Stang stuck at work...no start

[J-rod]

so yesterday.....I think everything is normal and go out to get in the Stang and go home.....nope. not happening.

it cranks and cranks but is either not getting spark or fuel.

My fuel pump is powering up and seems to be working. pump supposed to be less than a year old. I tried to test the fuel pressure at schrader valve but the gauge they gave me is busted....so I was able to check the old way....pressed in the valve and turned key on and fuel shot out well....so should be good right?

I pulled the vac hose off the FPR and did not have any fuel come out of the hose or squirt out of the FPR. did smell some fuel but I am sure that is normal from vapors.

Am I missing something when it comes to the FPR? anything to test without the fuel psi gauge I can check in the morning?

got spark coming out of the coil. Though had no spark at the end of plug wire.

found and pulled the TFI Module. Took it to AAP and had it tested several times. They said it failed every time.

I had AAP order me an Accel TFI module and it will be in tomorrow. Anything wrong with the Accel TFI?

Just odd to have happened immediately with no warning.

[John4cam]

If you have fuel at the Schrader valve you should be getting fuel to your injectors....

[J-rod]

My thoughts exactly.

how common is it for a TFI to fail on the 94-95 models?

i know I have spark at the ignition coil. But nothing at the plug wires to plugs

[White5.0]

how common is it for a TFI to fail on the 94-95 models?




Its actually somewhat common, and a bad one will cause just what you're describing. pop in the new one and you should (hopefully) be good to go. Some people actually relocate theirs because I think the heat is what kills them. At least in the fox bodys people relocate them cause they're attached right to the distributor, not sure where they are on the 94/95s. I know the coil is in a different spot...

[J-rod]

The 94-95 TFI is located in a heat sink on the passenger side fender under the air intake.

[John4cam]

Its actually somewhat common, and a bad one will cause just what you're describing. pop in the new one and you should (hopefully) be good to go. Some people actually relocate theirs because I think the heat is what kills them. At least in the fox bodys people relocate them cause they're attached right to the distributor, not sure where they are on the 94/95s. I know the coil is in a different spot...

I agree with this plus it does the old one minute it works and the next it's done. No warning.

[Mark Aubele]

They go bad all the time.

[juice_man_86]

Not sure about the 94-95's but the ones in the distributor actually had a recall on them.

Sent from my Moto G

[J-rod]

I am almost certain it is spark related. As in not getting spark past the ignition coil. Hopefully get back in town this evening and pick up the TFI and hopefully fire up the stang

[blksunshine88]

Either the module on the fender well, or the pickup in the distributor took a poop.

[J-rod]

it is starting.....running.....and home.

Though the $50 wasted on the TFI could have done without. AAP tested it and "failed" every time. put in a new one and still no start.

Ironically/Sadly it ended up being cap/rotor. what I should have started with in the beginning. Oh well....$75 later she is home and running ok.

time for plugs and wires now to complete it LOL

Thanks for all the suggestions and thoughts here.

[PaxtonShelby]

Glad you got it sorted out and home safe.

[J-rod]

I spoke too soon. it started several times yesterday evening....drove 30 miles home. all good.

get up this morning to go to work and no start.

So I left its butt at home and drove my Jeep LOL

[gpfarrell]

Could it be moisture related? Was it wet the first time it quit?

[John4cam]

I spoke too soon. it started several times yesterday evening....drove 30 miles home. all good.

get up this morning to go to work and no start.

So I left its butt at home and drove my Jeep LOL

Did you end up putting the new TFI module on or the old one?

[J-rod]

Could it be moisture related? Was it wet the first time it quit?

no. first time it quit was a nice warm day. then it was in a garage for a couple days so shouldnt be a moisture issue.

looks like I gonna try the pickup this weekend weather permitting

[J-rod]

Did you end up putting the new TFI module on or the old one?


The new one. I plan to pull it off and have AAP test it too. from what I am gathering they all test bad on their machine....

I kept the OEM one

[J-rod]

should the pickup throw a code if faulty?

[juice_man_86]

Almost nothing throws a code on these old mustangs lol

Sent from my Moto G

[J-rod]

I have heard the tach should jump a little when the coil is supplied power with the key on. Mine does not move at all. could the coil have enough spark when jumped at the coil but not enough when connected and try to start?

When I removed the coil wire off the coil itself and jumpered it I had spark. When I tried to jumper it from the other end of the plug wire (end went on cap) I had no spark.

could the spark be too weak?

[J-rod]

coil replacement did nothing.


Any way to test a pickup or just replace and hope?

[Dan B.]

Electrical problems suck.

[Red98GT]

Mine was cranking and cranking but would not start. Ended up being the computer. My fuel pump wasn't working, I tried changing that first and then my buddy tried a spare computer he had. It started but idled funny, the tps censor was reading voltage off of the ground. Ended up being that his other computer was bad also bc we tried another one and it was fine. So I ordered a new one. Not sure about yours but thought I would let you know about mine.

[J-rod]

Electrical problems suck.

that they do! lol

[J-rod]

ok so.....should the tach jump or not when the ignition is turned to on but not cranking? or should it only jump when cranking?

I am trying to find a dizzy to borrow and see if it fixes but I only know one local person with an SN 5.0

[TJH64]

Right before I dropped the stroker in, I was having the exact same problem with mine. Replaced TFI module, coil, rebuilt the stock distributor....nothing seemed to work. I don't recall how or why I decided to look into the engine coolant temp sensor symptoms, but what I found seemed to mirror the problems of my car. So I replaced the sensor, which was about 15 bux, and no more issues. Thought I would share my experience, hope it works out for you.

[J-rod]

really? I would not have guessed that at all.

did you have a CEL code for a coolant temp sensor? I have pulled codes twice and I hahve no codes.

[TJH64]

really? I would not have guessed that at all.

did you have a CEL code for a coolant temp sensor? I have pulled codes twice and I hahve no codes.

No, I had zero codes. That is what made it so frustrating.

[J-rod]

just ordered a reman dizzy with new pickup installed. gonna try it and see what happens.

[juice_man_86]

I had a 79 Datsun 280zx that a bad coolant sensor caused that same problem

[J-rod]

The coolant temp sensor would not prohibit spark to the plugs though would it?

[Silverhatch]

If the coil was good at the head, but once the wire attached it didn't spark on the dizzy side, I would have replaced the coil wire first.

[J-rod]

I did that previously.

Though I only hooked it right to the dizzy. Not check for spark as I was alone and had nobody to crank for me.

it didn't fire when the wire was replaced

[Silverhatch]

I did that previously.

Though I only hooked it right to the dizzy. Not check for spark as I was alone and had nobody to crank for me.

it didn't fire when the wire was replaced
Turn key to run and jump solenoid with a insulated screwdriver.

[TJH64]

the coolant temp sensor would not prohibit spark to the plugs though would it?

yes!!

[Silverhatch]

I could see it messing with the fuel for a/f ratio, but spark?

[J-rod]

Turn key to run and jump solenoid with a insulated screwdriver.

would be a ton easier if the 94 had an engine bay mounted starter solenoid. LOL. Will pick up a remote starter switch and give it a shot.

Thanks!

[White5.0]

yes!!

I don't believe this is correct^ .... the coolant temp sensor is used by the computer to adjust A/F ratio. Even if the sensor is completely unplugged, the car should still run as the computer uses default values in case the sensor is faulty or unplugged. shouldn't affect cranking spark at all

[juice_man_86]

So unplug it and see if it starts

Sent from my Moto G

[J-rod]

Had a few minutes between work and practice today so I got the ignition tester out.

For sure:
spark at ignition coil
spark through ignition coil to cap
no spark at spark plug wire end

going to pull the advance auto TFI on Saturday morning and have it tested along side the oem unit they originally said was bad while I wait on my dizzy from rockauto

[J-rod]

Well I can safely (I think) say it is running again.

replaced the dizzy and spark plugs and it is running pretty well. Will replace plug wires very soon and also double check timing but seems like my buddy got it in time pretty good with just his ear. http://www.jeepinwv.com/forum/images/smilies/like.gif

Had AAP in Mannington test both my OEM and BWD TFI module and both tested good. So I had them refund my money on the BWD since my OEM was fine even though AAP In Bport told me it was bad.


so.....so far so good. took it for a cruise today and got breakfast with the wife. now to tweak a couple things. going to install a cooler T-stat, UD pullies, and bump timing....and enjoy the summer

Thanks for all the assistance and suggestions on what/where to look. I enjoyed it.

[Silverhatch]

good to hear.