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phrho
Novice
Sep 13, 2012, 1:59 PM
Post #1 of 11
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1989 E-150 Wont Start
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1989 E-150 5.8 Wont Start. Stopped to open a gate on farm. Engine stopped and wont start. Has no spark from the coil wire. Tested coil and wire on another truck and it worked fine. Replaced distributor (rebuilt) and module and rotor and cap. Still no spark. Swapped EEC With another truck(same year with 5.8) and the other truck ran fine but the van wont start. Traced wires from the module and coil to the EEC and could not find a problem. There is 12V power to the coil and the module. Checked for any codes and only 32 came up. I checked the EGR sensor and it appears to be OK (did not change anything there). I am frustrated.
I'll appreciate any help and suggestions.
Phil
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2012, 2:46 PM
Post #2 of 11
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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Does the distributor rotor turn at all? Any compression? Plastic cam gears don't age well on those,
T
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phrho
Novice
Sep 13, 2012, 2:52 PM
Post #3 of 11
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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Yes the rotor does turn while cranking engine. I'll check the compression and post the results.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2012, 3:09 PM
Post #4 of 11
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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If it was running fine right before this you only need a few easy plugs to check compression. You would hear the engine sound funny just cranking if timing chain can't turn at all. A maybe especially as I think all came with that damn plastic cam gear which could have completely given out. The idea is if cam isn't turning and totally off I'm not so sure this is going to give you spark. You said rotor turns which indicated cam is turning some at least??
T
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zmame
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2012, 3:36 PM
Post #5 of 11
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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these were also bad for ECC relays in this year. Check and make sure the ECC has power going to it.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2012, 3:39 PM
Post #6 of 11
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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Good memory Z! If I recall original had the brown skirt on that relay? Wiring to those was just once an issue,
Tom
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zmame
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2012, 4:19 PM
Post #7 of 11
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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yes if i remember correctly it's in the inner driver side fender well.
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phrho
Novice
Sep 13, 2012, 4:38 PM
Post #8 of 11
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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Just went to the farm. Tested #3 through 6 (1 and 2 hard to get at). Compression is 135 to 140, should be good enough to run if I can just get some fire. I'll check that relay tomorrow afternoon. Will there be anything else that feeds from the relay. I didn't notice anything without power.
Thanks for your input.
Phil
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2012, 4:53 PM
Post #9 of 11
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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If the EEC relay isn't energizing or is bad, you won't have power at your coil, injectors, and fuel pump. I don't even think the check engine light will prove out because the ECA gets power from the EEC relay too.
Also check the black ground connector plug at the battery. The ECA and fuel pump are all run through that ground. Disconnect the plug and look for corrosion.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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phrho
Novice
Sep 17, 2012, 8:03 PM
Post #10 of 11
(1944 views)
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. Even though they were not the problem, the suggestions kept me focused and I liked the ideas because they sounded logical.
How I found the problem. I was testing (for the 3rd time) all the wires and connectors. I had 2 leads run from the front to the back of the engine. Got in to test crank the van and had forgotten to remove the test leads. I pulled them from the back and one of the leads snagged. I gave it a little tug and it came free. Test crank; I had fire for the first time. Looked for what the lead could have snagged on.
Problem. Bad connector at the coil. Hold the connector in; I had fire. No pressure on the connector; no fire. I had that connector off at least 6 times and it looked fine.
I replaced the connector and the coil (since it cost less than $18). Now the van runs great, no miss and plenty of power.
Thanks again for your help. This is a great site.
Phil
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 17, 2012, 8:39 PM
Post #11 of 11
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Re: 1989 E-150 Wont Start
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Glad it worked out and at a cheap cost too. Thanks for posting the fix. Lot of people look through these posts even from years back and someone else may be in the same boat as you.
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