Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Electrical Woessss

December 01, 2006, 10:30:30 PM

I have a 1988 Turbo, 5sp, that has an intermittent idling problem. First it wouldn't start after being driven for a while, (change TFI & PIP-Ford genuine part) then one day the check engine light came on and the car idle roughly, then die. I could not restart it. Then I troubleshot it possible to the IRCM module and purchase a new one from Ford. That didn't fix the problem, so in defeat, I took my 'bird to Motion Dynamic, (they deal with SVO's and Mustangs)and bottom line is they told me they couldn't get codes and when they moved certain harnesses, the engine light would go out then on. So their advice (after $65 )check all my grounds. Very tedious, but they believe I have an electrical problem.

So any prelimenary advice before I dive into this? Doe you guys have any wiring diagrams on our 'birds grounds? The major symptom was when I turned the ignition key, one fan would turn on immediately, and engine light would flash on and off...then after awhile of restarting, it won't start anymore.

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Electrical Woessss

Reply #1 – December 02, 2006, 11:13:06 AM

If they couldn't get any codes out of it that sounds like your orange ground wire isn't hooked to the side of the turbo.  The orange wire is the ground for the O2 senesor. Also doulbe check every wire they have a bad habit of flaking off the insulastion. Also the conections at the senesors also break or make py conections. Best word of advice is to go slow and take your time.

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Electrical Woessss

Reply #2 – December 02, 2006, 04:34:07 PM

I have 15 pages of schematics illustrating grounds. I would love to post them all up for you but to help out more you have to provide some info.

Wait until the problem comes up again and tell us the following symtoms......

do you have
spark when cranking at the coil output and spark plug wire?
do all injectors pulse by using a test light on the hot wire of each one while cranking?
while the problem is present, do you hear the fuel pump kick in and cut off when the key is truned forward only?
when you cut the key off,, do you hear the relay behind the pass strut tower cut off?

this sounds like your pickup module inside the dist is going bad.  they give no warning and act intermittant as well but you said you changed that already.  Im not a 4cyl guru,,never owned one so there may be certain things im not good at pointing out on these unique engines.

I sent eric a CD of my 87 evtm,, wonder if he will ever link it to this site,,,,,:grinno:

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Electrical Woessss

Reply #3 – December 03, 2006, 06:10:54 AM

Thanks...after I wake up today, I will start my troubleshooting.

Do you have spark when cranking at the coil output and spark plug wire? HAVEN'T CK'D YET.
do all injectors pulse by using a test light on the hot wire of each one while cranking? HAVEN'T CK'D YET
while the problem is present, do you hear the fuel pump kick in and cut off when the key is truned forward only? YES, I HEAR IT PRIME WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED FWD THEN OFF
when you cut the key off,, do you hear the relay behind the pass strut tower cut off. HAVEN'T TRIED THAT YET

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