Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: WildBill82 on August 27, 2008, 12:53:56 PM

Title: hard time idleing and won't accelerate with out pumpin on the petal
Post by: WildBill82 on August 27, 2008, 12:53:56 PM
This is my first post on this forum and this is my first ford ever...
I am a GM guy every car I ever owned was a GM. Infact My current project car is a 69 RS Camaro.. :burnout:  Well I got a DUI and ending up getting rid of my Seirra and my Grand Prix cuz i lost my license for a long long time.. :punchballs: Some how or another the other day I was given a 1988 T-Bird with a 3.8l V6 To fix up as a daily driver so i wouldn't have to drive my camaro when i get my license back. well who would have thought that it would have to be broken when i got it. :mad:

like i said its a 3.8l and when i start it the idle is very unstable and when i give it gas it falls on its face and boggs down. If i would tap and pump on the petal the car would gain RPM. I've seen this before and it ended up being a bad fuel pump on my grand prix. The T-birds check engine light isn't on when the car is running. I checked the air filter, the map sensor, the egr is decent, the vac lines are in good shape, and the Iac is working. the car was given a tune up very recently. more than likely my next move is to replace the fuel pump, but i just though i would search the forum and then ask you guys if you have any thoughts of the problem. before i do this. If you are unclear with whats the car is doing. i could always make a video and put it on youtube to show ya..

thanks for you help

Bill,
Title: hard time idleing and won't accelerate with out pumpin on the petal
Post by: 88BlueBird on August 27, 2008, 08:46:51 PM
Pull the codes from the computer..they don't always turn the check engine light ON.
Title: hard time idleing and won't accelerate with out pumpin on the petal
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 27, 2008, 08:49:58 PM
It could be the F/P, clogged injectors or maybe the MAP sensor, TPS etc... Testing fuel pressure would verify or rule out the pump... I'd recomend scanning it for codes first...
Title: hard time idleing and won't accelerate with out pumpin on the petal
Post by: jcassity on August 28, 2008, 01:39:57 AM
welcome to the board.

Click on my diy link below and it will lead you to a thread with tons of info on the details of your car.
Pulling codes requires a very expensive code reader,,,,,,,ie-paper clip.
I employ a 12v buzzer instead of the recommended test light option so i can hear the codes instead of looking and writting codes.  The buzzer came from radio shack, i think it was about a dollar.

click on the EVTM sticky in electrical tech and there is also a full blown set of wiring diagrams.