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Cranks will not start, getting fuel, not spark

Tiny
RODOLFO ESPINO
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • 4.1L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
Car crank but will not start. It is receiving fuel but has not spark. Distributor gear, control module, radio capacitor (not related to music radio that is how it is called), pick up coil, ignition coil, rotor, cap have been replaced all brand new. And the car still not producing spark. Two mechanics have tried; one had no clue and the other one said the distributor body has a part other than the ones I have already replaced. He think it is called igniter. That it is like a crank sensor now in the cars. What else it could be other than what I have replaced? Maybe the primary ignition switch (not the ignition cylinder)?
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 2:23 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon.

Did they verify voltage to the distributor?

Did thy check the cap and rotor as well?

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
RODOLFO ESPINO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hello Roy,

12 volts going to distributor and cap and rotor have been checked ( even both were replaced one month ago) and are in good condition.
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 2:39 PM
Tiny
RODOLFO ESPINO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
What else it could be other than what I have replaced? Maybe the primary ignition switch (not the ignition cylinder)?
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 2:49 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay.

Did you verify no power to the plugs?

What kind of module, pick up and coil did you use?

Roy
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 2:50 PM
Tiny
RODOLFO ESPINO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
They use a spark plug tester (the two types) and the light in the spark plug tester never turn on or spark was produce by the car on the spark plug (the other type of spark plug tester). For the module, pick up and coil I used the originals by the car manufacturer (but new)?
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 3:01 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
He is going to have to start from scratch.

Test the pick up coil for proper resistance, should be around 1200 ohms. Take out the module and have a parts store test it. That is a free service.

Verify battery voltage to the distributor as well.

Roy
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 3:13 PM
Tiny
RODOLFO ESPINO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Okay. Do you know if the distributor has what one of the two mechanics said about the distributor having other part in addition of the ones that have been replaced? He said he think it is called the igniter and that it is like a crank sensor in years newer cars?
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 3:18 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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No, it either has a distributor or crank sensor, not both.
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
RODOLFO ESPINO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks Roy. One more question, the primary ignition switch ( not the ignition cylinder ) would have some to do in not getting spark?
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 3:36 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Yes, if it was not allowing power to the distributor.

Roy
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
RODOLFO ESPINO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for all Roy.
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Roy
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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 3:55 PM

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