MEC89 and others….problem just got worse??

KobraLX · 10-09-2001, 11:43 AM

As we know from my past thread and a relevant one by MEC89, I have been having problems all the sudden out of my 89 LX.

Last week while driving home, she quit and would not stay started. In pushing her off the road, I popped the clutch and she fired up and drove home fine never to miss a beat. Later she fired right up on the driveway and then I drove her Sunday on a short drive (7-8 miles – no problem).

Last night I throw a new fuel filter in just to be safe. Fire her up, no fuel leaks and away I go on my normal “shakedown drive” around the house to see if the problem appears. About 4 or 5 miles into the drive and almost back to the house, she totally falls on her *** either fuel or ignition is being pulled. We coast and when she comes to a stop and I can push no more I jump in and try to fire her. She wants to light and then die like the fuel is being pulled from her, BUT if I give her some good throttle she will stay running but won’t like it (backfiring, bucking, etc). I limped her home and parked her.

Here is the things I took note of right then:
1. Takes throttle to make run otherwise starts and then immediately dies
2. When she is forced to run, she is not happy about it (backfiring, rough rpms, bucking, etc).
3. Turn the key the fuel pump hums and then stops – is this normal?
4. The problem appears to not be heat-related because this morning when she was cold as hell she still had a problem.
5. The drive Sunday was perfect.

I am going to run some tests tonight on the computer to see what it tells me.

So far these are the possible problem areas based on some people’s suggestions and my thoughts:
 Fuel pump
 Fuel pump relay
 Throttle Position Sensor
 Inertia Sensor for the fuel cutoff
 Fuel Pressure Regulator
 O2 Sensors
 Mass Air Sensor
 Ignition Coil
 Distributor Module
 Crap in fuel (now a month old)
 Fuel filter (now fixed)
 Some sensor

Anyone else have some more thoughts?

MEC89 · 10-09-2001, 12:15 PM

KobraLx, seems like you have it under some control. I can't add anything to your list, you have a bigger one than I, but it seems like your problem is a little different. My car wants to start, but throttle or no throttle, she just won't do it. But one thing in common, this seems to happen to our cars at spontaneous times. Might run fine one day and the next--she's down. I don't know about you, but this is getting old quick. I have replaced my fuel pump and I still havethe problem. As soon as I can order one, I am going to replace the inertia switch ($45) and the relay under the seat. If you do not find a cure before then (let me know if you do) I will keep you posted about my tinkering and its success or lack there of.
**have you noticed that niether of us have been getting error codes?**
Good luck, we'll figure it out sooner or later.

[This message has been edited by MEC89 (edited 10-09-2001).]

KobraLX · 10-09-2001, 01:12 PM

MEC89, no you are right. It is getting old. I am a solid Ford guy with all Chevy buddies so I am catching tons of hell right now especially when no one can diagnose the problem. I have yet to pull codes that's tonight's job if I can work in the time to do it. The TPS has to be coming in to play because the computer is recognizing that throttle body is open and making some changes to help the car start. Also it was intermetent now I think the problem has gotten bad enough that it is permenant right now.

I will keep you updated too.

Thanks.

smithbling · 10-09-2001, 10:08 PM

IMO you should replace the fuel pump and do a complete tuneup. Wires, distrib etc, plugs, maybe even throw in an MSD coil or ignition. Still from what I have seen it is your fuel pump and she is difficult to start because of some flooding etc.

Good Luck.

BTW, post this on corral.net or stangnet.com they have far more memeber traffic there.

------------------
88 Notch

MAC Headers, MAC H-pipe, MAC Pullies, KN, and BM Shifter

Best ET: 14.689
Best MPH: 98.54
Best 60': 2.333

KobraLX · 10-10-2001, 11:52 AM

I didn't get time last night to run some codes on it but I have already decided to replace the fuel pump, coil, TFI, TPS and maybe the o2 sensors. At 183,000, I don't feel this is jumping the gun any.

smithbling, I will try stang.net but I have already beat you to posting on the corral. Thanks.

10-10-2001, 11:10 PM

I would say it is the either the TFI module, the fuel pump, or the fuel pump relay.

Jason

KobraLX · 10-24-2001, 01:33 PM

UPDATE

Well due to the 80' X 45' barn that my dad, my brother and me have been building this summer, I just got around to tackling some of my problems last night.

Well a week ago I received my new 190lph pump, Kirban regulator, and some 9mm Ford wires for my T-Bird (seperate job here). Also yesterday I purchased a new TFI.

I installed it last night on the driveway. Before I installed it, I tried repeatedly to get it started to no avail. I installed the part and bam fired up. However I had to remove the distributor to get that back screw out and when I replaced it I think I got it slightly off so continued to advance the timing (no timing light - knew I should have bought one of those) a little at a time until it ran reasonable. However the idle is a little off in sound and it has no pulling past 2000rpm on the road. I assume it is still retarded and needs to be advanced some more. Also eventhough I marked it, I think as I put it in it moved slightly and I need to total take it out again and set it back maybe one tooth on the cam.

I am going to search on this but any help would be appreciated.
Any easy ways of getting everything exactly right again....

John R. Mustang · 10-24-2001, 04:31 PM

Definitely sounds like a TFI module going bad to me. When it goes bad it doesn’t allow the engine to fire therefore causing a no start condition. Sometimes the modules don’t go out all at once explaining your “run fine one day, not the next” situation. This is only $30 -$40 part so give it a shot, should fix your problems.

10-09-2001, 11:43 AM	#1
KobraLX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hillbilly Cajun Posts: 25	MEC89 and others….problem just got worse?? As we know from my past thread and a relevant one by MEC89, I have been having problems all the sudden out of my 89 LX. Last week while driving home, she quit and would not stay started. In pushing her off the road, I popped the clutch and she fired up and drove home fine never to miss a beat. Later she fired right up on the driveway and then I drove her Sunday on a short drive (7-8 miles – no problem). Last night I throw a new fuel filter in just to be safe. Fire her up, no fuel leaks and away I go on my normal “shakedown drive” around the house to see if the problem appears. About 4 or 5 miles into the drive and almost back to the house, she totally falls on her *** either fuel or ignition is being pulled. We coast and when she comes to a stop and I can push no more I jump in and try to fire her. She wants to light and then die like the fuel is being pulled from her, BUT if I give her some good throttle she will stay running but won’t like it (backfiring, bucking, etc). I limped her home and parked her. Here is the things I took note of right then: 1. Takes throttle to make run otherwise starts and then immediately dies 2. When she is forced to run, she is not happy about it (backfiring, rough rpms, bucking, etc). 3. Turn the key the fuel pump hums and then stops – is this normal? 4. The problem appears to not be heat-related because this morning when she was cold as hell she still had a problem. 5. The drive Sunday was perfect. I am going to run some tests tonight on the computer to see what it tells me. So far these are the possible problem areas based on some people’s suggestions and my thoughts:  Fuel pump  Fuel pump relay  Throttle Position Sensor  Inertia Sensor for the fuel cutoff  Fuel Pressure Regulator  O2 Sensors  Mass Air Sensor  Ignition Coil  Distributor Module  Crap in fuel (now a month old)  Fuel filter (now fixed)  Some sensor Anyone else have some more thoughts?

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10-09-2001, 12:15 PM	#2
MEC89 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ky, US Posts: 13	KobraLx, seems like you have it under some control. I can't add anything to your list, you have a bigger one than I, but it seems like your problem is a little different. My car wants to start, but throttle or no throttle, she just won't do it. But one thing in common, this seems to happen to our cars at spontaneous times. Might run fine one day and the next--she's down. I don't know about you, but this is getting old quick. I have replaced my fuel pump and I still havethe problem. As soon as I can order one, I am going to replace the inertia switch ($45) and the relay under the seat. If you do not find a cure before then (let me know if you do) I will keep you posted about my tinkering and its success or lack there of. have you noticed that niether of us have been getting error codes? Good luck, we'll figure it out sooner or later. [This message has been edited by MEC89 (edited 10-09-2001).]

10-09-2001, 01:12 PM	#3
KobraLX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hillbilly Cajun Posts: 25	MEC89, no you are right. It is getting old. I am a solid Ford guy with all Chevy buddies so I am catching tons of hell right now especially when no one can diagnose the problem. I have yet to pull codes that's tonight's job if I can work in the time to do it. The TPS has to be coming in to play because the computer is recognizing that throttle body is open and making some changes to help the car start. Also it was intermetent now I think the problem has gotten bad enough that it is permenant right now. I will keep you updated too. Thanks.

10-09-2001, 10:08 PM	#4
smithbling Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada Posts: 239	IMO you should replace the fuel pump and do a complete tuneup. Wires, distrib etc, plugs, maybe even throw in an MSD coil or ignition. Still from what I have seen it is your fuel pump and she is difficult to start because of some flooding etc. Good Luck. BTW, post this on corral.net or stangnet.com they have far more memeber traffic there. ------------------ 88 Notch MAC Headers, MAC H-pipe, MAC Pullies, KN, and BM Shifter Best ET: 14.689 Best MPH: 98.54 Best 60': 2.333

10-10-2001, 11:52 AM	#5
KobraLX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hillbilly Cajun Posts: 25	I didn't get time last night to run some codes on it but I have already decided to replace the fuel pump, coil, TFI, TPS and maybe the o2 sensors. At 183,000, I don't feel this is jumping the gun any. smithbling, I will try stang.net but I have already beat you to posting on the corral. Thanks.

10-10-2001, 11:10 PM	#6
88GT5.013.02 Guest Posts: n/a	I would say it is the either the TFI module, the fuel pump, or the fuel pump relay. Jason

10-24-2001, 01:33 PM	#7
KobraLX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hillbilly Cajun Posts: 25	UPDATE Well due to the 80' X 45' barn that my dad, my brother and me have been building this summer, I just got around to tackling some of my problems last night. Well a week ago I received my new 190lph pump, Kirban regulator, and some 9mm Ford wires for my T-Bird (seperate job here). Also yesterday I purchased a new TFI. I installed it last night on the driveway. Before I installed it, I tried repeatedly to get it started to no avail. I installed the part and bam fired up. However I had to remove the distributor to get that back screw out and when I replaced it I think I got it slightly off so continued to advance the timing (no timing light - knew I should have bought one of those) a little at a time until it ran reasonable. However the idle is a little off in sound and it has no pulling past 2000rpm on the road. I assume it is still retarded and needs to be advanced some more. Also eventhough I marked it, I think as I put it in it moved slightly and I need to total take it out again and set it back maybe one tooth on the cam. I am going to search on this but any help would be appreciated. Any easy ways of getting everything exactly right again....

10-24-2001, 04:31 PM	#8
John R. Mustang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Rolla, MO, USA Posts: 187	Definitely sounds like a TFI module going bad to me. When it goes bad it doesn’t allow the engine to fire therefore causing a no start condition. Sometimes the modules don’t go out all at once explaining your “run fine one day, not the next” situation. This is only $30 -$40 part so give it a shot, should fix your problems.