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Car Forum / Ford / Ford Cars / February 2007

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88 thunderbird tc

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Gregory - 15 Feb 2007 02:25 GMT
I've got an 88 Ford Thunderbird, 2.3L with turbo, 5 speed
transmission.
I LOVE this car, except for one tiny annoying problem that is growing
worse.  If I drive the car for over an hour in warm weather, the
engine
dies and refuses to restart for 15 to 30 minutes.  After restarting,
its
good for another 15 to 30 minutes of driving, and then we stall again.
This used to only happen when the outside temperature was in the 90's,
then last summer it started doing it in the 80's and high 70's.  This
past
week it happened and the temperature was only 64 degrees (I had been
driving (highway) for about an hour and a half).  The point where this
problem almost always occurs is when going from highway speeds to a
dead
stop.  This most recent time obeyed that pattern, I was coming down
the
exit ramp from the highway to a city street.

I've replaced the plugs, plug wires, ignition coil, and distributor
cap
and rotor and the ignition module on the distributor.  I do know that
there is spark present, even when the engine
won't start.  I have nothing to test the fuel pressure with.  I do
know
that when the engine has stalled and won't start and I first turn the
ignition "on", the fuel pump comes on for a few seconds like it always
does, and then cuts off when it reaches the correct pressure (I
assume).
Of course, just because it is coming on and I can hear it does not
mean
that it is actually pumping anything.  Is there a simple way to test
for
the presence or absence of fuel at the engine?
Sharon Cooke - 15 Feb 2007 04:22 GMT
> I've got an 88 Ford Thunderbird, 2.3L with turbo, 5 speed
> transmission.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> for
> the presence or absence of fuel at the engine?

TFI module at distributor is the usual problem, or just reac the engine
trouble codes for a clue.
MasterBlaster - 15 Feb 2007 10:48 GMT
> I've got an 88 Ford Thunderbird, 2.3L with turbo, 5 speed
> transmission.
> I LOVE this car, except for one tiny annoying problem that is growing
> worse.  If I drive the car for over an hour in warm weather, the
> engine dies and refuses to restart for 15 to 30 minutes.  After restarting,
> its good for another 15 to 30 minutes of driving, and then we stall again.

Usual symptoms of a failing TFI module.

> I've replaced...... the ignition module on the distributor.

With an OEM Ford module, or crappy Pep-boys clone?
Did you remember to use heat sink compound on the module?
Some folks (and later Ford models) remote-mount the module away from
the distributor heat on the radiator support, with a BIG aluminum heat sink,
like this... http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/jpg/small/0900823d8014d147.jpg

> I do know that there is spark present, even when the engine won't start.

But sparking at the right time?

> I have nothing to test the fuel pressure with.  I do know that when the
> engine has stalled and won't start and I first turn the ignition "on", the
> fuel pump comes on for a few seconds like it always does, and then cuts
> off when it reaches the correct pressure (I assume).

That's just the ECU "priming" the system. It doesn't know the pressure.

> Of course, just because it is coming on and I can hear it does not
> mean that it is actually pumping anything.  Is there a simple way to test
> for the presence or absence of fuel at the engine?

You could try blipping the pin in the test port on the chrome fuel rail.
Looks like a tire valve, should be behind the throttle body on the driver's side.
Of course, a pressure gauge works better, and spraying gasoline on a hot engine
is not particulary safe.

I'm mostly a 5.0 guy, but our TC crowd would probably have more answers,
or maybe just more questions. Come by for a visit (and bring some cookies)...
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/
d.laponte - 18 Feb 2007 18:38 GMT
> Gregorywrote
I've got an 88 Ford Thunderbird, 2.3L with turbo, 5 spee
> transmission
> I LOVE this car, except for one tiny annoying problem that i
growin
> worse.  If I drive the car for over an hour in warm weather, th
> engin
> dies and refuses to restart for 15 to 30 minutes.  Afte
restarting
> it
> good for another 15 to 30 minutes of driving, and then we stal
again
> This used to only happen when the outside temperature was in th
90's
> then last summer it started doing it in the 80's and high 70's.  Thi
> pas
> week it happened and the temperature was only 64 degrees (I ha
bee
> driving (highway) for about an hour and a half).  The point wher
thi
> problem almost always occurs is when going from highway speeds to
> dea
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> ca
> and rotor and the ignition module on the distributor.  I do kno
tha
> there is spark present, even when the engin
> won't start.  I have nothing to test the fuel pressure with.  I d
> kno
> that when the engine has stalled and won't start and I first tur
th
> ignition "on", the fuel pump comes on for a few second
like it alway
> does, and then cuts off when it reaches the correct pressure (
> assume)
> Of course, just because it is coming on and I can hear it does no
> mea
> that it is actually pumping anything.  Is there a simple way t
tes
> fo
> the presence or absence of fuel at the engine

turbo t/birds as a rule did'nt have problems with the tfi module. the
did have problems with the integrated control module on the righ
shock tower. this module contains the eec, fuel pump, cooling fan
and ac relays
 
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