Ignition problem..please help asap!

[TWC1]

I need help with this one fast! I have an '86 Grand Marquis, 5.0. It stalled out on me last week and then wouldn't start again. I had no spark in the system at all. So here's what I did....I replaced the module on the distributor, the coil, the ignition wires, the cap, and the rotor (needed to be done anyway) and I also replaced the ignition switch under the steering column.

Now when I turn it over there is no spark when the key is in the start position, but when I let it go and it does back into the run position, whichever wire the rotor is pointing towards fires, and doesn't stop firing. That would seem normal assuming the engine was running. But there is no fire to start it up. What the hell else could it be?

[Dave84]

ballist resistor mabie, im not sure tho,,, try putting it in the on position then jump the soliniod over and see if it starts, i had that problem once with a nother car and it was beacuse of a bad ignition switch, it would start if the key was in the on position and i jumped the soliniod but if i turned it with the key it would just keep turning over with no spark
by the way

[TWC1]

I don't want to sound like a dumbass but where is the ballist resistor? But you also think that if I just the solenoid on the fender with a screw driver or something that might do the trick? And if that does work then what would the problem be from there do you think?

[Dave84]

the ballist resistor on my car is right by the heater fan on the passenger side fire wall, under the the hood,,,mines made out of a chalky sort of plastic,,, i dont know if that could be your problem tho, cause i have only herd about it screwing up your ignition system so,, im not possitive,, if it starts by jumping the soliniod over then u know u have a bad ignition swich,, but u say you have changed it so it must be a wire in between there,,, im not of an electrical expert tho, so mabie someone else here will know whats wrong... good luck with it tho

[gadget73]

Check the connections at the resistor. On the side closer to the coil, there should be a splice, so there will be a wire from the resistor, a wire to the coil, and one other wire. That other wire is supposed to feed +12v to the coil while the engine is cranking. If that wire is broken somewhere, you'll get no ignition voltage. You can however cheat and make it go, but only if you have a starter relay with 4 posts. In stock form on an 86, the two large terminals and the S terminal are used. If you run a wire from the fourth terminal, the I terminal, direct to the coil, it'll work. Its somewhat possible your car already uses this setup, in which case make sure the wires are all plugged in at the starter relay, and that it does actually get +12v when cranking. Oh, on an 86, coil is on the passenger side fender, ballast resistor is about 8" from it, near those vacuum solenoid things.