Cranks but won't start 1994 Cobra

[Deepoo9]

Hello...I have a 1994 Cobra which I bought new...it has been the most reliable car I have ever owned until yesterday....When it died in the middle of an intersecton. NO Spark... Fuel system pressure and pump are fine. I checked the distributor signal at the ignition module with an LED test light and it flashed as it should....had NAPA test the module and as bad as they wanted to sell me a new one, they said the original one was OK. Then I ohmed out the original coil and it checked low ( .2 ohms ) on the primary..It was replaced with a new Ford unit....to no avail. Cleared codes .. Still no spark...finally noticed the check engine light was on before I started to crank engine ...then goes out when you first start cranking engine, but in a second or two starts to flash while still cranking....any IDEAS??? I am stuck...I could take it to the dealer, but am such a cry baby about getting a scratch on the car I would rather make all repairs myself......Thanks for any and all help....Tim

 

[CManT1914]

Have you pulled the codes? Could be your TFI module, it's located in a heatshrink underneath the air inlet tube, and they go out pretty commonly. Without it, there is absolutely no spark. I think it throws a code when it goes out, but I'm not sure. I'd definitely get the codes pulled though.

 

[Deepoo9]

Thanks...

Have you pulled the codes? Could be your TFI module, it's located in a heatshrink underneath the air inlet tube, and they go out pretty commonly. Without it, there is absolutely no spark. I think it throws a code when it goes out, but I'm not sure. I'd definitely get the codes pulled though.

First of all thanks for your imput...No, I did not check for codes...like a moron I did not take the time to check them first and simply cleared them out ...I have not checked the TFI..In fact I forgot all about that part of the ignition system....did not know it was still part of the 1994/95 system. Once again thanks for your help...Tim

 

[HISSIN50]

Chris is more astute that I am - To me the ignition module is the TFI module.

Since I am not following, If you are missing spark and injector pulsing (checked with a noid light), the PIP is likely. If you are only missing spark, the TFI, coil and other ignition components are likely.

Good luck.

 

[CManT1914]

First of all thanks for your imput...No, I did not check for codes...like a moron I did not take the time to check them first and simply cleared them out ...I have not checked the TFI..In fact I forgot all about that part of the ignition system....did not know it was still part of the 1994/95 system. Once again thanks for your help...Tim

No problem Tim! I just hope it's something simple and easy for you like the TFI. I did forget one thing though..............

Welcome to :SNSign: !!! You'll find a lot of great guys on here who REALLY know their stuff. Not like me, I just pretend to know, lol.

EDIT: Like the guy above this post, he is pretty darn close to being a genius when it comes to mustangs.

 

[LoudToy958]

TFI, PIP, man too many parts to check.

Anyhow, I had the same issue a few years ago on my old 95GT. I had about 70k on the clock if I remember right. Turned out the distributor was 180* out somehow. Ended up being a bad distributor. I know you said you checked yours, but pull the cap, and try to see if there is play in the shaft.

 

[Deepoo9]

TFI, PIP, man too many parts to check.

Anyhow, I had the same issue a few years ago on my old 95GT. I had about 70k on the clock if I remember right. Turned out the distributor was 180* out somehow. Ended up being a bad distributor. I know you said you checked yours, but pull the cap, and try to see if there is play in the shaft.

Thanks .... I rechecked the Distributor a few minutes ago...the #1 is firing at the right time...that is if it would generate a spark. I am beginning to think the NAPA module tester may be in error..I can swap one over from my daughters 95 and rule out that problem in the morning..The issue with the check engine light flashing while it is being cranked is the problem that seems to point to something other than the basic failure prone ignition compents...time will tell..Thanks Tim

 

[Koniz]

I had the same thing happen to me disconnect the battery for 45 min and reconnect and try and start it

 

[Deepoo9]

Thanks for the tip....I tried it ...in fact when quit working on it last night I left the cables off all night... still did not start ....And the check engine light still flashes when the engine is cranked...I will see if I can get some time work on it again on Monday...Thanks ....Tim

 

[madams74]

How bout a new cap and rotor button?

 

[Deepoo9]

Well I just got back to working on the car this morning and of course it started without making any changes ...I drove it a block or so and brought it back to my driveway and shut it off...It would not start...waited 5 minutes and it stated right up. There is no spark when it does not start....There has always been a signal from the distributor at the module when the problem exists and the injectors are still being pulsed (and you can smell fuel from the exhaust when you crank it and it does not start) Checked all the connectors for corrosion or loose hardware ...none found. There is no toggling of the LED test light when you probe the trigger side of the coil connector ( there is 12 volts at the power pin to the coil though )...Napa said the module was good, but it appears to me,to be the problem....what do you think??

 

[fiveo'cobra]

That sounds like the ccrm to me. A car not turning over is a main symptom of that.

 

[donkey_punch]

Well I just got back to working on the car this morning and of course it started without making any changes ...I drove it a block or so and brought it back to my driveway and shut it off...It would not start...waited 5 minutes and it stated right up. There is no spark when it does not start....There has always been a signal from the distributor at the module when the problem exists and the injectors are still being pulsed (and you can smell fuel from the exhaust when you crank it and it does not start) Checked all the connectors for corrosion or loose hardware ...none found. There is no toggling of the LED test light when you probe the trigger side of the coil connector ( there is 12 volts at the power pin to the coil though )...Napa said the module was good, but it appears to me,to be the problem....what do you think??

sounds exactly like when my distributor when out on me.

 

[95cobradude]

like these guys said the tfi module (thick film ignition) is under the airbox while the pip sensor, which is essentially the cam sensor is in the distributor. if u have a scan tool u can see if u have any rpm while cranking and if u have injector pulse, if u do then the distributor is not the problem. do u have a noid light set your using to check your injector pulse?

 

[Allmotor95]

My money is in the distributor, pick-up coil or stator !!

 

[fawcett]

i had the same problem, i removed and replaced everything and it came down to my distributer. now i have a brand new ignition system and every part is from mallory. i really thought it was a coil or the tfi or even my hi fire digitial box but again it was the original distributer. something in it went bad and once i replaced it i havnt been happier. i know they are not cheap and they offer little performance enhacements but i should be trouble free in that area for some time and for me thats worth the money.
good luck, of course if you dont want to buy you could borrow parts to test and zero in on your problem, fix it, and get back on the road again.
-fawcett

1995 gts, frpp 340bhp 302, d&d viper spec t56, brembos all around, full mallory ignition system, full exhaust, and the rest of the bolt ons