I have a 1.8 pinto that wont start. I have the little box of tricks wired up as per haynes (i hope). Engine spins over ok, and fuel is available. I have just replaced Distributer cap, rotor arm, plugs and leads. I have gapped the plugs correctly. However there is no spark. I am sure everything is wired up ok. Any suggestions? Is this a bad engine to have chosen? Or is ok when it goes! Thanks in advance Dan

did it work before the distributor was changed?

i guess its either the dist. done wrong, the spark trigger stuff, maybe the earth, or the module (is it a little 6wire ign module?).

I bought it from a local chap who dismantles sierras and cortinas. He said it was a good runner but i have never heard it!! I only replaced these items as procedure. I think it has 12 or 14 wires coming out of the box of tricks.....

Anyone else got any suggestions please? I am going mad. I just want to hear it run

Ok. had a look and found out that my control module is an ESC II. Does this help anyone? Someone suggested it may be the coil? How do i test this?

Connect a spark plug direct to the coil (ie not through the alternator) and see if you get a spark. If so, its the dizzy (or leads in the wrong holes).

If no spark, connect an analogue voltmeter to the *low voltage* side of the coil and turn the engine over. If you see a kick it's the coil.

Still no good then I suspect you've wired it up wrong!

Chris