I'm stumped, 5.0L died. HELP!

[faraquet]

I have a 1966 Fastback Mustang with a 89 5.0L EFI setup, which has run great for about 3 years. After spending several months rebuilding the front and rear suspension and putting new wheels and tires I spent about 3 days driving the living crap out of it and absolutely loving it.

On my way home from work last friday, day 3 of the all out test drive, I was rounding the corner onto the street next to mine, and she just died. Flat out dead. When I realized the was no power, I think i heard a clicking noise, but I can't be sure.

I tried to start, and she will turn over, but won't fire. Here is what I have determined:

1. I have fuel pressure at the shrader valve on the fuel rail.

2. I have spark (pulled #1 plug, cranked, and saw spark)

3. Ignition module tested ok (@ autozone).

4. Tested coil based on resistance values given in Haynes Manual, and checked out ok.

5. Read codes. The were pretty standard (i don't run the emissions equip and get those codes). There was one code that said something about "lean limit". That one has me buffalo'd.

6. I was thinking timing chain, but i pulled the cap and watched the rotor turn.

Is it possible that:
1. The timing chain slipped? Even if possible, wouldn't it at least try to run rough?

2. The computer could be bad, eventhough it's giving me codes?

HELP!

Brian

 

[t-top 87]

Well you have fuel and fire and all components tesed OK. My guess would be a timing issue. Does she try to start at all, sputter or something?

 

[ALMOST STOCK]

Have you changed your fuel filter lately?

 

[HISSIN50]

is the pump priming? for some, taking a 3G turn can trip the inertia switch in the trunk. you might have had good static pressure from before. but if the pressure is bled off, does it rebuild (suggesting that the FP is priming and flowing)?

good luck.

 

[faraquet]

No, it doesn't try to fire at all.

The filter is about 3 years old, but only has about 5000 miles on it.

Brian

 

[tomst9]

i had a similar prob., but mine wouldn't let run the codes or anything. It turned out to be my computer

 

[White03Mach]

Unplug the spout and try to start it. If so, it is the PCM (unplugging spout takes the PCM out of the loop. Check the distributor that it did not slip... if the ignition timing is way off it will not start. You could try pulling the distributor and re-timing the motor. Also put a test light in the 2 wires going to the coil. Both should have power when turning over, but the rear-most one should pulse. If there is no pulse, you have a bad stator in the distributor. Try these and let us know how it goes.

 

[faraquet]

Stator

I put my test light on the coil, and the rear wire didn't really pulse. It dimmed a little, but not a pulse. What does the stator do? Could it be bad and I still get fire from the plugs?

 

[jrichker]

Cranks OK, but No Start Checklist for Fuel Injected Mustangs

1.) Remove push on connector from starter solenoid and turn ignition switch on. Place car in neutral or Park. Remove coil wire from distributor & and hold 3/8” away from engine block. Jumper the screw to the big bolt on the starter solenoid that has the battery wire connected to it. You should get a nice fat blue spark.
Most of the items are electrical in nature, so a test light, or even better, a voltmeter, is helpful to be sure they have power to them.
No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Coil
B.) TFI module
C.) PIP sensor in distributor
D.) ECC relay next to computer - look for 12 volts at the fuel injector red wires
E.) Fuse links in wiring harness - look for 12 volts at the fuel injector red wires
F.) Ignition switch - look for 12 volts at the ignition coil red/lt green wire.
G.) Computer

2.) Spark at coil wire, pull #1 plug wire off at the spark plug and check to see spark. No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Moisture inside distributor – remove cap, dry off & spray with WD40
B.) Distributor cap
C.) Rotor
D.) Spark Plug wires
E.) Coil weak or intermittent - you should see 3/8" fat blue spark with a good coil

3.) Spark at spark plug, but no start.
Next, get a can of starting fluid (ether) from your local auto parts store: costs a $1.30 or so. Then pull the air duct off at the throttle body elbow, open the throttle, and spray the ether in it. Reconnect the air duct and try to start the car. Do not try to start the car without reconnecting the air duct.
Two reasons:
1.) If it backfires, the chance for a serious fire is increased.
2.) On Mass Air cars, the computer needs to measure the MAF flow once the engine starts.
If it starts then, you have a fuel management issue. Continue the checklist with emphasis of fuel related items that follow. If it doesn’t, then it is a computer or timing issue: see Step 4.

Clue – listen for the fuel pump to prime when you first turn the ignition switch on. It should run for 5-20 seconds and shut off. To trick the fuel pump into running, find the ECC test connector and jump the connector in the lower RH corner to ground. See http://www.mustangworks.com/articles/electronics/eec-iv_codes.html for a description of the test connector. If the relay & inertia switch are OK, you will have power to the pump. Check fuel pressure – remove the cap from the schrader valve behind the alternator and depress the core. Fuel should squirt out, catch it in a rag. Beware of fire hazard when you do this. In pinch you can use a tire pressure gauge to measure the fuel pressure. It may not be completely accurate, but you will have some clue as to how much pressure you have.

No fuel pressure, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Tripped inertia switch – Coupe & hatch cars hide it under the plastic trim covering the driver's side taillight. Use the voltmeter or test light to make sure you have power to both sides of the switch
B.) Fuel pump power relay – located under the driver’s seat in most stangs built before 92. On 92 and later model cars it is located below the Mass Air Flow meter. Look for 12 volts at the Pink/Black wire on the fuel pump relay.
C.) Clogged fuel filter
D.) Failed fuel pump
E.) Blown fuse link in wiring harness. Look for 12 volts at the Orange/Lt Blue wire on the fuel pump relay
F.) Fuel pressure regulator failed. Remove vacuum line from regulator and inspect for fuel escaping while pump is running.

Fuel pressure OK, the injectors are not firing.

A.) A Noid light available from Autozone, is one way to test the injector wiring.
B.) I like to use an old injector with compressed air applied to the injector where the fuel rail would normally connect. I hook the whole thing up, apply compressed air to the injector and stick it in a paper cup of soapy water. When the engine cranks with the ignition switch on, if the injector fires, it makes bubbles. Cheap if you have the stuff laying around, and works good too.

a.) Pull an injector wire connector off and look for 12 volts on the red wire when the ignition switch is on.
b.) No power, then look for problems with the 10 pin connecter (salt & pepper shakers at the rear of the upper manifold).
c.) No power and the 10 pin connections are good: look for broken wiring between the orange/black wire on the ECC relay and the red wire for the 10 pin connectors.


4.) Spark & fuel pressure OK.

A.) Failed IAB (no airflow to start engine). Press the throttle ¼ way down and try to start the car.
B.) Failed computer (not very likely)
C.) Engine ignition or cam timing off: only likely if the engine has been worked on recently).
D.) Firing order off: HO & 351 use a different firing order from the non HO engines.

 

[Ray III]

GREAT INFO

That sure beats trying to extract information from people who have done 0 diagnostics.

 

[faraquet]

Codes

Ok, I ran my codes.... get yer pencils out, this could take a while.

67
81
82
85
84


95