No spark from distributor

Tiny
CHANCY
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 DODGE COLT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 128,000 MILES
I drove car to work, ran fine. Got in it to come home, wouldnt start. Checked for spark from distributor and there wasnt any. Repair books and part store guys all agreed it was the coil. Cant buy just the coil, had to buy whole distributor. Replaced distributor and still no spark. Repair book says next option is the power transistor. Is this what is wrong? I am getting gas to cylinders, I have looked for this power transistor and cant find it. Do you know where it is?
Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 5:56 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the black and white wire, 2 wire connector at the coil for battery voltage. And also at the distributor 6 wire harness-Do you have it?
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
CHANCY
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
There is no voltage in the 2 wire black and white. In the 6 wire plug I have voltage on #3, 4, 5, pins. I did this check with key on. Was this correct?
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Disconnect an injector harness connector and check the red wire for power. If there's no power here best inspect and test MPI control relay it powers the injector to include the 6 pin connector at the distributor.

The 2 wire at the coil side on the black and white wire-the ignition switch powers it.
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
CHANCY
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No voltage at injectoer red wire. If there is no voltage at black and white wire for coil, does this mean my ignition switch is bad? Where is the MPI?
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
CHANCY
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I have no power to the red wire at the injectors. Could you please tell me where the MPI control relay is? And if I dont have power at the black and white wire at the coil, is the ignition switch bad, Or does the relay control it to?
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The relay is behind the center console near the automatic transmission control unit.
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
CHANCY
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
My car is a standard. Would it be behind the center console any way. Thanks.
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
RAYGRACE3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Did you ever get it figured out? I have an 1989 and it is having the same problem. No spark! Need help ASAP!
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Monday, April 30th, 2018 AT 10:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
It sounds like to me you have a MFI relay that is not working. Here is a guide to help you run a test:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Here is the relay location and engine wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works.

Check out the diagrams (below).

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, May 4th, 2018 AT 11:19 AM

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