New guy with a TFI issue

[Brake]

First off, My name is Ryan and I have a '94 GT Drop top, and an '06 Silverado. I am 20 years old and in school to be a fireman.

On to my issue, My car is eating TFI modules like they are going out of style. Is there something thats taking them out? My buddy thinks we should just replace the distributer and be done with it. Anything that you guys can help with it would be nice. I just got the car 2 days ago

 

[fordtech28]

Welcome to the mustang gang

check the wiring around the TFi module you might have a wire shorting out somewhere the PIP sensor in the distributor works with the TFI and if has an issue it might be burning your TFi sensor but that would be rare

 

[Brake]

Thanks! this is my 3rd mustang. I had an '87 4 banger and an '85 GT T-top.

RIght now I have a TFI from an older style (where its on the distributer) taped to the side of that cooling block. I just did it so I could limp the car some and it worked

 

[1TallMF]

Thanks! this is my 3rd mustang. I had an '87 4 banger and an '85 GT T-top.

RIght now I have a TFI from an older style (where its on the distributer) taped to the side of that cooling block. I just did it so I could limp the car some and it worked

Wow, I didn't even know they were compatible, with those 3 extra prongs and all...
But the issue could be as simple as using the wrong type of grease on the heat-sink side of the module or the wrong ammount of it. I forget what the stuff is called but I believe its aluminum oxide-based (good thermal conductivity). The module can over-heat and burn pretty quickly if heat is not dissipated efficiently enough.

 

[HISSIN50]

Which TFI are you using exactly? We have a push start CCD TFI, and the older foxes had grey push-start or black CCD TFI's (but not both). Running a non CCD TFI on a CCD car will create lots of issues - it should run like crap since the saturation is not being capped.
Not that this is your issue but it is something to consider.


Also, as Stephane said, that TFI needs to be correctly mounted. The TFI's critical temp is ~257*F and that heat sink is important. Too much heat sink grease = poor signal conveyance. Too little grease = TFI overheating.

Welcome and good luck.

 

[Brake]

Thanks for the welcomes guys. I had bought a new one when I picked up the car. Its a black one and it bolted in just fine. I used a decent amount of die-electric grerase when i put it in. the car ran fine drove fine and everything. I drove it to work and on my way home I was crusing along at about 40mph and it just died. cranked like it wasnt getting spark. Luckily I was a block away from a buddys house and his dad had a gray one from a fox body laying in the garage. At this point I just wanted to get the car home so I said fugg it we might as well try it. plugged it into the car and had him hold it on the block and it fired right up. So I used some duct tape and stuck it on there to get the car home. That was fine I suppose but now I just want to fix it properly.

before I bought it, the kid had it replaced. It ran and drove fine, he decided to sell it and some kid drove it and after about a half an hour decided to park it again and for some reason open the radiator cap. The car would not start so he again replaced the tfi. drove it for about a half hour and parked it and it wouldnt start again. Thats where I came in and pput my part on it the right way and drove it away no problem.