88 Fiero 2.8 L - no spark

[formulanut]

Just got a nice 88 Formula... No spark at coil.. replaced pickup in
distributor ( all corroded) ..still no spark... replaced coil.. no spark..
then replaced ignition module. They tested old module and showed good but
I replaced anyhow, but used a non-GM module from autoparts store. Have
10.6 V on both terminals of lead going to ignition module at distributor (
I belive they are the + and C terminals in a manual I looked at - these
are the left side plugin at dist). Supposedly if I have voltage here 10.6
or higher - module bad...any suggestions?? Thanks

[Phil Randolph]

See if your rocker arms move when you crank the engine over - ( shot
timing chain)

Post by formulanut
Just got a nice 88 Formula... No spark at coil.. replaced pickup in
distributor ( all corroded) ..still no spark... replaced coil.. no spark..
then replaced ignition module. They tested old module and showed good but
I replaced anyhow, but used a non-GM module from autoparts store. Have
10.6 V on both terminals of lead going to ignition module at distributor (
I belive they are the + and C terminals in a manual I looked at - these
are the left side plugin at dist). Supposedly if I have voltage here 10.6
or higher - module bad...any suggestions?? Thanks

[JazzMan]

Post by formulanut
Just got a nice 88 Formula... No spark at coil.. replaced pickup in
distributor ( all corroded) ..still no spark... replaced coil.. no spark..
then replaced ignition module. They tested old module and showed good but
I replaced anyhow, but used a non-GM module from autoparts store. Have
10.6 V on both terminals of lead going to ignition module at distributor (
I belive they are the + and C terminals in a manual I looked at - these
are the left side plugin at dist). Supposedly if I have voltage here 10.6
or higher - module bad...any suggestions?? Thanks

Check the pigtail that runs from the coil to the distributor.

JazzMan

[formulanut]

Jazzman - have voltage of 10.6+ at end closest to dist... does this rule
out pigtail probelm...could the new module be bad.. the people at garage I
knew said they had a lot of problems with replacement modules being
defective if not a good quality??

[John Craker]

What he's saying, is pull off the pigtail from the coil to the distributor,
and check for continuity - the wire's take a really sharp bend as they exit
the coil, and they tend to fracture there.

And yes, non Delco/GM modules have been know to die early. Usually not out
of the box though.

And you've confirmed the rotor is actually turning while you're cranking it,
right?

Post by formulanut
Jazzman - have voltage of 10.6+ at end closest to dist... does this rule
out pigtail probelm...could the new module be bad.. the people at garage I
knew said they had a lot of problems with replacement modules being
defective if not a good quality??

[formulanut]

The rotor turns when cranking... the Tach reads 0 when cranking. Another
message I read said the tach should register 300 to 400 RPM when cranking
or there is no spark. Tried "Tapping" on ECM with screwdriver also...
Pulled Pigtail off coil and continuity OK when moving ends around..

[Phil Randolph]

Just for fun try disconnecting your tach filter( the little silver can
thing).

Post by formulanut
The rotor turns when cranking... the Tach reads 0 when cranking. Another
message I read said the tach should register 300 to 400 RPM when cranking
or there is no spark. Tried "Tapping" on ECM with screwdriver also...
Pulled Pigtail off coil and continuity OK when moving ends around..

[formulanut]

Unplugged Tach filter - this was mounted right behind coil on coil
bracket.. this was more of a blueish color - about 1 and 1/2 inch long
with 2 white wires coming out to connector at valve cover? Anyhow no luck
if I unplugged right thing...

[Phil Randolph]

That's the critter but guess it didn't help

Post by formulanut
Unplugged Tach filter - this was mounted right behind coil on coil
bracket.. this was more of a blueish color - about 1 and 1/2 inch long
with 2 white wires coming out to connector at valve cover? Anyhow no luck
if I unplugged right thing...

[JazzMan]

Post by formulanut
The rotor turns when cranking... the Tach reads 0 when cranking. Another
message I read said the tach should register 300 to 400 RPM when cranking
or there is no spark. Tried "Tapping" on ECM with screwdriver also...
Pulled Pigtail off coil and continuity OK when moving ends around..

Tach reading zero is a classic sign of a dead module. Even
with a dead ECM the tach will read when cranking as long
as the wiring is good from the module to the coil and from
there to the dash.

JazzMan

[formulanut]

Got parts store to give me another module even though the one I bought
tested OK.... still no luck.. Also checked for voltage at pigtail to dist
when cranking in case ign switch issue - all OK... Guess I will have to
tow to shop which is KILLING me... my dist magnets and post were very
dirty also from pickup I had replaced( I took emory cloth and cleaned best
I could)may wait to see what suggestions are posted to the one in Canada
before I tow. Also for what its worth.. I have an 88 with a 87 ignition -
evidently which is not unusal for GM I hear. A 88 showed a crank sensor
which I do not have and a different coil set up from what I have in the
schematic I was looking at at in my friends shop ... anyhow will post
results when fixed

[Les Benn]

Have you checked the pickup coil?

Post by formulanut
Got parts store to give me another module even though the one I bought
tested OK.... still no luck.. Also checked for voltage at pigtail to dist
when cranking in case ign switch issue - all OK... Guess I will have to
tow to shop which is KILLING me... my dist magnets and post were very
dirty also from pickup I had replaced( I took emory cloth and cleaned best
I could)may wait to see what suggestions are posted to the one in Canada
before I tow. Also for what its worth.. I have an 88 with a 87 ignition -
evidently which is not unusal for GM I hear. A 88 showed a crank sensor
which I do not have and a different coil set up from what I have in the
schematic I was looking at at in my friends shop ... anyhow will post
results when fixed

[John Craker]

As an addendum to the below... a meter should read about 750 across the
pickup coil.

Post by Les Benn
Have you checked the pickup coil?

[JazzMan]

Post by formulanut
Got parts store to give me another module even though the one I bought
tested OK.... still no luck.. Also checked for voltage at pigtail to dist
when cranking in case ign switch issue - all OK... Guess I will have to
tow to shop which is KILLING me... my dist magnets and post were very
dirty also from pickup I had replaced( I took emory cloth and cleaned best
I could)may wait to see what suggestions are posted to the one in Canada
before I tow. Also for what its worth.. I have an 88 with a 87 ignition -
evidently which is not unusal for GM I hear. A 88 showed a crank sensor
which I do not have and a different coil set up from what I have in the
schematic I was looking at at in my friends shop ... anyhow will post
results when fixed

The 2.8s all came with the same ignition and fuel system. Only
the '87-88 L4 cars were DIS which uses a crank sensor.

JazzMan