Q&A for How to Diagnose a Loss of Spark in Your Car Engine

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What do I do if the engine cranks but doesn't start and there is no spark on the plugs?

Community Answer

Try replacing the harness that connects to the electronic ignition on the back of the engine.

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Question

Will a bad spark plug wire make the car miss and run badly?

Community Answer

It definitely can. You should check each cable for proper resistance. Put your voltmeter on 20k ohm position, it should read like 6k ohm, if it reads full resistance (1 to the left) then the wire is bad. Try to wiggle the wire you're testing, just in case that wire has internal breaking.

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Question

I have only a weak spark (yellow/orange) after a new coil, pickup coil, ignition module, rotor and distributor cap. What else could be wrong to cause such a weak spark that will not ignite gas in the cylinders?

Community Answer

Look for a broken, loose, and/or corroded grounding wire. The negative terminal on the battery may also be loosely connected. Also check to make sure your gas isn't old.

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Question

Why will my truck not spark on a hill in the cold?

Community Answer

The truck may not be pumping fuel into the cylinders because of being parked on a hill.

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Question

What could be wrong if my car stopped running well after I washed it?

Community Answer

Sometimes a small crack in the distributor cap can allow moisture to get inside the housing.

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Question

Would you go through the spark diagnostic on a 1973 Charger?

Community Answer

If there is no spark coming from the coil, you may want to check the ballast resistor, which is a porcelain piece usually mounted near the firewall with either two or four prongs.

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Question

Why does the distributor hang up?

Community Answer

Check the spark plug for clogging, and also check the ECU, transformer coil, and HT wire. Charge the battery if it's a battery ignition system. Always check the ECU because it will show all electric-related problems (you'll need a device to check it).

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Question

The ignition goes on, but there's no cranking. Why?

Community Answer

Your problem could be the battery or the starter. You might want to have your alternator, battery, and starter all tested.

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Question

My car just went off, and is now cranking but not sparking. What could be the problem?

Community Answer

It could be anything from bad spark plugs to bad distributor, to a bad ignition coil, to faulty wiring. Test each one in that order.

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Question

What could cause my car to lose power while I am driving? It turned off by itself.

Community Answer

Perhaps it is an alternator fault. The wiring to and from the alternator could drain the battery too, which would also stop the spark.

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Question

Car died while driving and could not turn back on. Electric and fuel pump works, what could be wrong?

William lawson

Community Answer

Could be a distributor issue or it could be a fuse to the distributor. If you don't have a distributor, then check your coil pack.

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Question

Can I drive my 2005 F150 if it has a bad coil on one of the spark plugs?

Community Answer

Yes, but most likely the engine would miss, run rough and throw a check engine code, for example P0300.

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