Please help....stalling

[DmnStr8]

Some info on the car. I just bought it about 2 weeks ago so I'm not sure on everything that has been done to it. Its an 87LX notchback that was converted to a 5.0 from a 92 donor car. The engine is pretty much stock. It has an off road H pipe w/ flowmasters for an exhaust. The alternator is new to the car and has about 33k on it. The car sat for about a year in storage. The previous owner told me he put new injectors in it because a couple gummed up from old fuel.

Ok now on to the problem. A couple of days ago (Thursday) the car stalled while I was driving it. I had just filled the tank (w/ 89) and got about a mile from the pump when the engine started bucking and the tach started jumping around. It felt kind of like when someone new to a standard is just learning to launch in 1st. As I pulled off the road the car backfired and stalled. When I tried to restart it the engine would turn over but then immediately die. After several attempts to start the car normally I was able to get her started by feeding it gas as soon as it started. The car ran fine after that. I didn't take the car out yesterday.

Today I took the car to the beach, which is about 10 miles from home. The car started fine and made it all the way there w/o an issue. But when I went to leave the car wouldn't start. It would turn over but die right away. Well I was able to get it started by doing the same thing. Feeding it gas as soon as it started, but I only made it about 100 yards before it backfired and stalled again. Well after some cursing and whining I was able to get the car started again and I made it home. The car ran fine after it was started.

Any clues as to what is causing this? I was wondering if it could be a clog in the fuel lines, or a deposit that has worked loose. I did put fuel injector cleaner in the last tank. Any other things I should check or have checked? Should I put more cleaner in it to try and push out more deposits?

Any and all ideas are welcome.

 

[68torino]

The first thing I would start with is a new fuel filter and some Seafoam in the tank to clean it out. You can also pull the codes to see what the comp says. Reply back as you go so we can help you out some more.

 

[srothfuss]

When the car dies, can you smell gas from the engine? Have you check to see that you are getting spark?

I want to say that the TFI is going bad, but it could be your fuel pump also (that is why I am asking about your fuel.)

 

[HISSIN50]

When the car dies, can you smell gas from the engine? Have you check to see that you are getting spark?

I want to say that the TFI is going bad, but it could be your fuel pump also (that is why I am asking about your fuel.)

Agreed. Or the PIP is starting to burp. checking spark, FP (and injector pulsing) if you can (when it wont start) will get you rolling in the right direction.

Good luck.

 

[DmnStr8]

I didn't smell any gas when it stalled. I'm a serious car tech novice (I can change oil, plugs, and beginner things like that). I kinda bought this car as a toy but planned on learning tech stuff as I went. To put it another way, I'm not stupid just ignorant.

Now for the dumb questions. How should I go about checking for spark, fuel pressure, and injector pulsing? This problem seems to be rather intermittent so most likely I will be on the side of a road or in a parking lot when it happens again. Whats the PIP? Sorry still to new to know all the acronyms I guess.

I plan on getting it to my mechanic soon anyway to have some simple stuff done anyway so I guess it would be nice to have the problem narrowed down by then.

I will be running the code tomorrow so I will see if that pulls up anything. Anything else I should check?

Thanks guys. All help is greatly appreciated.

 

[DmnStr8]

Is checking for spark as simple as disconnecting a wire from a plug and holding it up to a ground, cranking the engine and looking for a spark?

 

[HISSIN50]

Is checking for spark as simple as disconnecting a wire from a plug and holding it up to a ground, cranking the engine and looking for a spark?

You need to insert something in the plug wire so you can watch the spark jump. I use an old plug. Put the old plug in the plug wire and then set the threads of the plug firmly against the upper intake.

to test injector pulsing, you need a noid light. 3-4 bucks at parts stores. Hold off on that IMHO.

If you find that you dont have spark, you can have the TFI bench tested (ignition module on the side of your distributor) or deduce symptoms based on injector firing using the noid light.

And PIP = Profile Ignition Pick up = stator = pick up. It is inside the dizzy bowl.

Once you can check for missing spark, that should help. Even before that I would check codes. Even though the CEL is not illuminated, codes can be stored. Often intermittant issues dont toss a constant CEL.

 

[DmnStr8]

I plan on checking for codes tomorrow when I can get access to an analog multimeter (only have a digital one at the house). I picked up a a Haynes manual. Any recommendations on other books/websites for me to start browsing through? Just so I can increase my general knowledge of these cars.

Thanks a whole lot.

 

[sunil6784]

Before you do all that, i would just throw in a new fuel filter. It takes 5 minutes and 16 dollars. If the guy replaced the injectors cuz of old fuel, THat old fuel was gummin up the filter too. I would start with that, not only because it might be your problem, but because its a good maintainance item anyways.

Good Luck.

 

[DmnStr8]

OK I checked for spark and had it on all 8 wires. I also ran the codes and got these: 31, 63, 66, 87, and 96. I'm alittle confused because I had read that 92 EEC give three digit codes. But who knows I didn't do the 5.0 conversion so I dunno where he got all the parts (I have a 25th year dash, lol) When I did the code check I could here the fuel pump prime. Right now the car is at my girlfriend's parents house. It doesn't want to start back up and I have permission to park it there until I get her going or need to have it towed off. Any suggestions on what to do next?

 

[HISSIN50]

fox III's (through 93) have 2 digit codes. 94+ has 3 digit codes.

Did you post a thread about the codes alone? if not, someone had almost exactly the same codes pop up - search for that thread to see replies (it was within the last two days).

You have EGR sensor, TPS, fuel pump electronics, etc codes popping up. Consult an online table of definitions and search each code for Jrichker's troubleshooting of each one (that is the best resource I know of period). One code is for MAF too IIRC. one can try unplugging the MAF connector and see if it starts. Others will have great advice (I am down about 50 gallons of liquid right now and more braindead than normal).

Good luck.

 

[DmnStr8]

I did post a thread with just the codes but the post got very little views and no responses. I figured it just sank to the bottom too fast so I posted again.

Well I went back to the car today with Jrichker's Cranks OK but doesn't start check list but now the car has decided to start and run fine. I have left it where it is for fear that it might quit on the road. I figure problems rarely solve themselves. Gonna keep cracking at it. You guys have been a ton of help.

One quick question. Is there a way to clear the codes so I can see if I have addressed the problems. I reset the TPS with instructions I found on the web and would like to see if I got it right. Thanks a ton.

Edit

D'Oh I just need to disconnect the battery. Also I think the MAF code is from a time that I forgot to re hook the MAF harness after I had removed it to clean the filaments. I will clear the codes and check it again.

 

[HISSIN50]

You got it. I write down the old ones and then know for next time what is new and what is old (and what was likely an artifact).

Good luck bud.