98 Winstar 3.8L - No spark to plugs

I just replaced the plugs and coil pack on my 98 Windstar because I had no spark to the plugs. An easy and uneventful two hours.

It was running fine and suddenly died while driving. At that point, it would crank or rotate fine, but had no spark for ignition so I took a guess at the coil pack and picked the plugs up the same day since they were due for a change. It's still cranking away with no spark to ignite it.

My question is....Is there a fusible link or replaceable fuse in the ignition cirtcuit that is stopping spark or stopping the coil from sending it?

I don't have a fuse assignment sheet for the power distribution box under the hood and I'd like to locate one if possible.


Thanks in advance for any help or advice,
Kevin Gallagher

 

Exactly what test did you use during the no-start condition?

 

I just pulled a pair of plugs one at a time and turned it over to watch for spark. No spark at either plug.

The wires are in great shape and the plugs are new and I have no test gear here.

Like I said, it was running fine and just died and coasted to a stop about 200 yards from my driveway and hasn't started since.

I suspected the coil pack since the ignition module in incorporated with it. The new coil pack didn;t change a thing.

I'm just looking for some suggestions and to find out if there's a fuse or fusible link in the ignition circuit that I can give a try. Even a few test suggestions could get me working on getting it started again.

This van has less than 40k miles on it. It's always been an extra vehicle in our driveway since it was new in 98 and gets driven a few miles at a time....sometimes only once or twice a week. It seems that they run better for me when I run them into the ground. I just dumped a '79 Internaional Scout that my Grandfather bought new and gave it to me with 125k miles on it. I put another 150k miles on it before it refused to move again...and literally fell apart on me. Great car!

I have two teenage sons driving now and need This Windstar to be mobile for me....and them. Our area is known for the lack of integrity in the auto machanics in it so i'm trying to avoid trusting any of them with it as long as possible.

Thanks,
Kevin Gallagher

 

Did you ground the plugs?
Sorry to be picky, but you didn't say...and its important

 

I grounded the plugs with a lead and clips when I pulled them to check for spark.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

Realizing it's not mobile at this time, there's no way you can pull the codes is there?

There's not much that will stop an FI engine while driving
Most of which will, is fuel related
(or should I say, regardless of Fords reputation for ignition related problems, most of my and my pals' Found Dead On Road problems have been fuel related)
You might want to turn the key to on, but not start, and check for the fuel pump hum just to be sure
Or a fuel pressure gauge on that fuel rail would be even better (super easy on these engines with that schrader valve right there)
The engine does not have to be running for this

If there is no spark at the plugs, it could be a few things
Including computer and cam sensor problems
It could be helpful to attempt a computer quicktest and check for any weirdness (comp malfunction) or codes before changing any parts that might be the problem

You don't have a friend with an Auto X-Ray or anything do you?

 

That will give me some new direction to head in tomorrow morning.

Thanks again.

 

Well. this saga continues....I checked the fuel pump and it's running fine and the fuel pressure is fine at the schrader valve on the fuel rail i the engine compartment so those are nonissues.

I checked for spark again on the three front plugs and....what a surprise!

Still no spark.

I guess it's come to us being prisoner to the garages with their computers and codes and the freedom it gives them to tell us anything they want and then to charge us accordingly.

It's as bad as the medical profession anymore and it's sad.

A far cry from my Dad and I under the hood of the old Mustang or Sport Fury having fun making it all work...and having a little control over how it all worked. No computers, no chips, no trash, but they always ran and ran great after we spent a little time on them.


If anyone has any suggestions on how I can avoid the robbery shop and get spark to these plugs....please let me know. I'll try it all before I hand it over to a thief.

Thanks in advance again,
Kevin Gallagher

 

Since you are working with no spark, I believe I would start with the wiring harness that feeds the coil pack. Check the connection that fits the #4 pin for voltage. That should be battery current.

If you have current there, the most likely suspect would be the crank sensor (front of crank - RH side of engine, I believe), and the ignition control module. The module could be pulled and checked at a parts store. They may be able to check the sensor off the engine - I'm not sure.

When you have all that working, if you still have no spark, I would start thinking about a computer problem.

Hope this helps,

Bob

 

I'll be busy checking those things tomorrow morning and hope that one of them proves to be the culprit so i can move on.

This really is a great forum!! I'm glad i found out about it.

Thanks,
Kevin Gallagher