This Makes ME Mad

Well, I finally got out there today, did a ton of work on the '95, full front brake job, ball joints, sway bar link kit both sides, and lastly the taylor wires that have been sitting on my bench for about 7 months now. After I got it all together, I started it up to let it warm up, everything was all good,I was just getting all the tools out from under the hood so I could close the hood and take it for a spin....and all of a sudden it starts to lope, sputter and miss and finally dies...I couldn't believe it. So I checked in case the primary wire wasn't put on good to the coil..it was alright, took it off, and I checked for spark....none...a few bursts, but esentially none. SO, I just turned off the lights, came in, turned on the T.V. and got on here...it was this or I was going to throw a wrench through the winshield, or put a bomb under it. I can't believe it.

I just put a new coil on, maybe a month ago, I checked for codes, nothing is there. I am leaning at a crankshaft sensor, or maybe an ignition module...I can't believe it, anyways anyone have any suggestions where I should start?

Also anyone know what the resistance is suppopse to be on the crankshaft sensor, so I can check tomorrow?

hey the best place to start is to use a 12v test light ground it then test at the negative wire in the coil with someone else cranking it over check to see if the light flashes a flashing light indicates a that the icm is switching the primary on and off and is good. if the light does not flash (light stays on while cranking) that indicates the icm is not switching the primary on and off and could be a bad crank sensor icm or broken wire. if the light does not light at all you either have no power to the B+ side of the coil or the primary coil is electrically open.

tell us if the light flashes or not?

also see if you can check codes

Well, I finally got out there and took a look at it. I checked for the primary and yes I do have a flashing light, so it looks like I am good from there. I checked the coil, and it *looks* like it checks out. (I did a resistance check, and all passed) I don't have any codes showing up. I am still looking at the ignition module and coil at this point. I will have to take these to items in somewhere and get them tested, to verifiy if they are good or not.

Thanks 2k for your help.

Well, I thought I'd update this thread, about my whole ordeal. Well after getting my hands on some shop manuals, courtsey of my local library, I did some troubleshooting and testing. After scanning for codes, I eventually found DTC 1351, IC Circuit High. So I looked through the shop manual, and found a trouble shooting diagnostic tree for this problem. I followed it, and after checking everything as was reccomended, the manual narrowed it down to the ICM being the problem. I decided to go ahead and check my crankshaft sensor, as I was not getting any RPM reading. I went ahead checked the sensor, and I was getting an intermittent signal. At this point, I thought I have a wiring problem, because I wasn't getting good readings from the VCM too, they were erratic. I went through the whole wiring, the pinouts at the VCM, one by one, checking for anything, reading for continuinty and stuff. Everything checked out alright. Following the shop manual, I went ahead and bought a new ICM, I threw the battery charger on it overnight, and changed out the ICM. I proceeded to start it, no go, and still no rpm reading. Now $150.00 in the whole, and no good. On top of that, the part is non-returnable because it is an electrical item. Very upset at this point. I then checked started looking at the VCM, as I still was getting wacky readings from it. At this point, I could'nt just shot gun a VCM, as they are very expensive, and also non returnable. I retested the crankshaft sensor at the sensor, and at this point I was getting good readings, but still no rpm readout, which meant either again wiring, or maybe VCM. After many hours of scratching my head, I finally decided to look around for a VCM. I checked at my local wreckers, and found one - I was lucky as it was identical, so at this point, it would not need to be reflashed, as the calibrations stored on it matched my truck. After some haggling, picked it up for 100 bucks. Got home, threw on the new VCM, checked everything, and went to start it....NO GO! Checked the wiring, and after a couple of minutes realised I forgot to plug in the coil after I tested it. Plugged it in, checked my scanner, reset the SES light and turned the key... success. It fired right up right away. After letting it warm up, I went ahead and threw on my old ICM to see if it still worked, and to my surprise, it diod not work, the truck would'nt start.

Now I am trying to figure out, how I managed to fry my VCM and ICM just by doing the brakes, and chaning my spark plug wires- I hope I have no intermitent short or something. I don't know if this has something to do with it, but I have had a weak, undercharged battery on it for a few weeks. I was always planning on charging it up, but never have, the truck would still run, so I never bothered with it. I must say, this has been the most time consuming, hair pulling problem I have ever had....but now after a couple of days, I can sleep now at night without thinking what to do next.

have your altenater checked for ac ripple(bad diode)
chris