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Topic: Now, car wont Start....... (Read 9136 times) previous topic - next topic

Now, car wont Start.......

My car wont start. Definitively is an electrical problem. Any Help would be very appreciated. (For some info, see the topic in "Engine tech" called "Car Wont stay running".....
1985 Mercury Cougar V6
1989 F-200 V8
1996 Explorer V6
2001 F-150

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #1
What is it doing?  is the motor just turning over? not at all?  kinda starts and spudders?

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #2
Well, first the car can start and run, but in and undetermined moment it shut down , cruising or idling. Parked it at run at the 3 o 4 tries. Now, the car simply wont start. The starter motor turns strong and the battery are good. There are fuel. The spark plugs are good. But the engine only turns, there arent the typical noises of the engine trying to run.....any ideas  ?

1985 Mercury Cougar V6
1989 F-200 V8
1996 Explorer V6
2001 F-150

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #3
if it just starts and turns and doesnt sound like its firing youre more then likely having an ignition problem. could be a whole number of reasons on that
87 T-bird two tone diarrhea color. 5.0 converted with AOD.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
 
94 Lincoln Towncar, Dark Metallic Green, 4.6L AOD
SOLD!!!!
 
99 Mercury Cougar. V6 MTX75 Trans. CURRENT PROJECT DAILY DRIVER.

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #4
Bad TFI ?
1985 Mercury Cougar V6
1989 F-200 V8
1996 Explorer V6
2001 F-150

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #5
could be a few things and guessing is the best anyone here can do,
U need air fuel and sprak to work.  Well sure u have air,  As for fuel u should be able to smell it.  U can check plugs and see if there fuel soked.  What u have left is a ignition problem.

Its ether be in the box coil or in the distributor i have seen pick up fail like this b4 in other cars. I know how to Trouble shoot a MSD box and dis  not sure on stock ones.

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #6
tfi - TFI - TFI

I had same prob this year....

When the TFI (Tick Film Ignition) is bad or intermitent defective, it  result in no voltage at the coil output.
This is known problem with ford vehicule....

"A normal problem" as a Ford technician said to me once.... (lmfao.... how a problem can be normal?) :giggle:

Or you can look at THIS on Coolcats.net

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #7
Only a little question. I was reading that the TFI is needed for control the spark output of the ignition system via the EEC, but since my car is carbed, this problem affect me ? i guess yes, because i have the Duraspak module and the distributor is electronic (no condenser). I only want this info to explain to the mechanic...

(duh... my car havent been in the Workshop since my engine was installed, all the fixes since then was did for me but this record will be out now...)
1985 Mercury Cougar V6
1989 F-200 V8
1996 Explorer V6
2001 F-150

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #8
The Dura Spark modules are famous for failing as well. Sometimes a few good whacks will start them working again(temporarly).

If you don't have any spark I'd just get one and try it. If it doesn't fix it, you can always keep it as a spare, cause you're likely to need it sooner or later.

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #9
Quote from: SirChirpAlot
could be a few things and guessing is the best anyone here can do,
U need air fuel and sprak to work.  Well sure u have air,  As for fuel u should be able to smell it.  U can check plugs and see if there fuel soked.  What u have left is a ignition problem.

Its ether be in the box coil or in the distributor i have seen pick up fail like this b4 in other cars. I know how to Trouble shoot a MSD box and dis  not sure on stock ones.


I like that thought but it was prooved wrong to me once when i had fuel, air and lets just say what appeared to be good spark. 
It turned out to be the stator / pick up coil assembly down in the dizzy.

id block the choke open and crank while checking for spark and fuel.  If you find your ign module,, swap that out as well as the DSII module. My first guess if you had no spark would be the ign module which you might find mounted on the strut tower on either the pass or driver side.

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #10
Mmm, i have discovered that i dont have any spark. My sister help me to start the car and i unplug a cable from the distributor and left it near of the spark plug. No luck....i unplug 4 cables (one at once) and no spark. May i need to replace the Duraspark box and the TFI or one of these only ?
1985 Mercury Cougar V6
1989 F-200 V8
1996 Explorer V6
2001 F-150

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #11
You have either a Duraspark ignition module or a Thick Film Ignition module(TFI) but not both.
If you have a TFI it is attached to the side of the distributor.

If you have no TFI and vacuum advance on your distributor, you have a Duraspark II.

If you have no TFI and no vacuum advance you have a Duraspark III.

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #12
I have both. The Tfi under the distributor and the Duraspark module at the drivers side near of the front shock mount. I don´t know if both are operative.....the engine was of and 89 T-bird....

  I discovered that i don´t energy from there.......before the (i don´t know how to say in english that ugly thing that seems like a transformer and has two little cables and another wire that goes to the distributor at the center of it ) i don´t have any energy. I could touch the distributor and nothing ( when a helper turned the engine on)......i have to change that thing ? ill send to you guys a diagram (is from the right).....



This is because the DS II is very hard to find here. Of course, any method to test the DS II would be very appreciated....
1985 Mercury Cougar V6
1989 F-200 V8
1996 Explorer V6
2001 F-150

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #13
Do you mean the coil? both my coil and starter solinoid took a dump on me. I would check both of those
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: Now, car wont Start.......

Reply #14
Here's what the TFI module looks like on the distributor. :)
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo