stalling need help

[mercurygm88]

Ok so about two weeks ago I went out at break at work and started the car and drove to get some breakfast when I got where I was going the car just stalled, it started right back up and stalled again then would not restart. I pushed it into a parking spot and walked back to work at the end of the day I went back sprayed some starting fluid in the intake and it started right up. All was fine till today I went to lunch at 11:30 and drove it about 2 miles sitting at the drive through window it stalled and will not start but will just crank and crank. I can hear the fuel pump running so I'm guessing its getting fuel. My grandfather is on his way to help me right now were gonna check for spark and check fuel pressure also gonna try the starting fluid again. Just wondered if anyone has had a similar problem could it possibly be the ignition switch or would it not even crank if it was?

[mrltd]

Could be fuel filter, bad gas. Lots of things.

[mercurygm88]

Ok just got it running again checked spard and there was none waited 30 secs tried again and it fired right up coil is new and so r plugs and wires. Should i try replacing the tfi module or assume maybe its still fuel related?

[miamibob]

You may wish to throw a can of SEAFOAM in the gas tank and/or run some in a vacuum intake (like at the brake booster line). If you do the "vacum thing", pour VERY LITTLE at a time and only up to about 1/2 can or so. Worth a shot as A LOT of white smoke will come out. You pour until it stalls and then let it sit for 30 mins or so. Start back up - blow it all out and take for a GOOD RIDE!! Bobby

[mercurygm88]

Ive actually run a couple in the tank the last about a month ago but im currently thinking its a spark issue.

[miamibob]

SEAFOAM or something else??? Check the Dist and Ignition Module that is on it. Cehck the easy stuff first and then move on to those two if there is no/little spark. If the IAC is REALLY bad it would do that too but usually it will start but just stall at a stop....

[mercurygm88]

Its a new motorcraft IAC i just find it very strange that it waited two weeks to do it will probably be fine for two more i just dont understand it having no spark for an hour and a half then all of a sudden it had spark

[mrltd]

that's usually the sign of a bad ignition. Works until it warms up, dies, works when cold.

When you replaced the tfi module, did you put a bunch of thermal compound on it? if not, it can overheat and burn that tfi up quick. It' could be the pip, but if the FP is running that usually means the pip/tfi are working. If you haven't put a fuel filter on it, I'd definitely do that.

It could be the ignition switch is bad....

[mercurygm88]

Fuel filter is about a month old i havent replaced the tfi yet was just thinking about it. Also if the ignition switch was the problem would it still crank, ive always been told that if your ignition switch is bad it wont crank and if it goes out while your driving the car wont stall but that could be wrong and for $15 i think ill just replace it to be on the safe side.

[MattsTownCarSS]

Fuel filter is about a month old i havent replaced the tfi yet was just thinking about it. Also if the ignition switch was the problem would it still crank, ive always been told that if your ignition switch is bad it wont crank and if it goes out while your driving the car wont stall but that could be wrong and for $15 i think ill just replace it to be on the safe side.


i've heard stories online about msd parts on ford products are very touchy and usually dont work all the time. check your dizzy cap and try swapping the msd coil for the oem ford one.

[slymer]

carbon buildup on my dizzy's terminals in the Mark were nutzoid covered in carbon (MSD 6A on this ride). The main problem was the PIP sensor in the dizzy though. my Mark had all kinds of weird idle issues. New dizzy with new PIP and it's all good.

[mercurygm88]

ok stopped at 3 parts stores today oreilly,napa,and autozone all 3 said to replace the tfi module. So I bought one and being that I dont have a timing light, and u have to at least turn the dizzy to replace it i have a mechanic whos friends with my grandpa whos gonna do it for me friday for free. So until then i guess ill just have to hope it doesnt happen again.

[mercurygm88]

i've heard stories online about msd parts on ford products are very touchy and usually dont work all the time. check your dizzy cap and try swapping the msd coil for the oem ford one.

ive had msd cap, rotor, and coil on there since august with no issues this is a new problem so for now im going with the tfi module. Also i no longer have the ford coil anymore. Well i have it i just dont know where its at and cant seem to find it.

[mercurygm88]

Ok replaced TFI module today,made sure to coat the backing plate with the thermal compound. Mine actually came with the good stuff and not dialectic grease. Car seems to run quite a bit smoother ever since i bought it its been a little rough sometimes and every now and then would buck once or twice at highway speeds. So im hoping I have solved my problem. The issue i have been having has been presenting itself on a timer though every ten day at lunch time from work so nine more days and I guess I'll see what happens.

[shorty]

The TFI module is a gray box fitted to the side of the ignition distributor. It is about one inch wide, and about four inches long.
What the TFI module does is send timing information to the ECA (your cars computer) and, in turn, alters the ignition timing to allow for different engine running conditions. The 'thick film' name comes from the toothpaste-like substance you spread on the mounting surface of the TFI module. This film is supposed to insulate the module from engine heat coming through the distributor.
This particular module will cause engine stalling and all kinds of driveability problems stemming from these modules. From hot stalling to cold, hard starts; no power to pinging; rough idle, high speed missing-you name it
:eek:

[slymer]

wrong... the goop is supposed to allow heat to sink AWAY from the module and into the distributor. The module will get hotter than the engine ever will if not mounted to something that will sink heat away from it.

"Thick film refers to the type of chip on which the module's circuit is printed." source (last paragraph on the page) (http://books.google.com/books?id=14yiO4tp2jwC&lpg=PA403&ots=irBz652Pxb&dq=ford%20%22thick%20film%22%20how%20it%20got%20it 's%20name&pg=PA403#v=onepage&q&f=false)