This is topic 5 days in and my first problem has reared its face...update 2 in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
1987 4 cylinder mustang....
Drove it with no problems when I bought it on july 4th, passed smog with flying colors on july 5th, drove it home last night and it was fine, go to start it this morning and boom, wont start. Initially it started but bogged out and died, turn key, start, bog, die, then nothing. I replaced the coil and nothing, pulled the spark plugs and they were extremely dirty so I gently wiped them with a rag and hit them with a wire brush, still no start. It has fuel for sure just no spark. My funds are limited so I turn to the board for help. The car will turn and turn and turn but just wont start. I tried using the number 1 spark plug as my coil wire and left the 1 plug uncapped and it almost started but wouldn't so I'm stumped. Help me please.

[ 2013-07-13, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: x Raelsmar x ]
 
Posted by BIGBALLFACTOR (Member # 7277) on :
 
Check the timing belt is not broken
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by BIGBALLFACTOR:
Check the timing belt is not broken
one of my good friends as well as the boards own JaeJae have looked at it and both agree their is just NO spark, I'm led to believe it is the distributor but not 100% so I'm on here. lol. I very highly doubt it's the timing chain because I drove it yesterday and last night, parked it in my driveway and came out around 2pm and it just wouldn't start.
 
Posted by BIGBALLFACTOR (Member # 7277) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by x Raelsmar x:
quote:
Originally posted by BIGBALLFACTOR:
Check the timing belt is not broken
one of my good friends as well as the boards own JaeJae have looked at it and both agree their is just NO spark, I'm led to believe it is the distributor but not 100% so I'm on here. lol. I very highly doubt it's the timing chain because I drove it yesterday and last night, parked it in my driveway and came out around 2pm and it just wouldn't start.
Check the belt. An what year is it
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by BIGBALLFACTOR:
quote:
Originally posted by x Raelsmar x:
quote:
Originally posted by BIGBALLFACTOR:
Check the timing belt is not broken
one of my good friends as well as the boards own JaeJae have looked at it and both agree their is just NO spark, I'm led to believe it is the distributor but not 100% so I'm on here. lol. I very highly doubt it's the timing chain because I drove it yesterday and last night, parked it in my driveway and came out around 2pm and it just wouldn't start.
Check the belt. An what year is it
It's an 87. I will check the belt in the AM when there is some light.
 
Posted by SIC9250 (Member # 8216) on :
 
Your missing 4 cyl that's why [Wink]
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SIC9250:
Your missing 4 cyl that's why [Wink]
haha it took me a minute to figure this out, very funny.
 
Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :
 
Hmmmmm, asking for crystal ball diagnostics........... So you have fuel, you removed a plug and saw spark jump, or not? If not, start tracing the issue back.
 
Posted by Stang66 (Member # 10504) on :
 
VTEC kicked in?
Check your ignition coil to see if it sending a spark to the distributor?
 
Posted by Boss 327 (Member # 9143) on :
 
Maybe the ignition control module?
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
I'm not sure there is any spark, I replaced the coil but had the same problem. I tested spark using a plug but couldn't see anything, but then again I think the plug is bad. 4 bad plugs could very well be my issue.
 
Posted by BIGBALLFACTOR (Member # 7277) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by x Raelsmar x:
I'm not sure there is any spark, I replaced the coil but had the same problem. I tested spark using a plug but couldn't see anything, but then again I think the plug is bad. 4 bad plugs could very well be my issue.
It would run still but would run like shit
 
Posted by Robb (Member # 9444) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boss 327:
Maybe the ignition control module?
My guess aswell
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Robb:
quote:
Originally posted by Boss 327:
Maybe the ignition control module?
My guess aswell
Which is located where? The car turns it just won't fire, the 2 lucky times it did fire up it just fell flat on its face and died. lol
 
Posted by red5o (Member # 12651) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boss 327:
Maybe the ignition control module?
+1 Or pick up coil
 
Posted by cemelevu (Member # 10601) on :
 
tfi module on the side of the distributor. had an 88 4cyl that did the same thing to me on the way to tahoe one time.
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by cemelevu:
tfi module on the side of the distributor. had an 88 4cyl that did the same thing to me on the way to tahoe one time.
This is what one of my friends has said too. I'm just trying to pinpoint the problem so I don't waste money, cause I don't have it.
 
Posted by BIGBALLFACTOR (Member # 7277) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by x Raelsmar x:
quote:
Originally posted by cemelevu:
tfi module on the side of the distributor. had an 88 4cyl that did the same thing to me on the way to tahoe one time.
This is what one of my friends has said too. I'm just trying to pinpoint the problem so I don't waste money, cause I don't have it.
Have you pulled the cap off the distributor yet
 
Posted by cemelevu (Member # 10601) on :
 
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5023948_troubleshooting-ford-ignition-module.html
 
Posted by Robb (Member # 9444) on :
 
If you want to be cheap, Go to pick n pull and pull a module off a 4cyl ford out there.
 
Posted by SLOWFOX (Member # 11067) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by x Raelsmar x:
quote:
Originally posted by cemelevu:
tfi module on the side of the distributor. had an 88 4cyl that did the same thing to me on the way to tahoe one time.
This is what one of my friends has said too. I'm just trying to pinpoint the problem so I don't waste money, cause I don't have it.
Take module off and bring it to kragens or what ever and they test it for free man you need special tool though its like 5bucks as well.
 
Posted by wilit (Member # 3367) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by x Raelsmar x:
quote:
Originally posted by cemelevu:
tfi module on the side of the distributor. had an 88 4cyl that did the same thing to me on the way to tahoe one time.
This is what one of my friends has said too. I'm just trying to pinpoint the problem so I don't waste money, cause I don't have it.
9 times out of 10 when an '80s Mustang has a crank-no-start issue, it's the TFI module.
 
Posted by RedBaron (Member # 4361) on :
 
Not sure on year, but does this car have the 2.3 timing belt motor with a distributor? I know that there were issues with stripped gear pins due to siezed oil pumps- check to make sure the distributor is turning when you crank. This also tells you whats up with your timing belt-
 
Posted by triple black hatch (Member # 5420) on :
 
pull the cap off the distributor make sure the rotor is not burned.

[ 2013-07-10, 08:23 AM: Message edited by: triple black hatch ]
 
Posted by i (Member # 12534) on :
 
Time 4 a v8 swap
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
Replaced all 4 spark plugs and actually got the car to start.

however if i let the rpms stay under 2k it bogs out and dies.

any ideas?
 
Posted by 93 5.0 (Member # 12418) on :
 
My v8 did the same that on the 4th too and my prob was my ecu went out on me it did the same thing yours did and gave me 8diff codes
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
Replaced cap, rotor, plugs and wires and it still won't start. After replacing the plugs I got it to start a few times but it bogged out and died if it fell below 2000 rpms. But again, still won't start. I'm stumped and irate cause I need this thing to start so I can sell it, I am absolutely sick of this car.
 
Posted by 93 5.0 (Member # 12418) on :
 
Any codes?
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 93 5.0:
Any codes?
I don't have a code reader, but, there is no CEL. I bought a new TFI, gonna install later today and attempt to set my timing.
 
Posted by 93 5.0 (Member # 12418) on :
 
You can use a paper clip and jump it over the cel will flash and tell you the code mine did the same and I put the clip to it and 8 code came up
 
Posted by x Raelsmar x (Member # 9804) on :
 
I replaced the TFI and it started once but very rough, I let it fall under 1500 rpm and it died. I'm forced to believe that the timing belt has skipped a tooth or 3 because it's very violent sometimes when it trys to start up.
 




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