Car won't start. Long.

[NitroNixon]

I really need help.

I was driving my stang yesterday on the highway when suddenly it hesitated, backfired, then shut down. I was able to restart the engine briefly, but the idle was poor and it shut down again. Upon inspection, I noticed that I was getting fuel pressure, but no SPARK. My dad determined this by check my sparkplug wires while I cranked the engine. My fuel pressure gauge reads 32psi when I turn the key on, and I can hear the pump priming.

We went to the auto parts store and bought a new coil and TFI module, (the module that goes on the distributor). At this point the car had sat for 30 minutes. When I tried to start the engine, it fired right up, and idled fine, so I took off with it, only to make it 1 block before it hesitated, backfired, and shut down again.

No the engine won't fire-up at all, it cranks fine, but won't fire. I did manage to start the engine a few times but it would only run for a short period before it would start the idle horribly the shut down. I tried everything I possibly could, even swapped out the distributor, and nothing. I ended up sitting on the side of the road for 5 hours, before I finally had the car towed home.

Any suggestions. I'm really considering selling this car.

[83GTMUSTANG]

Which Ignition System Do You Have If Its After Market Check Your Wiring Did You Get The Last Coil Checked At The Auto Parts...........

[NitroNixon]

I have the Crane Fireball ignition box, the box seems to be working because the light comes on when I turn the key. It engine shows the same simptoms with the new coil and old coil. (no fire) The ignition box was installed when I purchased the car. I'm thinking of remove the box to see if the standard ignition system is working, but I don't know how this box was wire up.

[83GTMUSTANG]

I Had A Crane Hi-6s Gave Me Hell It Would Drive A Block Or Two Then Cut Off But The Light Would Still Be On,,,,,,,,,,so I Swiched To Msd 6al Box 1 Year Not 1 Problem Sofar.........check The Wires Or Go Back To Your Factory Stuff...........good Luck

[NitroNixon]

I will definitely look into this.

[Ian Gorman]

Do you know if the fuel pressure is staying up once the car is running? You may have enough pressure for idle but once you put a load on the system the pressure could be dropping, causing the stalls. Have you checked to see if the fuel pump relay is getting hot? It shouldn't. I've have had similar symptoms but have been told that my fule pump has developed an internal ground and is about to be replaced. Have the relay checked out, the extra draw from a failing pump burns them up pretty quickly. I replaced two within 3,000 miles before I realized what was going on.

[NitroNixon]

I haven't had a chance to check my feul pressure gauge while the engine was running. But when I initially turn the key, I can hear the buzzing from the pump and the fuel pressure rises to around 32psi.

Where is the feul pump relay located?

I have an 87 GT Hatchback.

[Ian Gorman]

I think on an 87 it is under the driver's seat. It is mounted to the metal boltdown bracket right under the middle of the seat. Just take out the bolt and gently pull the whole assembly forward. When I remounted mine I did not tighten everything up so that when it went out again I could replace thye relay without using any tools.

Did you use a timing light when you were checking for spark? You seem pretty convinced that spark was the problem and I must admit that originally a bad coil had crossed my mind but the electricals checked out OK.