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 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs
#646126
09/12/05 01:02 AM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11
OP
Need a Spot
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I have a 1990 Montero with the 3.0 liter engine. It will not start. There is spark from the coil to the distributor, but no spark from the distributor to the plugs. I have replaced the distributor rotor and cap. Also, the wire from the coil to the distributor. Any suggestions on what to do next?
I know nothing about this stuff, but can follow directions if they are simple and clear. Am also open to finding a Montero expert here in Houston, TX and letting them fix it, if it's not too expensive.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.
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 Re: 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs
[Re: uncle_buck]
#646127
09/12/05 01:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,238
Web Wheeler
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Your distributor is different from my '89 so I don't know how to test it - but it sounds like either the optical unit in the distributor or the power transistor is bad. There are a couple of posts where I detailed the test for the power transistor. Here's one: Power Transistor Test Use the search feature and see if you can find some more info on it. Also, Conner has a few posts on testing the distributor, so check for those under his name. I suspect he'll respond to this before long. Good luck, Frank
'89 [color:"white"]G-Raider[color:"white"] [color:"black"]Supercharged 3.0L, MegaSquirt 2, lockup A/T, 2.5" exhaust, 172k, Cibie H4s/Oscar SCs, Hella Micro DE fogs, Cobra CB, Superwinch hubs, LSD rear/Aussie Locker front, Bilsteins, Lifeline AGM, Rust-Oleum
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Re: 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs
[Re: FrankR]
#646128
09/12/05 03:15 AM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11
OP
Need a Spot
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Thanks for the suggestions. I took the power transistor to the auto parts store yesterday and it tested OK. I will check it again myself. I'll also do a search for Conner's distributor tests. Thanks again. - Bert
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Re: 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs
[Re: uncle_buck]
#646129
09/12/05 04:12 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,904
Body Damage is Cool
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WAIT A MINUTE!! There is spark from the coil to the distributor, but no spark from the distributor to the plugs. That excludes the power transistor, coil ect. If you have fire to the distributor, but none at the plugs, that means the cap, rotor or spark plug wires are comprimised. You replaced the cap, rotor and coil wire. That leaves the spark plug wires, depending on how you tested your spark at the plugs, The spark plugs them selves. Also depending how you tested for spark, the coil could be weak enough not to fire the cyl, but show a spark at points, so the coil could still be the problem.
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Re: 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs
[Re: wyleone]
#646130
09/12/05 11:41 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,238
Web Wheeler
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You're right. I took that to mean the coil would spark to the distributor terminal and thought there might be a fixed ground path through the distributor, but that should be through the wires and plugs. By all means test the coil. I can't see all of the plugs or wires going bad at the same time.
Frank
Last edited by FrankR; 09/12/05 12:29 PM.
'89 [color:"white"]G-Raider[color:"white"] [color:"black"]Supercharged 3.0L, MegaSquirt 2, lockup A/T, 2.5" exhaust, 172k, Cibie H4s/Oscar SCs, Hella Micro DE fogs, Cobra CB, Superwinch hubs, LSD rear/Aussie Locker front, Bilsteins, Lifeline AGM, Rust-Oleum
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Re: 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs
[Re: FrankR]
#646131
09/14/05 12:21 AM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11
OP
Need a Spot
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The coil tested OK. I checked the ECM and it was obvious that one of the capacitors had leaked onto the circuit board. So, I sent the ECM to a local company here in Houston for testing and possible repair. They installed it in one of their test vehicles (a Montero) and it caused the same symptoms. They repaired the ECM, tested it again, and it is now supposed to be ready to go. Am keeping my fingers crossed. Also, I tested the ISC motor and it tests OK.
Last edited by uncle_buck; 09/14/05 12:23 AM.
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Re: 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs
[Re: uncle_buck]
#646132
09/14/05 12:27 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,238
Web Wheeler
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Good job! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I suspect you're a better mechanic than you let on - and obviously not afraid of a screwdriver. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Isn't it amazing how nothing gets fixed until you get the tools out and start messing with stuff? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
Frank
'89 [color:"white"]G-Raider[color:"white"] [color:"black"]Supercharged 3.0L, MegaSquirt 2, lockup A/T, 2.5" exhaust, 172k, Cibie H4s/Oscar SCs, Hella Micro DE fogs, Cobra CB, Superwinch hubs, LSD rear/Aussie Locker front, Bilsteins, Lifeline AGM, Rust-Oleum
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Re: 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs - Success!
[Re: FrankR]
#646133
09/15/05 02:59 AM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11
OP
Need a Spot
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Finally, success! It was the ECM. I sent it for rebuild on Monday, it was received, repaired, and sent back to me on Tuesday, and I received it today (Wednesday). Talk about great service! I installed it this afternoon and the Montero started right up. Cost to rebuild the ECM was $150 + tax + $5 for shipping. The company is called ECM To-Go and I highly recommend them. Thanks for all of your help and suggestions.
Last edited by uncle_buck; 09/15/05 03:00 AM.
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Re: 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs - Success!
[Re: uncle_buck]
#646134
09/15/05 03:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,238
Web Wheeler
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Good news, Buck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Frank <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
'89 [color:"white"]G-Raider[color:"white"] [color:"black"]Supercharged 3.0L, MegaSquirt 2, lockup A/T, 2.5" exhaust, 172k, Cibie H4s/Oscar SCs, Hella Micro DE fogs, Cobra CB, Superwinch hubs, LSD rear/Aussie Locker front, Bilsteins, Lifeline AGM, Rust-Oleum
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Re: 1990 Montero will not start - no spark to plugs - Success!
[Re: uncle_buck]
#646135
10/10/05 07:25 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 194
Wheeler
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Just wondering how the ECM could cause the spark to not get to the plugs from the dizzy? I am having some intermittent starting troubles myself and I might look into getting my ECM tested. I was just wondering the corolation between the 2.
Thanks,
John
John Pszenyczniak 67 Mustang Coupe 95 Firebird Formula 05 Ram hemi 4x4 91 Montero RS LWB w/ 320k miles before rebuild, 900 down and its still kicking!!!
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