Car Dying - Changed TFI - What now?

[ProKiller]

i would start with 10*. most times when you have a tune like that they leave the timing at stock 10 and tune from there.

 

[sc mustang]

Closing this story out for anyone having random dying problems. My problem definitely seemed to be the Hall effect sensor (PIP) in the distributor. Drove the car a lot yesterday and no dying. I now have other issues to contend with (misfiring) but as far as the random dying goes, I think the distributor rebuild did the job

Thanks again for the help

 

[99FiveOh]

Nice to see that you fixed your problem!

Question, did your car have a misfire before the PIP swap?

 

[sc mustang]

No - it sure didn't. When it ran - it was beautiful - was just dying randomly before the PIP swap. Now it doesn't die but is doing the misfire thing.

 

[99FiveOh]

Ok, this is sounding just like my problem. I changed my PIP sensor and I started getting all kinds of hesitation and misfiring at around 4-5k rpms.

I ended up pulling that PIP sensor out (I got from Advance Auto Parts, which is probably the same one you got!) and went with a quality NAPA unit. Now I can spin the motor to the rev limiter without a hint of misfire!! I'm dead serious about this, I posted this problem on another forum and I got a few people telling me to take the PIP back to Advance and get one from the dealer or Napa!!

 

[sc mustang]

OK - thanks for the tip. I'll take it back out this weekend. So just to follow up on an earlier comment.... are all the hall effect sensors the same? In other words - does one designed for a stock Ford distributor also work on an MSD?

 

[99FiveOh]

I believe so. Can you snap a pic of maybe your old sensor for us? I can tell you then if it's the same.

 

[sc mustang]

Here we go again

Car randomly died again today after a 10 minute drive and wouldn't restart. Didn't even have time to go get a new PIP.

I may just find an old stock distributor to stick on or maybe buy a new MSD.

Alternator is also hotter than hell - not sure if thats appropriate or not.

 

[sc mustang]

False alarm

The SPOUT wire and connector that I installed was so long that it touched the manifold and then was grounding out.

Just need to deal with the missing and backfire at 4000 rpm now

 

[sc mustang]

Thanks to The_Mustang

I wanted to follow up on this thread with an ultimate solution for those someday with similar problems. Quick summary below:

Car ran great but started dying and wouldn't start
Changed TFI module - no help
Rebuilt the distributor with an Autozone PIP (Hall Effect Sensor)
This fixed the dying and starting problem - but car started missing at 4,000 RPM +
"The_Mustang" told me to try another PIP - he had the same problem with an Autozone
Finally switched to a 41 dollar NAPA PIP.
Car wouldn't start - oops - don't forget to mark both distrubutor housing and rotor position !!!
Figured out what I did wrong on distributor re-install and corrected.
Car now runs great with new PIP installed.
Thanks for the help everyone and especially Mark for the final solution !!!

 

[99FiveOh]

Nice to see you got it fixed finally!! I believe the company that makes those PIP sensors needs to be made aware of this problem as they are selling alot of faulty parts and causing all kinds of headaches for people!

NAPA FTMFW!!!

 

[U2'SLO]

351's are actually 5.8's sir!

And here's the link to the information on swapping the pip:

How-To: Rebuild Your Distributor and Replace the Stator

So is it PIP the same thing as the Stator??? I am having the same problem withthe car not restarting. I replaced the hole dist. ran good for about 3 weeks then back to the same. I did buy the dist. from Auto Zone so is that my problem? I have fuel pressure and spark. I don't have a Napa where I live so would an O'Reilly PIP be good?

 

[sc mustang]

I believe that PIP, Stator and Hall Effect Sensor are all different names for the same part.

I better let someone with more experience answer about the autozone distributor. I have an MSD distributor in mine (94 GT 347 stroker). I suppose you could try rebuilding your new Autozone distributor with a different stator/PIP. Not sure when and at what cost it makes sense to just move to a different distributor. I do know this - if you buy a different distributor such as Mallory, Orielly, MSD, NAPA etc and it fixes the problem - Autozone will probably take the distributor back. They took the PIP they sold me back and returned my money when I told them that their part did not solve the problem but the one from NAPA did.

Best of luck

 

[99FiveOh]

I actually installed a PIP from Advance Auto Parts. But it's the same brand BWD as the rest of the discount parts houses. I miss Wells parts. They were always a good brand!

 

[U2'SLO]

May Ill get one from Ford, they want $70 for it.? I also called O'Reilly and a Borg Warner one is $37.99. Is Borg Warner a good brand?

 

[99FiveOh]

Well, Borg Warner made our beloved T5's for many years not to mention a host of other parts for a number of different makes and models. I'm sure it'll be quality piece, especially if you live by the "get what you pay for" mentality!