It stops working.

 

I thank everyone for their help, but I was wondering what the advantage of having electronic ignition over regular ignition?? I found a new distributor for regular ignition at an auto parts store for $41.99. I was thinking about going back to regular ignition, instead of getting a new magnetic pickup (If that is the problem). The guy at the auto parts store told me that a new magnetic pickup is $40. Might as well get a new distributor and go back to regular ignition. Any pointers on what I should do?

 

Not exactly. Look at numberdummy's post.

Also the modules can fail in weird ways too.

The start and run circuts are wired to the module seperately, so a problem with one may not affect the other. (The engine cranks and cranks and fails to start, but when I let off the key it starts syndrome) or (the engine starts but then stops again when I let off the key)

 

The Duraspark-I is notoriously problematic. As Numberdummy stated... "Neverspark". Parts are also hard to come by and expencive when you do find them.

The Duraspark-II (Blue Grommet) is considered highly reliable, and a worthwhile upgrade from a points system. Very few components to fail. No dwell to adjust etc... And replacement parts are easy to get, and not all that expencive.

The Duraspark-I and II are not swappable or compatible with each other, so a rewiring would be required to swap them around, or get a harness from a 1976 or newer truck.

So with that said, Points system is better than DS-I but DS-II is better than both of the latter.

 

Is points less wiring than DS-II? I want to go with the one with the least amount of wiring.

 

If you look on the back side of the module ( At least on a Dura Spark I ) , look to see if there are two clear spots on the back. If you see Two spots throw it away , it aint no good , move over to the next truck on the U- pullit yard and buy that one . Ed Shaver

 

81-F-150-Explorer and others: I have a similar problem with our '76 F250 - 460 engine. She usually runs fine (except for guzzling the fuel!) but lately is becoming much harder to start when cold. Yesterday she began running real rough and then quit with a strange "run-on" sound - then dead (with a ton of firewood in the back!!!)

I noticed that during the hard starts over the last weeks in the morning, after a good crank and no start, when I turned the ignition switch off, there was a single cough each time.

Could this simply be a bad ignition switch? Is there a way to bypass the ignition switch so that power gets to the ignition system directly?

Before I begin systematically checking the Duraspark module, coil and distributor, I'd like to eliminate the simple stuff. I will check all the grounds (engine ground strap) due to all the body & frame rust. Are there other ground wires in the ignition system - is the DuraSpark unit grounded through the casing to the body?

Also, is the "Blue Grommet" easy to see on the DuraSpark II module?

Thanks - hope I haven't highjacked this thread...

 

Points is less wiring, (3) although needs more upkeep and maintenance. Also needs precise adjustments.

DS-II, although it has more wires (6), three of those are between the module and distributor, two is between the module and coil, and/or ignition switch run circut, and one is between the module and "I" terminal on the starter solenoid. The advantage is a cap and rotor, Plugs etc... is a tune up. No adjustments, longer intervals between tune ups, hotter spark. etc...

Not hard at all to wire, especially with a DS-II harness from a donor vehicle. All you need is to hook up three wires. 1976-1986 had DS-II systems, but the earlier the better chance you will find the harness.

But do what you are comfortable with. I'm only giving you suggestions.

 

Unlikely. But not impossible. What it sounds like is the coil colapses and fires (once) when you shut the power to it off at the switch. This is relatively normal. However are you getting spark while cranking? Check the I terminal at the starter solenoid. That is the coil resistor bypass with the ignition switch in the start position. Also check the red wire at the coil in the run position.

No, the DS module is grounded through the distributor base, using a wire. (Black if I recall correctly, away from my manuals)

Very easy to spot. It's the grommet where the wires go into the module. DS-I's can be Red for 1974, green for 1975, etc...
DS-II's can be Blue, Brown etc...

Blue is the most comon and the most simple.

 

I've owned my '77 for 32 years. I'm on the 3rd module. The first one went after 3 or 4 years and the second one went about a year later.

 

That's not a problem with the ignition, you are having carburetor issues. Sounds like the choke isn't working properly.

 

What are you talking about?

 

Thank you 81-F-150....
I'll attack the problem over the next week or so (the vehicle is on an islated island)

When you say coil resistor "bypass" do you mean there should be 12 volts at the "I" terminal when you crank or should the 12 volts disappear when you turn to start.
No, I got no spark when I grounded a plug against a headbolt. But, I'm not confident there was good contact - must try it again.

 

Didn't the DSI module have a black grommet in 74?

 

RED DuraSpark CA only Ignition Module: D7AZ12A199A (Motorcraft DY204) / Obsolete

Fits: All 1977 CA V8 passenger cars // 1978 CA 302 Mustang / Fairmont/Zephyr / Granada/Monarch // 1979 302 CA LTD/Mercury Grand Marquis / Mustang/Capri / Granada/Monarch / Fairmont/Zephyr.

This module was a total POS! The module used on 1977's and on some early 1978's were defective. Ford had them on D99 = National Back Order for THREE months!

It was a FIASCO!

1000's of new and nearly new cars were parked on dealer service lots, because no one was able to get any.

I bought all the used modules I could find locally at wrecking yards, so the customers could get their cars back.

After three months, the modules became available again. The first shipments were also defective!

It took another TWO WEEKS to get modules that worked. It's no wonder that Ford mechanics refered to DuraSpark as NeverSpark!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BLUE DuraSpark Ignition Module: 1U2Z12A199AA (Motorcraft DY893) / 1U2Z-12A199-AA replaced D9VZ-12A199-A and D6AZ-12A199-A / Available from Ford.

MSRP: $130.60 // FTE sponsor Y2KFORDPARTS.COM price: $70.52.