no spark when cold.

[390Nut]

And it has me stumped. Especially concerned cuz I need the truck running to move stuff.

New solenoid last summer, new Pertronix Ignitor last year, been starting/running fine for months. out of the blue the other day, no spark. Checked connections, turns over fine, plenty of gas, but literally no spark to the plugs when turning over, unless I run a jumper wire from the battery to the coil +, then it will start up just fine. Once it's been running awhile, it will start just fine.

I know I need to replace the plugs and wires, but I have to make do with them at the moment.

Is this the coil going bad? I ask because I've never had to replace one due to a failure, just as an upgrade. (never left a stock coil in much of anything I've owned over the years)

All my tools and test equipment are aleady buried in my storage unit so I don't have access to much but a few screwdrivers and a basic socket set right now.

[basketcase0302]

Paul,

Do you have a meter to check the voltage supplying the coil?

Jeff

[390Nut]

Paul,

Do you have a meter to check the voltage supplying the coil?

Jeff

All my tools and test equipment are aleady buried in my storage unit so I don't have access to much but a few screwdrivers and a basic socket set right now.

That would be a negative.

[fordman]

that is a strange problem. and it goign to do with the wire from thw ignition switch to the coil. i am guessing the resistor wire was went around when the petronix was put in. so i would check the wiring from the switch to the coil that has been replaced. or maybe wiggle the ignition swithc up and down and you try to start the truck. something is getting cold and shrinking away from its contact to other wires or the switch plug. that is my guess.

[390Nut]

that is a strange problem. and it goign to do with the wire from thw ignition switch to the coil. i am guessing the resistor wire was went around when the petronix was put in. so i would check the wiring from the switch to the coil that has been replaced. or maybe wiggle the ignition swithc up and down and you try to start the truck. something is getting cold and shrinking away from its contact to other wires or the switch plug. that is my guess.

I originally put the pertronix in when I put the MSD 6AL ignition in (now gone, just the pertronix installed). Put relays for both, because both need a full 12 volts to operate, so yes the resistor wire was bypassed completely.

Thought it might be as you said with the relay getting cold and not making proper contact internally, so I switched it for another relay, no change. Ignition switch appears to be fine, although old it doesn't make anything noticable happen when I jiggle the switch when running so I am assuming the switch is still good.

[fordman]

i was thinking of the wires coming out fo the plug in the back of the switch that might be contracting away from the switch prongs that might be shrinking and not making 12 votls to the coil.

[Thunderfoot]

Can you hear your relay for the coil click when you turn the key to Run? or try jumping the activation wire of the relay next time when it wont start to help narrow down if the problem is in the wiring to ignition switch to relay or if it is something else...
A cheep $5 test light would help you out a bunch and look good in the clove box.