Engine turns over but no spark at the plugs. checked coil ok changed ignition moudle no luck changed rotor no luck. checked voltage from coil to cap getting 12vdc. checked voltage going to and coming out of ignition module 12vdc. what does pick-up coil do and can you change it out or do you have to change complete distributor?

this generation of gm vehicles is easy to troubleshoot. the engine needs 3 things to run: compression, fuel, and spark. since you mention fire, i assume you have no spark.

disconnect any random spark plug wire and connect the end to a hei spark tester. crank engine and observe for spark. if you have no spark, disconnect the center terminal of the distributor cap and use the hei tester in the same manner. spark means cap and rotor bad or bad plug wireset. no spark means make more checks.

check for battery voltage and good ground on distributor. check for open or shorted ignition module or ignition coil windings. if power and ground is present and ignition coil tests ok, check for ignition pulses at coil primary. if you have no ignition pulses feeding the coil, change the distributor.

with that generation of vehicle, the ignition system will operate without help from the computer. don't even troubleshoot the guts of the distributor, if you change the cap, rotor, and anything else, it will be the same price as a remanufactured distributor, and might not fix the problem. if you troubleshoot a low volrage related issue (no pulses, shorted or open circuit, unstable timing, etc), change the whole thing.

If theres no spark from the spark plugs then you would have to replace them?

First of all , is it the original engine and if not, what kind of motor/ignition system do you have.If it is all original it should be a 6 volt system with contact points. First thing to check is if you have spark at the coil wire (distributor end). If not check if the distributor rotor turns as the engine is being cranked. If it does have spark you have a faulty rotor or cap, if no spark check for voltage to the + side of the coil. If you have voltage at the coil, check the contact points gap/condition . If the points are not burnt and are properly gapped (about .018") then you either have a faulty ignition coil. Check all of the above and repost.

Thanks, Dave

How long since a tune-up?
Check for applicable trouble codes, if there are any? Your obd 1, you should be able to check for some codes, if the mil still works.
Check primary voltage at the coil, pink wire, key on. Use a test light to check for voltage.
The spark plugs--plug wires--dist cap and rotor all good? Does the rotor turn when you crank it? If you take coil wire loose from distributor cap and hold close to engine ground, have helper crank it, do you see a spark jump? I don't know what testing you have done?
With bypass ignition it's the ignition module that controls spark during cranking. With the coil itself, key on, should be voltage on both sides, if only one side, the coil is faulty. The ground for the coil should pulse, with engine cranking. I'm sure I've left something out? You need to do some testing.

Hi, I believe there is a computer problem. If possible check codes for no start condition. if you know the no.#1 cylinder at TDC (Top Dead Center) on engine then you will know no#1 distributor is. Good luck.

Hi, Hope I can help you.
I do not know how you have checked for spark, but lets start from the beginning.
Lets start with an ignition systems check.
1. I want you to remove the high voltage coil wire. ( That's the wire in the center of the distributor cap.) Using a good pair of insulated pliers. I want you to hold it about 1/4 inch from a good engine ground. Now you will need a bit of help from a partner. Get them to turn the key and crank the engine. You should see a bright blue and well defined spark. Ok, If you have spark I want you to slowly move the coil wire away from the engine ground. As you do this I want you to pay attention to the coil tower. (The coil tower is where the other end of the coil wire is attached.) What your looking for is arcing and sparking at the coil tower. If this happens then you need to replace the coil with a new one. If this does not happen then your coil is working fine, and we will have to move on.
Note if you do not get spark from the coil wire replace the coil.

2. Ok if you have spark now we have find out if the spark is making it to the spark plugs. How are we going to do this? By checking the rotor, distributor cap, spark plug wires and spark plugs.First lets remove the distributor cap. This will allow use to inspected the rotor and the distributor cap. What your looking for is, cracks, carbon tracks and wear at the tip of the rotor. On the distributor ,look inside the cap for cracks, carbon tracks and wear on the terminals. If you find any of this replace the distributor cap and rotor. ( Note if you have any doubt of the condition of the rotor or the cap replace them.) Next lets check your spark plug wires. Lets pull off one of the spark plug wires from the spark plug side. Now inspect the wire connection for a white crusty powder. If you find crust replace your wires. Now you should check all of them the same way, but if even one has corrosion replace them all. You are going to have to inspect the wire its self . Going down the whole length of the wire. Holes cracks burn Marks and other damage. Once again if you find any damage replace them all.
I hope this will help you and good luck to all the read this FixYa

Hi, Hope I can help you.
I do not know how you have checked for spark, but lets start from the beginning.
Lets start with an ignition systems check.
1. I want you to remove the high voltage coil wire. ( That's the wire in the center of the distributor cap.) Using a good pair of insulated pliers. I want you to hold it about 1/4 inch from a good engine ground. Now you will need a bit of help from a partner. Get them to turn the key and crank the engine. You should see a bright blue and well defined spark. Ok, If you have spark I want you to slowly move the coil wire away from the engine ground. As you do this I want you to pay attention to the coil tower. (The coil tower is where the other end of the coil wire is attached.) What your looking for is arcing and sparking at the coil tower. If this happens then you need to replace the coil with a new one. If this does not happen then your coil is working fine, and we will have to move on.
Note if you do not get spark from the coil wire replace the coil.

2. Ok if you have spark now we have find out if the spark is making it to the spark plugs. How are we going to do this? By checking the rotor, distributor cap, spark plug wires and spark plugs.First lets remove the distributor cap. This will allow use to inspected the rotor and the distributor cap. What your looking for is, cracks, carbon tracks and wear at the tip of the rotor. On the distributor ,look inside the cap for cracks, carbon tracks and wear on the terminals. If you find any of this replace the distributor cap and rotor. ( Note if you have any doubt of the condition of the rotor or the cap replace them.) Next lets check your spark plug wires. Lets pull off one of the spark plug wires from the spark plug side. Now inspect the wire connection for a white crusty powder. If you find crust replace your wires. Now you should check all of them the same way, but if even one has corrosion replace them all. You are going to have to inspect the wire its self . Going down the whole length of the wire. Holes cracks burn Marks and other damage. Once again if you find any damage replace them all.
I hope this will help you and good luck to all the read this FixYa

Here are 2 things to check. With the distributor cap off crank the engine. Does the rotor turn? If it's not turning you may have a broken timing chain. If your timing chain is ok then the problem may be the ignition module. This is usually located at the base of the distributor and it will have several wires running into it. The ignition module converts the DC battery voltage into an AC voltage that the ignition coil transforms up to a much higher voltage that will be sent out to the spark plugs through the distributor. I hope this helps you out.

REMOVE DIST. CAP AND CRANK ENGINE SEE IF ROTOR TURN IF IT NOT, CHECK TIMING BELT, IF IT TURNS CHECK FOR SPARK ON DIST. CAP WHERE COIL WIRE GOES IF SPARK CHANGE OUT SPARK PLUG WIRES.IF NO SPARK CHECK IGNITION COIL AND PICK UP COIL.

Here are a couple of things that could be causing your problem. 1. Bad ignition coil or ignition module 2. Clogged fuel filter 3. Clogged air filter 4. Clogged fuel injectors 5. Bad spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and /or rotor. 6. Broken timing chain/belt. Here are a few things you can try to verify that you have a good spark. 1. Remove the distributor cap and crank the car. If the rotor turned you're ok. If it doesn't turn then that's you're problem and you will probably need to change a timing belt/chain. 2. Check the spark from the ignition coil by pulling the coil wire from the center of the distributor. Use an alligator clip to attach a short wire to the coil wire contact. Bare the other end of this short wire and set it up so it's sitting very close to the engine block. Turn off the lights and try to start the car. You should see a spark jump from this wire to the block. If you don't see a spark it's likely your ignition module or ignition coil is bad. 3. If you have a spark maybe it's not getting to the plugs. You may need to replace the distributor cap and rotor. You can test if the plugs are sparking by pulling one, re-attaching the spark plug wire and seeing if you get a spark when you try to start the engine in the dark. Please note, the metal threads of the spark plug need to be shorted to the engine block to complete the circuit during this test.