Fuel pump, Ignition module or something else?
 

Well I'm driving to work and I'm coming up to a corner that I wanna slow down for so I downshift to 4th and use my brakes a little. I come out of the corner to speed up and there is nothing there. I kept stepping on the gas and could hear the cold air intake sucking in air but the car wasn't accelorating. I then downshift to 2nd and there was a tiny bit of acceloration for second then the car just rolled to a stop. I tried to start the car and it turned over fine but just didn't catch. I'm ruling out battery or alternator because about 5 seconds before I took the corner my battery gauge was doing perfect. I'm sure this is a common problem with a common fix, but I haven't had time to look at it yet. What do you guys think?

Let me get this straight. You turned the corner and the car died? When you downshifted into second, did you dump the clutch? If you did, it should have started. But if you were driving along and when you let off the gas, it died, it is probably the fuel pump. But it could also be the inertia switch (fuel pump cut off). When you turn the key on, do you hear the fuel pump whine for about 2 seconds? Did the car do any sputtering while you were driving it? The answer to these questions will help us determine your problem. One more thing, if it is the ignition module, it will shut the fuel pump off too.

No gas, no go
 

Sounds like a FP to me - but - if the gas level in the tank was very low that could explain it, to a point. The fuel pump couldn't suck up enough gas to run the car as the fuel sloshed to the opposite side during the turn and this killed the engine. Solution is to add gas to the tank and let the FP run until the engine is primed and able to start, then fill the tank, ASAP.

If you had plenty of gas in the tank then I would guess a failed FP or FP relay.

...speaking of low gas levels, I remember being told that you should NEVER run around on less than a 1/4 tank with an in-tank fuel pump. Why? Because it causes the pump to run hotter than if it were totally submerged in gas to keep 'er cool.

I'm with the other guys on this one... either pump or relay, but your TFI module could be getting ready to take a crap on you also... something to check. Again, listen for your pump to build pressure with the Key On Engine Off. If you can crank the motor over with the key and not get any fire I suspect it's your TFI module, a very common, failure prone part.

Good Luck

you weren't low on gas were you? If you were, and turned right, all of the gas went to the left side of the tank. The pickup is on the right side. What's up? Let us know what fixes it.

I'm on my lunch break so lemme try to make this quick. I haven't had enough time to check the car too well but I'm off the next 4 days. Well I didn't dump the clutch when it happened. The fuel pump does still whine and the car did not sputter at all. The gas tank reads at exactly 1/4 tank. And the turn I took was a turn to the left. I'll read your replies when I get back home around 9:30pm EST and I'll be trying to fix the car in the next few days. Thanx guys!

Matt

TFI module.

Take care,
-Chris

definitely the TFI module. Located on the side of the distributor.

WORD!!!http://forums.stangnet.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif

...listen to PKRWUD, he da man! http://forums.stangnet.com/images/smilies/cheers.gif

Well guys just to let everyone know, I replaced the TFI Module and everything is great now. Thanx!!!

EXCELLENT!

Good job!!

:)

Take care,
-Chris

in the voice of Sam Kinison...
 

OH! - OOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!! :D

sorry, PKRWUD's avatar made me do it :)


...love them TFI modules! I hope you put some di-electric silicone compound betweent the mod. and the dist. housing Matt... that keeps it cool??? PKRWUD??? what is that stuff for?

It helps dissipate the heat.

Take care,
-Chris

keeps it cool / dissipates the heat.... word-up dawg!;)

I lost track of how many TFI modules I've replaced ...on my car alone.

haha yes I put the grease on.......I put it on almost as good as the cream cheese on my bagel! nice smooth and even

mmmmmmmmmm.... bagel w/ cream cheese ...if I put as much di-electric silicone compound on my TFI as I do cream cheese on a bagel.... well, that would be messy.

Ok, this is going nowhere....

Good to hear ya got the problem solved dudehttp://forums.stangnet.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif

Laters!

ps - someone needs to buy PKRWUD a cape and some tights, maybe just a cape... LOL! Everytime I stop by this site, he's solving someone's headache... I'm no exception!

LOL. Unless there is a Brunette with hair down to her arse in them, I'll just take the bagel and cream cheese.

Thanks though!

:)

Take care,
-Chris