gregory

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

TFI module at distributor is the usual problem, or just reac the engine
trouble codes for a clue.

masterblaster

Usual symptoms of a failing TFI module.


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/j...3d8014d147.jpg


But sparking at the right time?

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


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/

maxcurly

tes

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