Hesitation problem

Black Stampede

Founding Member

Sep 3, 2002

1,811

2

39

Grand Rapids, MI

Jan 18, 2006

#1

• Jan 18, 2006

• #1

Hey guys, I just purchased an '89 fox beater 4 banger and on the drive home it was hesitating at lower RPMs really bad. I got it home changed the plugs and the oil and and filled the gas tank. Drove it the next day and it drove great........for about 5 minutes. Now its doing it again really really bad and its to the point where I have to pretty much mat it to get through the hesitation. What is this things problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Btw, the thing costed me 300 bucks so its not like I got ripped off or anything.

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

5,896

73

129

Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Jan 18, 2006

#2

• Jan 18, 2006

• #2

Might try changing the spark plug wires...when I first got my car the terminals on the plug wires were rusty and I couldn't even get it to idle...plus it had problems with hesitation.

If that doesn't solve it....it could be the TFI module.

 

samickguy15

Member

Sep 1, 2005

404

0

16

Delavan, IL

Jan 18, 2006

#3

• Jan 18, 2006

• #3

I would get the computer scanned, see if there's any codes.

 

Black Stampede

Founding Member

Sep 3, 2002

1,811

2

39

Grand Rapids, MI

Jan 18, 2006

#4

• Jan 18, 2006

• #4

How about the fuel filter? Do you think that could be it? Because when you drive it, to get through the hesitation you have to floor it then once its past 2000 RPMs its fine.

 

16vstang

New Member

Oct 8, 2004

100

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0

Way up in Maine

Jan 18, 2006

#5

• Jan 18, 2006

• #5

Sounds like the tfi to me Fuel would make it hesitate on the higher rpms. Wouldnt hurt to change it though.

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

5,896

73

129

Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Jan 18, 2006

#6

• Jan 18, 2006

• #6

Black Stampede said:

How about the fuel filter? Do you think that could be it? Because when you drive it, to get through the hesitation you have to floor it then once its past 2000 RPMs its fine.

Click to expand...

That does sound like a dying TFI. Does it feel kinda like the engine is "loading up" and stumbling real bad? My old '90 2.3L was doing that, I replaced plugs, wires, fuel filter, map sensor...I'm pretty sure it was the TFI module though. I stopped driving it before I ever tried fixing it.

 

Black Stampede

Founding Member

Sep 3, 2002

1,811

2

39

Grand Rapids, MI

Jan 19, 2006

#7

• Jan 19, 2006

• #7

Great. Please explain to me why the tfi is such a . Thanks guys.

 

samickguy15

Member

Sep 1, 2005

404

0

16

Delavan, IL

Jan 19, 2006

#8

• Jan 19, 2006

• #8

The TFI's tend to go out do to heat. Ford has never really had a good place to put them. They were either on the distributor or on the intake, in either case absorbing more heat that disipating. Your best option if you want to relocate it is to either but a relocation kit(not sure who sells them, but they're out there) or make your own heat sink, which would need to be grounded.

 

Black Stampede

Founding Member

Sep 3, 2002

1,811

2

39

Grand Rapids, MI

Jan 19, 2006

#9

• Jan 19, 2006

• #9

it seems after the car sits over night or for an extended period of time it drives fine for a few minutes then the hesitation begins. Does that still sound like tfi? BTw, does tfi throw a code?

 

16vstang

New Member

Oct 8, 2004

100

0

0

Way up in Maine

Jan 20, 2006

#10

• Jan 20, 2006

• #10

Ya its doing that because the car has had a chance to cool right back down to outside temps, but once it heats up it starts to crap out. Sometimes they do mine never did when the tfi went on the 88, but it through a buch of codes when it went on my 91 wich is a dis system. I would say change the tfi if its original then its past due anyways. Just make sure to get a quality one from like nappa may be more expensive but wont crap out on ya in another year. Or you could check around some places offer liftime warrenty ones wich is great even if they crap out every year just take it back and get a new one for free Good luck with your car, Nick

 

white1989

New Member

Oct 31, 2005

66

0

0

Brampton, Ontario

Jan 21, 2006

#11

• Jan 21, 2006

• #11

Does it happen when the engine warms up?

When cold how does it run - normally?

Take a look at the exhaust pipe. Is there excessive black build up in the pipe?

 

Black Stampede

Founding Member

Sep 3, 2002

1,811

2

39

Grand Rapids, MI

Jan 22, 2006

#12

• Jan 22, 2006

• #12

It always does it once its warmed up. And yes, i recall it blowing out black stuff the other day.

 

white1989

New Member

Oct 31, 2005

66

0

0

Brampton, Ontario

Jan 25, 2006

#13

• Jan 25, 2006

• #13

02 sensor. Grab them off ebay for $20.

 

meltmanbob

Member

Dec 18, 2002

392

0

17

san diego CA

Jan 29, 2006

#14

• Jan 29, 2006

• #14

sounds like the same thing going on with my car. i've replaced the oil, oil filter, air filter, plugs, wires. that was a few months ago but it's runnin real crappy. i don't even get a few min of good driving in the mornings. i pulled the codes once and my neighbor who is a mechanic said it was pulling a code for map out of range. also i had problems with my 92 with the O2 sensor, the stang i have now is a 90. i'm thinking the O2 on the 90 stang is going out. also what is the TFI? it's been a while since i was up on my stuff for these cars.

but my car basically feels like it stumbles or isn't getting all the power it should and then if i just wait for a while without flooring it then it will kick to normal after about 10 seconds or more. if i floor it then it will accelerate but not like how it used to when i first got it.

any suggestions?

 

E

egnorant

Founding Member

Jul 16, 2002

160

0

16

Deep East Texas

Jan 29, 2006

#15

• Jan 29, 2006

• #15

Surprised that no one has mentioned the temp sending unit yet. This sometimes causes the computer to remain in a richer "warmup" mode even after it has warmed up.
I found this whe mine was stuck in "run" mode...it was hard to start and an fine after a bit.
Bruce