RE: Help! Dead Dakota

From: Bernd D. Ratsch (bernd@texas.net)
Date: Sun Jul 06 2003 - 19:08:58 EDT


Ron,

Have you checked the junction box under the hood (and the in-cab fuse
box) for the ignition fuse?

- Bernd

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Ron
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 3:31 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: Re: DML: Help! Dead Dakota

I checked the resistance on the new coil. Specs out fine according to
the book. What is perplexing me is that there is no voltage on the
leads to the coil. The voltmeter works when I test it across the
battery. With the ignition on I would think that voltage would be
present and lack of voltage is indicative of something earlier on in the
chain not getting voltage. I suppose I need to check to see if the SMEC
is getting voltage itself. Spending $300 is not my idea of fun.

As to the coil pickup, when I test the coil with the screwdriver up the
end of the coil wire taken off of the dist. cap, I am before the coil
pickup stage, while it might need replacing, I should see spark at this
stage as long as the coil is working, and I don't (with either coil).

I must say that this is kind of frustrating. It will take me about
50-60 dollars to have this towed to the shop about 2 miles down the
street should I choose to do so. If the SMEC is 300 dollars, I just
might do that since it is cheaper to tow than to buy something that I
don't need. Funny thing is though if I do need it, I have just added
the cost of towing and labor.

But I haven't given up yet.

Thanks,
-Ron M.
95 CC V6 Sport

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Barnes" <barnesrv@comcast.net>
To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 4:17 PM
Subject: RE: DML: Help! Dead Dakota

>
> I vote you try another coil, then the coil pickup, much cheaper.
>
> Rascal
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Bernd D.

> Ratsch
> Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 5:08 PM
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: RE: DML: Help! Dead Dakota
>
>
> Yes, they do go bad and can fail like what you're describing.
>
> Replacements run about $290-$350 depending on dealer.
>
> - Bernd
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Ron
> Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 1:51 PM
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: Re: DML: Help! Dead Dakota
>
>
>
> Replying to myself again.
>
> I tried the screwdriver stuck in the end of the coil wire close to the

> engine block. Nothing on either the old or new coil when cranking.
> Also tried the screwdriver direct from the top of the coil to near the

> block, no spark.
>
> I retested the voltage feeding into the coil taking each lead to
> ground, no voltage.
>
> Haynes calls the electronic thingy a SMEC (Single Module Engine
> Controller). Do these things go bad? Are they expensive? How many
> vote that I give up and take it to a shop :)
>
> Thanks,
> -Ron M
> 95 V6 CC Sport
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron" <menoldre@adelphia.net>
> To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
> Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 12:56 PM
> Subject: Re: DML: Help! Dead Dakota
>
>
> >
> > Okay, today's saga. I bought a voltmeter and checked the voltage at

> > the
> new
> > solder/splice and it read battery voltage, so it was a good solder
> > joint. I then put the two leads into the connector that feeds the
> > ignition coil. It read zero. I turned the ignition on it still read

> > zero. I had my wife crank the engine and it still read zero.
> >
> > Question, is the voltage to the ignition coil a constant voltage or
> > is
>
> > it intermitent as fed by the PCM. If intermitent, or instantanious,

> > would a voltmeter set on DC volts read the voltage?
> >
> > Also, can you take the ignition coil and hold the top (where the
> > spark
> plug
> > wire goes) close to ground/engine block and expect to see a spark
> > when
>
> > cranking? I haven't done this yet, but it seems like you should be
> > able
> to
> > do this.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > -Ron M
> > 95 CC V6 Sport
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Rick Barnes" <barnesrv@comcast.net>
> > To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
> > Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2003 9:08 PM
> > Subject: RE: DML: Help! Dead Dakota
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Coil or coil pickup, (in the distributor)...
> > >
> > > Rascal
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> > > [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Ron
> > > Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2003 8:42 PM
> > > To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> > > Subject: Re: DML: Help! Dead Dakota
> > >
> > >
> > > Am I allowed to reply to my own message :)
> > >
> > > Hey, so I finally pulled one of the spark plugs, reattached the
> > > wire,
> > wife
> > > cranked the car and no spark. Went to the store, they thought
> > > ignition
> > coil
> > > and talked me out of cap and rotor. 33 dollars later, still no
> > > spark.
> > Next
> > > trip is cap, rotor, and wires I suppose.
> > >
> > > I am thinking I should also buy an ohmmeter and check power to the

> > > coil.
> > >
> > > Any other thoughts as it just started raining and the truck is
> > > outside,
> so
> > I
> > > am in.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > -Ron M.
> > > 95 CC V6 Sport
> > >
> >
> >
>
>



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