• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Engine Stalling and then no start? 86 5.0

  • Thread starter Thread starter nchapman_42
  • Start date Start date Sep 17, 2021
N

nchapman_42

New Member
Sep 17, 2021
4
0
1
Missouri
Sep 17, 2021
#1
  • Sep 17, 2021
  • #1
Hey Guys! I have a 1986 Mustang LX 5.0. I will drive the car around and it will drive just fine and then about 10 minutes into the drive the car will just shut off and won't start. It will crank but the RPM gauge stays stuck on 0 and it will just crank forever. It also does it when it is just idling in the driveway. It will turn back on after I let it sit for a couple of hours. I have brand new plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, ignition coil, all-new engine sensors, new ignition switch, and key cylinder. When I run the codes all I get is a charcoal canister code(its not hooked up currently) and a RPM out of range/too low. I've tried just about everything and am starting to get annoyed with it. Any suggestions or fixes? Thanks!
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
42,965
21,142
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 17, 2021
#2
  • Sep 17, 2021
  • #2
I have a dollar that says it's the TFI module attached to the distributor.

Who wants a piece of this bet?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,872
10,542
203
polk county florida
Sep 17, 2021
#3
  • Sep 17, 2021
  • #3
I can't find the 'pick me' emogi
I agree with noobz and I'll add try to find a motorcraft or standard brand, I keep an extra around just for testing.
Come to think of it someone around here has a tfi tester write up.
 
Last edited: Sep 17, 2021
N

nchapman_42

New Member
Sep 17, 2021
4
0
1
Missouri
Sep 17, 2021
#4
  • Sep 17, 2021
  • #4
I’ll bet on myself. I didn’t even think about that… I’m new to foxbodies going to give that a shot and see what it does.
Noobz347 said:
I have a dollar that says it's the TFI module attached to the distributor.

Who wants a piece of this bet
Click to expand...
 
N

nchapman_42

New Member
Sep 17, 2021
4
0
1
Missouri
Sep 17, 2021
#5
  • Sep 17, 2021
  • #5
General karthief said:
I can't find the 'pick me' emogi
I agree with noobz and I'll add try to find a motorcraft or standard brand, I keep an extra around just for testing.
Come to think of it someone around here has a tfi tester write up.
Click to expand...
Would you recommend MSD?
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
42,965
21,142
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 17, 2021
#6
  • Sep 17, 2021
  • #6
nchapman_42 said:
Would you recommend MSD?
Click to expand...
Nope
 

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member
Sep 26, 2017
2,531
713
143
Roy, Utah
Sep 18, 2021
#7
  • Sep 18, 2021
  • #7
ncchapman42
TFI most common Zero rpm out of tach could be the stator
See post in other tech about running car with bad TFI
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,872
10,542
203
polk county florida
Sep 18, 2021
#8
  • Sep 18, 2021
  • #8
nchapman_42 said:
Would you recommend MSD?
Click to expand...
Nope twice.
 
Reactions: slow84lx

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member
Sep 26, 2017
2,531
713
143
Roy, Utah
Sep 18, 2021
#9
  • Sep 18, 2021
  • #9
Damn straight yes to the MSD
 
Reactions: Noobz347

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
42,965
21,142
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 18, 2021
#10
  • Sep 18, 2021
  • #10
manicmechanic007 said:
Damn straight yes to the MSD
Click to expand...
 
Reactions: manicmechanic007

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member
Sep 26, 2017
2,531
713
143
Roy, Utah
Sep 18, 2021
#11
  • Sep 18, 2021
  • #11
I run a duraspark on mine
It has always been reliable and hacks the mission
My friend has a 76 Cobra
I am running that dist
He is running a real expensive MSD
I used to joke with him that he mad more money in his ignition system than I had in my car
Used to plat tricks on people
Other friend took his rotor out of the MSD
Almost blew the sob up
Its all fun and games until somebodies ride blows up
 

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member
Sep 26, 2017
2,531
713
143
Roy, Utah
Sep 18, 2021
#12
  • Sep 18, 2021
  • #12
What are you running Noobz347?
Explain your dislike for MSD?
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
42,965
21,142
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 18, 2021
#13
  • Sep 18, 2021
  • #13
MSD is just another component failure waiting to happen.

When I lost my mind and overbuilt my engine combo (including boost), I went with a rather simple device that keeps my OEM coil saturated at a preset voltage. My only other non-stock ignition components are the Jacobs wires.

The OEM ignition systems in our cars are pretty damned good. The electrical system is our cars, not so much hence, the coil saturation.
 
Reactions: slow84lx

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,872
10,542
203
polk county florida
Sep 18, 2021
#14
  • Sep 18, 2021
  • #14
MSD 'cause 'race car'
Look, there are a bunch of threads here someplace where the MSD box did not play well with the ford computer, and frankly it's not needed.
 
Reactions: slow84lx

KRUISR

10 Year Member
Apr 16, 2015
1,804
903
143
Sep 26, 2021
#15
  • Sep 26, 2021
  • #15
nchapman_42 ... when the car stalls and won't start, do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key? If not, check fuel pump relay and/or connector in driver kick panel that fuel pump power runs through.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
1987 5.0 speed density Foxbody crank no start
  • Alan2204
  • May 23, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
226
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 30, 2026
Mcmahst
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
183
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
C
Electrical HELP! 1989 5.0 Stick, Voltage Bleed onto Ignition Trigger wire
  • ChickenDeluxe
  • May 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
187
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 24, 2026
ChickenDeluxe
C
B
Fuel 1990 mustang gt 5.0 no ground signal to fire injectors
  • brandyn200
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
246
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 6, 2025
Noobz347
8
Electrical Crank-no start ... no spark ... no injector pulse, was it something I did? (redux)
  • 85gtCOBRA
  • Oct 28, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
530
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 29, 2025
85gtCOBRA
8
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?