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Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: 84cougarV8 on June 27, 2008, 02:28:50 PM

Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on June 27, 2008, 02:28:50 PM
my power is cutting severely, so bad that the motor will die and will not turn back on for 30 seconds!, when you are turning into traffic thats a loooong time!!! anyone else have this prob??
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on June 27, 2008, 02:53:42 PM
Are you saying the entire car shuts down, electronics and all, or just the motor stall?

More info?
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on June 27, 2008, 04:49:44 PM
at the start it just stalled and now gradually it's getting more severe and not just in the turns now! not the electrical just motor, i've heard it could be the computer, but not sure?? HELP!!! please
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Blackout on June 27, 2008, 07:03:15 PM
You are running out of gas.



LOL Just Kidding.  It could be a flaky ......... wait....... did the 84's have the fuel cutoff?
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on June 27, 2008, 07:05:23 PM
Not electrical huh???

Chuck, think maybe he has a diesel with a mechanical injection pump???
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on June 27, 2008, 08:06:39 PM
You've "heard" it could be the computer?

Who told you that?

We don't have enough info to help you, period.  We're not mind readers, you have to give us more info. 

Does it restart right away when it stalls?  What exactly happens when it's "cutting out"?
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on June 28, 2008, 05:02:54 PM
i hear a chattering noise and then it will cut... i have taken the passenger's side interior apart to hear where it is coming from more clearly, a redneck mechanic told me it could be the computer because that's where the chattering is comming from, it will take a few seconds to restart it but yes it will restart, i just filled the tank so its not gas! haha
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on June 28, 2008, 05:11:24 PM
The computer isn't going to make ANY noise... Possibly the EEC power relay or the related wiring has a problem causing it to chatter...
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on June 28, 2008, 05:30:35 PM
would that be causing the car to cut out though?
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on June 28, 2008, 05:31:53 PM
If you are hearing "chattering" it's the relay as mentioned. 

What the issue sounds like the EEC relay is getting intermittent power...which points to a possible ignition switch issue (the steering column). They are a known fail point on '80's Fords.  If the power is intermittent to the EEC relay, it will click.  It also means the ECU is getting  intermittent power...thus your stalling.

Oh, and stop listening to redneck mechanics....
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on June 28, 2008, 05:34:33 PM
lol so how to stop from getting the other power??? get a new relay?
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on June 28, 2008, 08:25:46 PM
Quote from: 84cougarV8;225065
lol so how to stop from getting the other power??? get a new relay?

:shakehead :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead

Read Chuck's post again(and again if necessary)... May not be the problem, but is no doubt the first possibility which should be  eliminated...
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on June 30, 2008, 03:15:57 PM
well it wasnt the relay.... anything else possible?
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on June 30, 2008, 03:18:50 PM
You didn't read my post...otherwise your last post would have read,

"well it wasnt the ignition switch..."
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on June 30, 2008, 03:24:15 PM
is that a for sure thing though?? mu budget is sooooooo busted right now! or maybe the %?
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on June 30, 2008, 03:48:15 PM
Well I can't say 100% for certain since you have offered up nil for any kind of diagnostics that you have done.

The EEC relay is clicking because it is getting intermittent power for one reason or another.  Either the ignition switch in the steering column (which are inexpensive) is going bad (which is very common), or there is something wrong with the main power wiring to the EEC. 
Since the relay is clicking, it is most likely the switched side of the relay that is intermittent (ie the side that energizes the relay and "clicks" the arm over to complete the power circuit from the battery.  This power is controlled through the ignition switch circuits.

The EEC relay also engergizes the FP relay (ie when the EEC getting power, the FP's are allowed to get power).

Again, the most likley place to start is the ignition switch.  After that it's a wiring issue.
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on June 30, 2008, 07:18:58 PM
alrighty goin to get it now! 9.99!!!!! woot woot!
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Haystack on June 30, 2008, 08:40:45 PM
let us know.
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on June 30, 2008, 10:24:43 PM
well i just got it put on! i've gone 3 blocks and haven't had any probs yet! but we will see tomarow! thanks in advance guys very helpful!
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on June 30, 2008, 11:16:59 PM
If the problem persists, you'll need to actually get in and do some wire checking/tracing to see what's going on.

Hopefully this cleared up the problem though.
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on July 01, 2008, 11:25:18 AM
yup hopefully! thank you!
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Xtremitie on July 01, 2008, 11:34:27 PM
I would describe chattering as an engine 'dieseling' while its stalling or shutting down, you guys know what i mean?
I would describe a relay as 'Clicking' kinda like my keyboard and mouse.
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on July 02, 2008, 07:05:57 AM
Quote from: Xtremitie;225526
I would describe chattering as an engine 'dieseling' while its stalling or shutting down, you guys know what i mean?
I would describe a relay as 'Clicking' kinda like my keyboard and mouse.


OK, well that's nice to know if we need to describe it to you.


He did describe where the noise was coming from at least and the little bit of investigation that was done to find it (pulling the pass kick panel) did clue the rest of us in to what the noise was... ;)
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on July 03, 2008, 10:05:06 AM
it's doing it again!
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on July 03, 2008, 10:27:38 AM
Well then it's time to start to do some actual work and get in and diagnose.

You'll need to trace your power wiring for the EEC relay and check it's integrity.  Check all of your power connections, fusible links, etc at the starter solenoid on the fender.

There is obviously no "magical" solution to your problem that someone is going to be able to point you towards.  Time to get in and figure it out yourself.
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on July 03, 2008, 10:51:05 AM
yippie! lol here we go! thanks for the advice though..... but if my batter has the ability to move around would that effect this any?, my battery box/holder broke
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on July 03, 2008, 11:30:35 AM
Quote from: 84cougarV8;225715
.... but if my batter has the ability to move around would that effect this any?, my battery box/holder broke



Possible...esp if the terimals are loose.  You said only the engine was cutting out and not the electricals, so that lessens that as a possibility.

Check it all.
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: dw85745 on July 05, 2008, 12:35:37 PM
I had a similar problem (See Post start Hestiation) so I got serious this weekend on my 1984.

Divided my troubleshooting into electrical a fuel.
Figured I'd start from scratch with electricl.
Pulled all the grounds and cleaned them with electrical contact cleaner. 
When I went to loosen the main engine ground nut, I found it was loose as well as the stud that is part of the engine mounts.
Cleaned an re-torqued.

Pulled all sensor connectors, and cleaned all contacts with electrical contract cleaner.  The EGR sensor seemed especially dirty.
Watch out when pulling the contact leads for the sensors under the Windshield Washer bottle.  A bitch to get off.  Having a helper to hold the assembly while you pull helps.

Took me about 4 hours to check and clean all grounds and sensor connectors.

Ran last evening, and ran great no hesitation or stalling.  Jury's still out on whethe problem solved but my guess is the loss main engine ground most probably was my hesitation/stall problem.
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: 84cougarV8 on July 08, 2008, 12:18:02 PM
any way it could be the coil?? or wires? it got way wet the otherday and has done it more than ever!
Title: cuttin in turns
Post by: Chuck W on July 08, 2008, 01:07:59 PM
I'm done guessing for you.

Did you actually look at the wires/connections? 

Have you done a "wiggle" test while the car is running and see if you have any loose connections?