Classic Mustangs (Tech) Technical discussions about the Mustangs of yester-year.

Engine not firing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 17, 2016 | 09:56 AM
  #1  
Mustang MN's Avatar
Mustang MN
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 7
From: Minnesota
Default Engine not firing

Car: New 302 crate motor with all new accessories. (starter, alternator, MSD pro billet distributor, etc) 850 miles on it.
Problem: wont fire, cranks perfectly. went out last night drove fine, ran fine, a few stops here and there, started fine.
Problem is it will not start now? (following morning) like I said, its turning over just fine. just no spark?

the only issue I can think of is the shifter for transmission is really F***ed..
it is not stable. hard to shift into gear, not stiff, it's really loose.
could this cause a problem? transmission cause engine not to start?


if not any help would be appreciated.

sorry if not posted in proper thread.
Old Sep 17, 2016 | 07:50 PM
  #2  
MonsterBilly's Avatar
MonsterBilly
4th Gear Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,676
From: Goodyear, AZ
Default

when you installed the distributor, did you remove and or bypass the resistor. Unless im mistaken that dizzy requires 12v of power. If you use the stock wire, it may only be getting 9v.

just a thought. maybe try to run a jumper wire off of the battery side of the solenoid directly to the dizzy and see if it fires..

otherwise, it sounds like a ignition switch issue
Old Sep 17, 2016 | 11:33 PM
  #3  
Gun Jam's Avatar
Gun Jam
6th Gear Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,212
From: Hills of California
Default

are you running the MSD a6 box as well?
Old Sep 18, 2016 | 03:49 PM
  #4  
Mustang MN's Avatar
Mustang MN
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 7
From: Minnesota
Default

Thanks for the input guys,
GUN JAM: No A6 box required, everything is in distributor.
Monster billy: has 12V

Initially car would crank,(yesterday morning). tried yesterday after work. not cranking at all.
checked everything through electrical system. everything is in good working order.
or seems to be..
As stated in initial post: transmission shifter is wonky. (C4 trans), sometimes really hard to shift into gear, sometimes works fine. I am now leaning towards the Neutral safety switch.
the symptoms match a bad switch.

Looks like my next upgrade: AOD-E
Old Sep 18, 2016 | 05:50 PM
  #5  
Gun Jam's Avatar
Gun Jam
6th Gear Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,212
From: Hills of California
Default

So if you pull the boot off the coil and place a grounded object like a wrench about 1" above the coil and crank it over will spark jump from the coil to the wrench? Its is large and bright?

Bad coils can provide weak and intermittent spark as they die.

I would check for that next as its easy and cheap and a good next step in the process of elimination
Old Sep 18, 2016 | 06:54 PM
  #6  
bigred59's Avatar
bigred59
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 43
From: AZ
Default

I also think it might be the neutral safety switch. Try jiggling the shifter handle while cranking it over to see if that lets it start. If not try the direct 12v trick to narrow down the problem.
Old Sep 18, 2016 | 09:21 PM
  #7  
jwog666's Avatar
jwog666
5th Gear Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,260
From: wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by bigred59
I also think it might be the neutral safety switch. Try jiggling the shifter handle while cranking it over to see if that lets it start. If not try the direct 12v trick to narrow down the problem.
it wouldnt crank if it was a neutral switch. check basics, is the carb getting fuel? is there strong spark? is the distributor locked down, or did it turn on you? and remember........just because the parts are new, doesnt mean the parts are good.
Old Sep 19, 2016 | 09:22 AM
  #8  
Mustang MN's Avatar
Mustang MN
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 7
From: Minnesota
Default

So Yea, it is the neutral safety switch. shifted through the gears a couple times turned the key and she started right up.

So still leaning towards the AOD.

Thanks for all the input everyone.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ranger90
V6 (1994-2004) Mustangs
1
Jul 21, 2016 03:35 PM
my65coupe
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
3
Jul 3, 2016 06:56 AM
Frank Bullitt
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
4
Jul 1, 2016 02:39 PM
tlicitra
Classic Mustangs (Tech)
7
Jul 1, 2016 12:35 PM
ajkrockstargt
V6 (1994-2004) Mustangs
0
Jun 19, 2016 06:46 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:25 AM.