No Spark

Ozrein

BC Syclone
Hey all,

I need some guidance here. My Sy has been sitting stored at my in-law's place while we've been gone for the past year and a half. My father-in-law tried starting it many moons ago to find that it wouldnt start. Since then my brother-in-law who is a mechanic has done some testing on it and found out it has no spark.

I'd like to get it back on the road sometime soon. So could anyone suggest what to do to get her running. What do I need to check, replace, etc? Where should I begin to diagnose where the issue is? My Father-in-law's friend suggested it could be something to do with the distributor. I'd work through it with my brother-in-law but he really doesnt have any time (and he's a Ford mechanic :dunno:). I can work my way around an engine if I'm given instructions but dont know a great deal to diagnose on my own.

Fyi, battery is good, truck turns over (ie starter is working), fuel pump is working. Any other info I can provide to help with figuring out what to do?

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated.
 

Matt

Active member
Re: No Spark

Just replace the pick up coil its under the distributor cap little black box thats the problem :tup:
 

Ozrein

BC Syclone
Re: No Spark

Nice, thanks Matt!

Now, do I need to ask for the specific pick up coil for a GMC Syclone from the local parts store or will the coil from a normal 4.3 work the same? I'm sure everyone is familiar with the blank stare you get from parts store guys when you say you need a part for a GMC Syclone.
 

The_Bronze

Donating Member
Re: No Spark

this it what it looks like http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/supermechanic/2009-05-27_150658_MOD.gif, has two torx screws holding it down, people have changed the screws so not 100% but that is your problem

Cheers
Matt

The image is the Ignition Control Module (ICM). The pick up coil is the unit that sits under the module around the distributor shaft. The two wires from the module lead you to it. The pickup coil does fail, but not nearly as often as the ICM on most GM models. A complete new or reman distributor will have both pieces if you choose that option (but I dislike typical aftermarket modules).

Here is a generic picture of a GM pickup.
pickupcoil.jpg


Here is the wiring diagram outlining the two components. Obviously, the pick up coil would have 6 poles, not 4 ;)

7d5577fb.jpg
 

Matt

Active member
Re: No Spark

Sorry Yeah thats what i mean the ignition module i have yet to see a pick up coil fail i have only replaced one that had got cracked when someone tried prying the rotor off :roll:
 

Ozrein

BC Syclone
Re: No Spark

Nice guys, thanks for the clarification. Glad I checked this thread again. I'll pick that up this week and hopefully get her started up on the weekend.
 

Ozrein

BC Syclone
Re: No Spark

Thanks for all the info and help guys. Just thought I'd post to say that it was the distributor that was the problem. It is now replaced and runs great.
 
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