[maxgst]

Hey everybody

I just finished swapping a 5.0 from a 1987 fox into a non-mustang, so I had to hack up the wiring.

At this point im getting ready to start her, but I am not getting spark.

My understanding is that in the distributor the PIP sends a pulsating signal to the ICM, which in turn sends that same signal to the coil, which translates it into spark that gets delibered to the distributor's cap. Which splits it among the spark plugs.

I need to test where the no-spark starts, so my question is, is there a way to test this without having to keep cranking the engine over and over? Can I take the distributor off and hand spin it, disconnect the starter, and have someone crank it to send the signal to the ECU?

 

[93Bandit]

If I had to guess, I don't think you could turn it over fast enough to get a spark but I suppose theoretically it is possible. Of course this is assuming all the wiring you did is correct.

Why not use the starter? You shouldn't have to crank it over for any extended period of time to check for spark at the various ignition components. If you're getting spark to the point being tested, the engine will only need to turn over a few times to send the spark.

---------- Post added at 10:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:46 PM ----------

In case you did the wiring without diagrams, here is the ignition system wiring for a 93 5.0L (not sure what year yours is, but should be very similar if not the same).

As long as you have the appropriate power and ground to all the components, along with correct pin to pin wiring between components, it should all work fine (assuming you kept all the factory engine control components).





Hope this helps.

 

[wbrockstar]

Did you keep the ecm/wiring speed density,which is how an 87 is setup,or did you convert it to mass air?? If youre running a maf sensor on it,its converted.
Can you hear the fuel pump priming for a few seconds, when you turn the key to run??
Do the following to verify whether its a no spark issue or no fuel issue.
1) pull the breather tube(between the oil fill neck & throttle body
2)spray starting fluid or carb cleaner into the tb breather port
3)push the tube back onto the tb then attempt a startup.
If it doesnt start at all,its a no spark issue
If it starts & runs for a few seconds then dies,its a no fuel issue.
Try this::locate the spout plug(tied into the wiring harness of the tfi module)&
remove it.Try to start the engine.If it starts up,thats an indication of a bad pip sensor,located inside the distributer.
The tfi controls timing when the key is in the crank position.


Since youve got the engine in a non Mustang,did you reuse the oem neg battery cable & eec ground wire/pigtail that was on the Mustang?? Youve gotta use the oem cable because it has a separate 12ga wire that bolts to the fender apron then forks off into a black,tubular connecter that plugs into a matching connecter,on the main ecm wiring harness that deadends near the starter relay.These connecters plug in to each another.This wire is called the eec ground & its the main power ground for the eec relay & ecm.The car wont start without it.
The following links are sbftech's & stangnets
EFI No Start link.
Either link will help you trace the fault down.


How to Solve an EFI No Start


Cranks OK, but No Start Checklist for Fuel Injected Mustangs | Mustang Forums at StangNet