weak spark (91 22re)

i need some help.

i got a 91 pickup 4x4 22re thats been sitting for about 5 years. i drained that gas, changed the fuel filter, changed the oil and oil filter and the plugs.

i then tried to start it, it ran but only on maybe one or two cylinders and the power steering was whining bad so i shut it off. filled the p/s fluid and started it again, it was hard to start but it did start after about 6-8 cranks.

it ran a little better and i could rev it up to about 1500rpms and it sounded like it was running on all four. i let off the gas and let it idle (1000-1200rpms) for about 45 sec. then shut it off to check the motor oil level. it was about 1/2qt. low so i filled it and then tried to start it again with no luck.

then i replaced the wires, cap, rotor, and coil and still nothing. i checked the distributor and the air gap was .011 which is in range ( .008- .016) i can pull a wire and put a plug in it, hold it about 1/4" away from the block and the spark is pretty weak. i tried this on my 83 and the spark was wayyyy bigger.

so my next guess is distributor or igniter. is there any way to check the igniter?

anybody have any other ideas?

also, its getting fuel, i cracked the 5th injector and gas went everywhere.

What color was the spark? Orange, yellow, blue?? Do you know how to pull codes? Jump the TE1 and E1 of the check connector located near the No.2 relay block. I use a short wire with stripped ends and lightly shove them into the female ends of the diagnostic connector. Then turn the ignition key on and count the flashes of the check engine light. If you need pictures, send me your email address.

Chris

thanks for the reply chris!

i would say the spark on the 91 was blue, but really weak, like weaker then a electric lighter. the spark on the 83 was... bright.. orange i guess.

no, i do not know anything pulling codes. this is a whole new world to me. i will do what you said and report back... its snowing right now....

it just flashes, no code. over and over and over, the pause is the same and with no faster or slower brakes. i took a vid on my phone, but now i cant figure out how to get it on my computer.

Can you email the vid to yourself?

lets see if this works

https://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk74/no-idea-/blackhawk%20build/?action=view&current=DSCN1028.flv

IIRC, if it is a consistend flash, there are no codes. As for the spark, if it is whitish or blue, the spark is string.. If it is orange, it is weak. My assumption is your not getting fuel.. Check the fuel pressure. Put a fuel pressure guage and see what you got.. that may have been the reason the truck was parked in the first place.. if you don't have access to one, try pulling the fuel filter fittings one at a time. the one towards the engine first, put a bucket to catch the fuel, then turn on the key and see if you get good fuel flow. If not, pull the filter out and turn on the key and see then. If is good and strong then, your filter might be the culprit.

Chris

hmm. the spark is weak though, i can hold the plug in my bare hand and have someone turn it over and the shock is weak, not normal.

im getting fuel, i can crank it over and pull the plugs and they have gas on them. i replaced the fuel filter and i have full pressure at the cold start injector (5th injector).

now im leaning towards a bad ground....

Video worked. Yes, that looks like there are no codes.. Hey, just an observation, i noticed the fuel gauge didn't move whilt the key was on. How much fuel did you put back in after you drained the old fuel?

are you grounded when holding the plug..

haha gas gauge is broken, i put in 3 gal.

grounded when holding the plug... well i got shoes on. ive been shocked by my 20r and it was 10x worse.

thanks for your help chris

No prob, it is just hat usually, if the spark is blue, it is the strength it is supposed to be.. Have you put a test gauge on it to check the pressure? Maybe the pressure is too high and it is fouling the plugs before it could fire up??

IT STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! taking a video now for proof!!!!

no-idea wrote:IT STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! taking a video now for proof!!!!

NICE!!!!!

FFC wrote:

no-idea wrote:IT STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! taking a video now for proof!!!!

NICE!!!!!

Sweet, maybe it was just crabby due to the snow???

lol if anything the snow helped!

im uploading some vids now. it has a loop to the idle.

ok, heres the proof! https://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk74/no-idea-/blackhawk%20build/?action=view&current=DSCN1030.flv

and heres the loop

https://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk74/no-idea-/blackhawk%20build/?action=view&current=DSCN1032.flv

Sweet, sounds like it needs a valve adjustment.. What light is on in the dash?

thats the e-brake light. i just started it again and now its not doing the loop, its sound great! man i want to go drive this pig but the back tires are BALD and im afraid i wont be able to make it back up my drive way. lol

Well, if it Doesn't, drag it up with your 1st gen. =]

haha ya... heck it! ill be back.

heck is not what i wrote..

no-idea wrote:heck is not what i wrote..

LOL that was the censors kicking in. I changed that specific word to make more sense via the censors

Nice..