Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Electrical Tech => Topic started by: vinnietbird on August 28, 2007, 05:19:47 PM

Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 28, 2007, 05:19:47 PM
I did the mas air conversion on my spare harness.Took my time,double checked everyhting,soldered the wires,heat shrink on top of that.I installed the harness today (along with the mass air meter of course),installed everything down to the last screw,turned the key,and the engine turned,but wouldn't start.I tried again,same thing.Soooo,I re-installed everything back the way it was and removed the converted harness.I need the car.Any ideas what to look for,or what may be keeping the car from starting?This sucks.I need to get the Mass Air going before the E303 cam swap.

I didn't hook up the fuel pump wire.I had read it wasn't necessary.I did swap two wites,installed two wires,and spliced in the hot and ground.This sucks.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: dominator on August 28, 2007, 06:50:16 PM
Follow the writeup's on the net to the tee and don't skip any wires.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: Kitz Kat on August 28, 2007, 07:38:45 PM
Bubba,You quit to soon! Send ya pm.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 28, 2007, 08:54:41 PM
i didn't quit,I had to back to stock to use the car.I only skipped the fuel pump wire,which,I was told was no big deal.I will try this again soon.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: Carpimp1987 on August 29, 2007, 03:19:02 AM
I'm glad i paid someone to do that and they got it right the 1st time.

Better luck 2nd time around on the install.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: Kitz Kat on August 29, 2007, 05:22:46 AM
Did it try to start at all?Maybe you got a bum computer?
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 29, 2007, 08:00:09 AM
It was turning,but not starting.How do I check the computer?Is there a way?Looking back,I honostly can't remember if the fual pump primed or not when I turned the key.I was so hot and cranky,I had my fill by that point.I hope the computer is good.Those are expensive (The A9P).
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: CougarSE on August 29, 2007, 08:35:11 AM
Did you ever figure out if you had an 88 or 87 harness Vinnie?
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 29, 2007, 11:40:05 AM
The harness I swapped in looked just like the one I'm back to using now (the '88 harness).Same everything,plugs and all.I wonder if the wire to the fuel pump relay needed to be hooked up.I was told it didn't matter,but maybe it does.I'll try again when i have the time.I just don't know if I want to modify my factory harness.If something goes wrong,like yesterday,I'm without a car.I need to make sure that it's going to work right.I use this car everyday.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: V8Demon on August 29, 2007, 04:40:10 PM
The wire is a moot point.  It will give you a code, but will work without issue.  I still have yet to hook up that wire on mine 18 months later.  Troll the Stang boards, maybe someone who has done a carb conversion has a harness in their shed.....
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 29, 2007, 04:55:48 PM
I may take the converted harness apart and triple check everything.Man,this has bothered me all day.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: Kitz Kat on August 30, 2007, 03:59:46 AM
Even if the maf is bad or not hooked right it should attemp to start.If and when you hook it back up try taking codes on the computer just to see if you can communicate with it.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 30, 2007, 05:56:14 AM
I'll try.I'm looking for a replacement harness to build another one with the conversion kit I bought.I don't want to risk mesing up the one good harness I have.I told you this was worrying me,now you see why.If the car wasn't needed,then no big deal.I use it everyday.I am hoping to either find another 88 Thunderbird/Cougar harness,or,an '89 Mustang GT harness.I'm actively lookig for either one right now.I hate doing this kind of stuff.Engine work,suspension,bodywork,interior work,all of that is great.Wiring like this,never works right the first time.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: Kitz Kat on August 30, 2007, 07:32:18 AM
Did you switch the two thermactor wires? I don't know if it would stop it from starting if you didn't.
If your using the 88 harness it would need to be switched.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 30, 2007, 08:19:32 AM
None of the changes necessary for mass air, will keep it from running... Unless something is wired incorrectly...

You can swap to the Mass Air EEC with the stock harness, and it will run if the computer is good... No not like it should, but it WILL run...
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: 5.0willgo on August 30, 2007, 09:18:02 AM
Vinnie, try another computer. I bought a bunch of stuff from some local Mustang guy a few years back. He gave me a Mass Air comp since I told him I was doing the conversion. I wired everything, double checked everything and guess what... the car wouldn't start. I then put it back to stock, put my old SD comp back in and I was going fine.

I met up with the guy again and told him it didn't work. He gave me a new comp and the car fired right up.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: 32VFoxBird on August 30, 2007, 09:39:01 AM
man, i had that shiznit licked in about 30 min. i used a MAF pigtail from a taurus, A9L, and a fox mustang MAF. it was real easy. it sucks that after ALL the threads YOU have made, you didnt get it working. are you doing any other research outside of this site? that's what i had to do. i wish i could remember where i found the info.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 30, 2007, 10:58:50 AM
I'm looking for info anywhere and everywhere.Perhaps the computer is toast.How would one get it checked?I'll look around for another one if the price is right.I have run the funds down since I've been acquiring a lot of parts.

I did swap the two wires,then added the two from the mass air plug,then spliced in the hot and ground.

More as progress (or lack of progress) occurs.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: Carpimp1987 on August 31, 2007, 02:49:53 AM
Whatever you need 2 buy to do it right spend the money or just relax and take the time to check every last wire before you buy anything else.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 31, 2007, 05:45:36 AM
I'm taking my time.I never get in a hury.That's why I boght a replacement computer and probably a harness that may not work..On the good side of the extra parts bought and money spent,If the computer is bad,Good.I know the problem,all is well,and I can sell the Stang Mass Air harness.If the computer is good,and it was the harness,good.I can re-sale the A9P computer easy to get my money back.It'll eventually work out.It'll bother me til it does,but it will work.I will continue to post until I get it solved.Thanks guys for the love and support.........or,at least for trying to help.LOL.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 31, 2007, 05:46:13 AM
Oh,by the way,Hey Pimp,why don't you drive up here and do my conversion for me.?
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: Kitz Kat on August 31, 2007, 05:46:08 PM
So does anybody know the difference between 87-88 harness?
I didn't think there was one.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: CougarSE on August 31, 2007, 06:11:45 PM
Yes there is a difference..  and yes I do know them... and yes I have posted that information three different places...

The connectors by the booster to interface with the dash harness are different, there are no VSS signal wires in the 87 engine harness.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: blu84302 on September 01, 2007, 12:52:20 AM
go claude!  W00t.
Title: Mass Air installation failure...
Post by: Carpimp1987 on September 01, 2007, 04:37:57 AM
I can send you to my old mechanic that did it i had a huge ticket of mostly labor and a few parts for the engine and rearend and mass air conversion BBK throttle body spacer new brakes lines and all kinds of  all at once so i am not sure what it would cost ya.