84 marguis ignition pickup problem

[gonein40]

Hello everyone.I have read many posts on this forum and have got lots of help just from reading the post of others.The problem with my 84 marquis is along the same line as others in this forum.The ignition wll lose spark and sometimes start right up and sometimes not.10 minutes to hlf hour.eventually after aweek or two of this the pickup is shot and will not start at all.changer pikup and the car is great for amonth or so and the the whole process starts all over again.time of year does not seam to matter.The car has 302 and I am on my third pickup.What is the condenser on the coil do.Icould sure use some help on this one.

[gonein40]

Ok I have found that the coil is getting 12 volts and it should be getting 6 volts.ballast resistor reading is low.Does anyone know where the ballast resistor is located on my 1984 grand marquis any help would be great.

[way2old]

Are you talking about the ignition pick up---or the ignition module? Describe the part you have changed.

[rhandwor]

I would check the manual as I think this vehicle needs 12 volt to the coil. Way to Old can help you in this area. If you changed the pickup in the distributor I would check the module on the side of the distributor. Auto Zone or Advance will test for free. I had to use a hot air gun and heat up the module to find this type of problem with my tester.
A lose computer ground located in the pass side kick panel will cause problems on a restart. Also feel the relay and make sure it clicks should also be close by.

[gonein40]

My car doesnt have a module on the side of the distributor.It has the dura spark 2 ignition.The part that is going bad is the pickup or ignition stator.It is located in the distributor.This will be my 3rd one in a year.Other than this problem the car is great.

[rhandwor]

Ford had a recall on ignition switchs for vehicles at least I had a recall on my 1985 T-Bird with a 302. I had already replaced the one in my car because of different voltage readings to the module.
My sons 1984 T-Bird had the system you have but my manual is for a 1985.
I will check my other manual to see if I can find a balast resistor.

[rhandwor]

I looked in my products research manual and it indicates your vehicle is a 1993 and has a crankshaft position sensor located drivers side close to the harmonic balancer.
Unhook this and use an old ohm meter with a dial. With somebody cranking this item should go from 0 to1 or with a DVOM just go from 0 to 1 when cranking. Do this when it won't start.
The module should be a brown if I remember correctly and be located near the distributor on the fender panel. Check if Advanced or Auto Zone can check this for you.
The only resistor I can find is on the fire wall for the heater blower.
My mitchell manual indicates the coil needs 90% of battery voltage at the positive
terminal.

[gonein40]

Thanks but my car is a 1984.this is the same ignition from the late 70s.there is no crank sensor.

[rhandwor]

Both of my manuals for 1984 show a crank shaft sensor with a carburetor.
If you want send me your private email and I will scan the page and mail you a one line which shows they are and the items name. Both the mitchell manual and the products research show a crank sensor and a distributor.
Manuals are not always 100% because some vehicles have two years products depending on when they are made. In 1985 and late 1984 they removed the crankshaft sensor. These have a pip and thick film module.
Call the Mercury parts and ask for a price on a crankshaft sensor.