This is topic HELP ME!! car wont start!!! in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by 23boy5.0 (Member # 5511) on :
 
this is the story. 1987 ford mustang 5.0 5 speed

my car started acting up last week. it would drive fine then it would cut off while i was driving, so i took it to my homie to take a look at it (he owns a shop) he said it could be my map sensor, Ignition mudule, burnt spark plug wire, etc. basically something electrical.

a few days ago it shut off on me but didnt start back up. i tried to compression start it (it is a 5-speed) and that wouldnt work, so i walked to kragen to get some spark plug wires, distributer cap, and rotor. after i changed the burnt wire and it wouldnt start. so i changed the spark plug wire connecting to the ignition coil and it started right up.

After all that i got home and now it doesnt start AT ALL. i think the problem is the ignition module, or the ignition coil,

IS THERE ANY MORE ADVICE? i already ordered an ignition module from summit racing today, please help me out it is my only car right now and i have to go to work, thanks
 

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Posted by 23boy5.0 (Member # 5511) on :
 
HELP!!
 

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Posted by jadesville (Member # 5885) on :
 
Autozone has some decent information. These modules going out are sort of common.

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/17/fc/6e/0900823d8017fc6e.jsp

[ December 09, 2005, 02:05 AM: Message edited by: jadesville ]
 

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Posted by 1FAST89GT (Member # 5071) on :
 
early signs of a fuel pump going out maybe?
 

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Posted by 23boy5.0 (Member # 5511) on :
 
if its a feul pump, would'nt it be sputtering, bcuz it doesnt do that
 

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Posted by two-gun kid (Member # 5891) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 23boy5.0:
if its a feul pump, would'nt it be sputtering, bcuz it doesnt do that

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it would start and sputter then shut off
 

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Posted by 92stangLX (Member # 3252) on :
 
Turn the ignition to the ON position and listen to see if the fuel pump is running. If you don't hear it then that's probably what it is.

My dad had a similar issue with his '89 GT. Turned out to be the TFI module.

EDIT: If it's not the fuel pump then I would test to make sure you are getting spark. You can buy an in-line spark tester for a few bucks. This will help you isolate it down to fuel or spark.



[ December 09, 2005, 10:06 AM: Message edited by: 92stangLX ]
 

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Posted by 89SC50 (Member # 6248) on :
 
yea check the TFI, also the starter relay it can give you intermitant problems when it goes out.
 

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Posted by hockeyguy713 (Member # 5354) on :
 
had a similar problem with my 91 GT. you're just going to have to check all common problems. 92stanglx was right, probably replace the TFI module, same with checking the fuel pump. Replacing the starter relay is worth a shot too.
 

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Posted by Danny6590 (Member # 6289) on :
 
TFI control module and starter relay would most likely be the bad ones. I have had this happen a few times with ford cars and trucks. Change those two and you should be back in business.
 

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Posted by 23boy5.0 (Member # 5511) on :
 
ok, i installed the new tfi module and still nuthing, i still dont think im getting any spark
 

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Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :
 
Ok, have you actually checked for spark? It might be a good idea rather than throwing parts at it.

When you installed the TFI module, you did use the correct insulating sealant, right?
 

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Posted by 23boy5.0 (Member # 5511) on :
 
yes i used the correct sealant, how do i check my spark, and what do i do if i dont have a spark?
 

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Posted by 23boy5.0 (Member # 5511) on :
 
how do i check for spark anyway?
 

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Posted by a50sn95 (Member # 527) on :
 
Well, you COULD pull a plug wire and stick it on your tongue, you know, like checking 9 volt batteries. Just have a buddy crank it over...
Sorry, couldn't resist. But hey, if you DON'T have spark, all is cool. (Really, please don't do it this way...)
Seriously, a quick test is to pull a plug wire, slide the boot up a bit if you can, and hold the exposed terminal close to a piece of metal on the engine. Have someone crank it over. You should see a fairly bright arc of electricity. If you can't slide the boot up, use the end of a screwdriver to touch the terminal up in the boot, and hold the exposed shaft closed to metal on the engine.
You don't have a pacemaker, do you?
TRY NOT to touch the metal yourself. It'll hurt, but it shouldn't kill you....
 

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Posted by a50sn95 (Member # 527) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by two-gun kid:
it would start and sputter then shut off

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