Distributor not getting spark

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Mitchell Scheer

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West Greenwich, RI
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Mitchell
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.0L (305)
Replaced the pick up coil and still no start. I'm running out of ideas of what it could be.
 

AuroraGirl

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Taylor
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400(?), 350
is your ignition module seeing a signal from your pickup coil? if it doesnt see anything it wont tell the ECM its good to go (over 400 rpm, etc) and the ECM wont command fuel on.. if you have TBI? I guess I am not sure what your 86 has.

If you just have carburetor,
"If you cut the wiring harness on the distributor side and connect the first wire in the harness on the distributor side with the 4th wire - you will bypass the computer and then if it still doesn't run - you know that the pick up coil is bad or that the timing chain broke or that the distributor gear is bad on the end of the shaft on the distributor." found that on a search

check your distributor with cap off and crank the engine

DOES IT TURN?

if its not turning.. you get to pull your timing cover off.
and hope its a chain??
 

Turbo4whl

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I used a spark test light that doesn't light up at all when cranking the engine. I have verified 12v is going to the coil .

Most spark test lights will not light up with electronic ignition suppressant wires. I can explain why later but it is not important.

The correct way to check for spark is to remove one plug wire at the plug. Put a Phillips screw driver in the wire end and hold the metal part of the screw driver near the exhaust manifold, but not touching. Have someone crank the engine over.

You should see a blue, not yellow arc.

You stated you had a fuel problem. You may still have a fuel problem.
 

AuroraGirl

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Taylor
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1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Most spark test lights will not light up with electronic ignition suppressant wires. I can explain why later but it is not important.

The correct way to check for spark is to remove one plug wire at the plug. Put a Phillips screw driver in the wire end and hold the metal part of the screw driver near the exhaust manifold, but not touching. Have someone crank the engine over.

You should see a blue, not yellow arc.

You stated you had a fuel problem. You may still have a fuel problem.
for a second i thought you were gonna tell him to ground through himself oooooo
 

Mitchell Scheer

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Joined
Oct 24, 2020
Posts
12
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Location
West Greenwich, RI
First Name
Mitchell
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.0L (305)
The rotor does turn when I take the cap off and crank the engine. It has a HEI distributor.
 

Mitchell Scheer

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2020
Posts
12
Reaction score
2
Location
West Greenwich, RI
First Name
Mitchell
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.0L (305)
UPDATE: The K10 is up and running. Replaced distributor with a known working one and did plugs and wires, because some were melted from laying on the exhaust manifold. Thanks everyone for the help.
 

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