ok earlier this week i started a thread concerned with my overheating problems, well i tried to do the suggested tests and maintenances only one problem...my car doesnt run now. i have to jump it to get it started, and as soon as it turns over, it dies. it did this before and i blamed the fuel pump, so i replaced the fuel pump, jumped the car and it ran fine(with the exception of my overheating problem). so yesterday my grandfathers friend was over at my house and saw how my car started then died and quickly said it was the tfi. could he be right? thanks again.
car not running tfi to blame?
- Thread starter p.exeter_bleu
- Start date
Did he say why he thinks it's the TFI? It really could be a lot of things...
Jrichker will prob. come along and post his handy info, but until then, i'll try to offer some advice...
If your car cranks but won't start, fuel and spark are the first things to check.
Check and make sure your spark plug wires are all plugged up and in the correct order. If they are and it still doesn't start, take your coil wire and hold it (insulated pliars wouldn't be a bad idea - but don't hold the boot - if you question this, try it and you'll see why
) about 1/8 inch from metal and have someone crank...see if spark jumps, if not, then your coil is bad. If it does, then your coil should be fine.
If you have a fuel pressure guage, test fuel pressure - it should be fine if you just replaced the pump, but weirder things have happened. Does the pump prime when you turn the key? Turn the key on like you're gonna start it, but don't crank, the pump should prime for a few seconds. There's a PIP sensor in the distributer that tells the fuel pump to turn on when the shaft is moving, so if your fuel pump isn't turning on, your PIP sensor could be bad.
If you haven't messed w/ timing, then timing probably isn't off - if you have, that could be it. Make sure your spout connector is plugged in...it's the little gray plug off of the harness for the TFI.
I don't know much about the TFI or how to test it, hopefully someone else can help you out there.
Jrichker will prob. come along and post his handy info, but until then, i'll try to offer some advice...
If your car cranks but won't start, fuel and spark are the first things to check.
Check and make sure your spark plug wires are all plugged up and in the correct order. If they are and it still doesn't start, take your coil wire and hold it (insulated pliars wouldn't be a bad idea - but don't hold the boot - if you question this, try it and you'll see why
) about 1/8 inch from metal and have someone crank...see if spark jumps, if not, then your coil is bad. If it does, then your coil should be fine.If you have a fuel pressure guage, test fuel pressure - it should be fine if you just replaced the pump, but weirder things have happened. Does the pump prime when you turn the key? Turn the key on like you're gonna start it, but don't crank, the pump should prime for a few seconds. There's a PIP sensor in the distributer that tells the fuel pump to turn on when the shaft is moving, so if your fuel pump isn't turning on, your PIP sensor could be bad.
If you haven't messed w/ timing, then timing probably isn't off - if you have, that could be it. Make sure your spout connector is plugged in...it's the little gray plug off of the harness for the TFI.
I don't know much about the TFI or how to test it, hopefully someone else can help you out there.
ram360
Founding Member
Are you sure the battery is holding a charge. You can have it tested at autozone or something. Sounds like the battery is bad if you have to jump it just to start the car in the first place.
Also just pull the TFI off your car. You'll need the ford ignition module wrench for that. Take that to autozone and they can test that for you as well. Insead of buying one and finding out it's not the prob. They are known for failing.
Also just pull the TFI off your car. You'll need the ford ignition module wrench for that. Take that to autozone and they can test that for you as well. Insead of buying one and finding out it's not the prob. They are known for failing.
bgjohnson
Founding Member
I know that somtimes the pumps primes at startup, but once the engine starts the pump stops working and the motor is running off the pressure that was first used when the pump primed itself. that's why it would just shut off. I also know that if you have a big enough vacuum leak it will do the same thing. I think it would be a good idea to check the PIP sensor,and hook up a fuel pressure gauge, it will help narrow things down a bit.good luck.
any codes?
as said, you need to determine if you have spark (easier than finding if fuel is sufficient and squiring). go from there.
generally TFI's take a poo when they are physically hot. the tools a thin walled socket to remove the module - dont pry it off. get dielectrical grease for reinstallation.
the pick up is in the dizzy. gotta pull the dizzy to replace it.
good luck.
as said, you need to determine if you have spark (easier than finding if fuel is sufficient and squiring). go from there.
generally TFI's take a poo when they are physically hot. the tools a thin walled socket to remove the module - dont pry it off. get dielectrical grease for reinstallation.
the pick up is in the dizzy. gotta pull the dizzy to replace it.
good luck.
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