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Topic: Car repair question 89 Merc 302 5.0L
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Page 1 of 1 of 9 replies
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August 14, 2011 at
06:20:37 PM
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I did a tuneup on my car yesterday morning, new plugs, wires, rotor and distributor cap. Did all the right steps, dielectric grease, anti seize on the plugs, etc., etc. Drove up to St. Croix Falls no problem, stopped at the track to chat after the rain out. Made it as far as St. Croix Falls and it died as if somebody turned off the key. Obviously the first thing I checked for was a wire popping off but all was fine in that respect. Had to have the car towed back to Forest Lake...ouch in the wallet!!!
You can hear the fuel pump going on so fueling does not appear to be the problem. Today I pulled a plug wire and put a spare plug on the wire and had my wife turn the motor over, no spark. Pulled the wire from the coil off the distributor cap and connected the plug directly to the coil,. no spark. Bought a new coil and put that in, no dice, it still won't start. Is anybody familiar with this setup? I read somewhere that the ignition module control unit (attaches to the side of the distributor) would be the next thing that can potentially cause this problem.
Obviously the route most people would take would be to upgrade to a newer car but I'm not in a position to do that. I need to get this thing running so I can finish out the racing season then we'll regroup for next year.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm maxed out and have some big annual expenses coming up so I can't afford another tow and repair bill. FYI, I'm located in Forest Lake.
Stan Meissner
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August 14, 2011 at
06:25:34 PM
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P.S. We have another car but that thing is in use all the time and it will be difficult to use it to go racing. It's the wife's car and she's helping her mother and family on the weekends, enough said... 
I'm not saying I won't be able to go racing if I don't get the Merc fixed but if I don't it will be hit or miss using the other car. Willing to do the work myself and pay for parts, no problem, just need to spend my money wisely and not just throw parts at it. I'm looking for knowledgable suggestions, that's all.
Stan Meissner
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August 14, 2011 at
08:21:05 PM
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12/04/2004
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107
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do they have what they call a "brainbox" i know the older fords had them and they would go out like that<just a thought!
Bill Keech
Sponsor's Wanted
[email protected]
http://www.billkeechracing.com/
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August 15, 2011 at
11:48:28 AM
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12/03/2004
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375
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You are on the right track, before you replace it, check the wires on the pick-up assy in the dist. They will break from the advance working them back and forth. If they are not broke you are probably looking at replacing the module attached to the side of the dist. Good luck!!!
Ken Netsch
P.S. Next time,,, Buy a Chevy.
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August 15, 2011 at
01:53:46 PM
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I know this might be a dumb suggestion but have you checked all of your fuses? I only say this because one time I damn near rebuilt a whole car trying to find the problem before I checked the fuses and found one that was the issue....
Is it too old to hook up to the computer you can rent from O'Reilly for free?
Good Luck!!
Cody
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August 15, 2011 at
05:55:55 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions. I have a pretty good hunch that it's the ignition control module on the side of the distributor. I checked all the wiring and everything looks good and replaced the coil but that didn't help. It was $22 so it wasn't a huge expense.
I've got a nephew who owns a shop in the Cities so I talked to him this morning. He was busy but said he would do some research and see what he comes up with. One online post on a car forum I found sounds exactly like what happened to mine. The guy replaced the coil and it still didn't work so he replaced the module and that solved the problem. The module has recessed screws with a 5.5mm nut and the lower screw has part of the cooling system in the way. They make a special tool with a thin walled 5.55mm socket on one side and a nut that you can use a wrench on. Thanks Ford/Mercury for the recessed screws, if they were on the surface a wrench or pliers would do the trick.
I'll keep you guys posted. If you see me at SCVR on Friday that means that I got it figured out. Our second car is gone this time of night so it's tough doing this stuff unless I walk a couple miles to the parts store. Already walked home from the transit center, maybe I'll lose a few pounds this week.
Stan Meissner
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August 17, 2011 at
05:58:41 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions. Having it towed to my nephew's shop. Over my head this time.
Stan Meissner
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August 18, 2011 at
07:24:22 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: StanM on August 17 2011 at 05:58:41 AM
Thanks for the suggestions. Having it towed to my nephew's shop. Over my head this time.
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What was it- I been running it thru my skull with possibilities- Just curious as to what you found- some times it the simplest solution- good luck- see you at the races-Pat
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August 18, 2011 at
10:05:29 PM
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It's still in the shop. They didn't get a chance to work on it today.
Stan Meissner
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August 22, 2011 at
07:11:39 PM
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This message was edited on
August 22, 2011 at
07:13:00 PM by StanM
It was the ignition control module. That's what I told them when I brought it in but the distributor has to be pulled in order to get the module off. I have never messed with a distributor so I had them do it.
Stan Meissner
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