My problem is with my Mustang not my truck, but since both are 302s and the electronics are very similar if not identical in many cases I hope you guys can provide some info. The Mustang will not start on the factory ignition. I typically run a MSD 6al but needed to remove it to do some work. Once removed the car would not start. Id did not splice any wires I used the MSD jumpers to connect everthing so returning to factory is very easy. Yes, the factory harness is connected to the coil at this point. It just cranks and does not even attempt to start. The fuel pump works and primes to the correct pressure. The coil does not get any power when cranking. I have replaced the the TFI module and checked all the fuse links. The TFI came from Autozone which I hear and have experienced sells quite a few bad parts right out of the box, so I am tempted to try another. I am thinking about changing the stator/PIP but don't want to do it I don't have to. No codes in the computer both off and running. It is got to be something simple if the car will run just fine on the MSD ignition, but not at all on the factory ignition. What am I missing? Thanks for taking the time to read this!! Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Try hot-wiring it by running a wire from the pos battery post to the pos coil post, and see if it runs. If it does, then the problem is in your wire from the ignition switch to the pos coil post.

 

Ok, I tried jumping the battery directly to the coil and it still won't start. Having thought about it the wires and conector should be fine because the factory coil harness plugs into the MSD and the MSD then plugs into the coil. So if it runs on the MSD it must be getting the signal from the factory wires. This makes me agian come back to the distributor. TFI or stator. I wish there was an easier way to test these. How often do stators/PIP sensors fail? I think the MSD box bypasses the TFI ignition and that is why it will run. It has got to be something simple I am missing.

 

Have you confirmed that there is no spark? If you have, then get a test light, and with the key on, make sure the test light lights up when connecter to ground and the pos coil post. If it does, then move the test light tip to the negative coil post, and have someone try and start the engine. The light should flicker. What does it do?

 

I will try to test it soon. The car is in storage an I don't get there that often. My test light is broken, but when it workrd I did test the positive side of the coil and it had power with the key on. I have not tested the negative side yet. Hopefully I can check it soon and will report back. Thanks for the help so far. I have posted this question in several ford and mustang forums and have not gotten any help at all. Thanks again!

 

If the test light comes on when you connect it between the neg coil post and ground, and turn the key on, don't worry. It could be on or off. What counts is that it flashes while trying to start it. If it does, that tells you that the problem is somewhere beyween the coil wire and the spark plugs (wire(s), cap, rotor), but that the TFI and the hall effect switch in the distributor are fine. If it comes on and just gets dull when you try and start it, that means the coil is good, but there is no signal to fire it, which means it's either the TFI or the hall effect switch.

 

I hope everyone has had a nice Holidays so far. I finally had a chance to look at the car again and I think I have it under control. I bought a new test light since mine died. I should have picked up on that clue, but just thought the light was old. I bought a new one that tells you if the charge is negative or positive. PKRWUD, I tested the coil and got constant power to the positive side of the coil and flickering power to the negative side of the coil while starting the car. I hooked the MSD back up to the coil and tried the same test. No power to the negative side and negative power to the positive side of the coil. This made no sense so I got a cheap coil and hooked the factory harness to it and the car started right up. So, the problem all along has been the MSD that burned up the coil. I still don't know why it would run with that negative charge to the positive side of the coil. I am going to call MSD and talk with them. Now the only problem is a flashing 51 air bag light. Thermal fuse I think? Should be in a blue box near the colum. Thank you for all the help and knowledge.