
Distributor Cap and Rotor
Pick-up Coil
Primary Coil (remote coil was installed years ago)
Ignition Switch
Ignition Module

I've done as many tests as I know to do, and seemingly all these parts are good. When I turn the car on, or even try to check for codes, there is no check engine light.

What I would like to know is if there are any other parts in the ignition system I don't know about, and if I've covered all the parts, then what the heck could be the problem? I've tried to read the wiring diagram in my Hayne's manual to see if I can trace the wires in the ignition system, but I don't know enough to try to do something like that. The problem would HAVE to be a bad wire somewhere right? Or am I wrong? I'm trying to do all I can to avoid shelling out money to take my car to a shop.

camaronewbie

I'm lost -

does the starter turn?
does the car start?
will the car start and run, but badly?

drumminfoolz

Yes the starter turns the motor over, the ignition just doesn't fire. I didn't mention that this problem is because of a mistake I made when working on the car - I didn't ground one of the ground straps. It was the one that goes from the firewall to the manifold on the passenger side.

92camaro350

have you tested for power and ground to the coil?

drumminfoolz

Power input to the coil is good, it's getting 12V with the car turned on. The coil also puts out 12V to the ignition module. Another thing, when I replaced the ignition switch, the old one had obviously burned up a little bit. And I wondered if it was just the switch itself that burned up, or if the plug going into the switch could be damaged too.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

If you've replaced all that... honestly... I'd just get one ofthose chinese ebay HEI distributors and see if a whole new dizzy will work. If it does, start swapping parts over to find the bad one.

marekdennhardt

take a spark plug wire off and stick a screwdriver in it. Turn the engine over and bring the screwdriver close to the engine block and check for spark.

If there is good spark then its not the ignition system

drumminfoolz

Well, I don't even think it's a part that's the problem. I've replaced all the electrical components in the ignition system, so that would mean there has to be a bad wire somewhere. That's what I need help with.

drumminfoolz

I've performed that test to check for spark before and after I replaced all those parts and got nothing. I've done some searches on here and apparently no one has had this problem and posted about it. So I really have nothing to go on except what I can figure out on my own.

camaronewbie

What about timing? What's it set at? I'm assuming this is a computer controlled carbed car, since you mentioned ecm - make sure to disconnect EST wire to check base timing. Has the dist been out? Are you sure you got it back in correctly on TDC compression stroke? Rechecked firing order? Tested continuity on all plug wires?

Is there fuel? Maybe not an ignition issue at all. I'm assuming a mechanical pump on the block - have you disconnected fuel line at the carb, and run it to a bucket, and make sure fuel is getting pumped when starter is turning over the car? Maybe spray some in the carb and try to start - see if she catches then. Take the carb top off and check to see that the bowls have fuel in them - maybe somethings clogged in the carb.

I don't know - just throwing ideas out there for you.

marekdennhardt

I had to replace the distributor to get spark when I first bought the car. It was like 20 bucks at a salvage yard.