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Topic: Car will then won't start..... (Read 6289 times) previous topic - next topic

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #15 –
Not exactly sure how to check the voltage at the hanger plug. I did try it with the key off, and no numbers on the screen. I turned the key on....numbers kept climbing. Probably had it on the wrong setting. I hate electrical stuff.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #16 –
Not sure if this is any good info....I put the key into the run position and put a test light to chassis ground, and then the probe into the pink wire of the hanger....no light. How do I test a relay?
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #17 –
OK, apparently from what I can tell, there will only be power to the plug for two seconds for priming, then when the car is actually running, so, gotta check that when somebody else is around. I can't reach the key and trunk at the same time.

Not sure where to go from here......Still seeking info and troubleshooting.

Ids there anything in the injector harness on the engine that could cause this? I swapped that a couple of weeks ago, then the issue started last week. I doubt that's it, but trying to cover all the bases.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #18 –
OK Vinnie read this carefully, it will put you on the right track...

First you don't really need a meter, a test light should find the problem... And no need to run off and buy a ECM relay if the CEL is on with engine not running, won't fix you problem...

Look for the black/pink wires on the inertia sw, both should have power with ign on(if only one has power the inertia sw is bad)... If neither have power you have a wiring issue between it and the ECM relay(again assuming the CEL is on with engine off)... If that the case I'll have to make another post...

If inertia sw has power on both wires move to fuel pump relay, red wire should also have power and the Tan/Green wire will(should) light the light dimly and go out when that wire is grounded...    The other two wires on relay should be yellow and pink/black(NOTE the shiznits at Ford are using pink/black for two different functions)... The yellow should always have power and the pink black powers the pump... Pink/black should have voltage when ign is on for approx two seconds, or constant power with tan/green grounded... Again note this pink/black is a different connection than ones on inertia switch...

If this checks out you have either a pump problem, issue with wiring to/from pump, or maybe the orange wire(pump ground) has a issue... I believe it's grounded under passenger seat, have been issues with corrosion at it's screw terminal...

G'luck, gotta run off for awhile but will check back soon...

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #19 –
Tom, it's fixed !!!

I was thinking.....until I hear back from you, I'll go ahead and replace the ECU relay. I dropped the door of the glovebox, nothing. I thought I'd have to remove the dash....nope. I removed the kick panel, and my relay was mounted down low. I couldn't get the relay apart from the plug.....finally I did. The relay and plug were corroded !!! SO, I made a mad dash to the bone yard, pulled the relay and plug, swapped the relay, grafted in the new plug. Good to go!!!

I would have never thought about that until you showed me the pic and it was mentioned that the EEC relay can cause that.

I appreciate the time you took to help me out. If you hadn't, I would still be scratching my head. LOL. THANK YOU!!!
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #20 –
I said eec relay in the second post...

Glad you got it fixed though.
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

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #21 –
Haystack, without you and Tom, as I said, I'd still be scratching my head. I was focusing on fuel related stuff, and never got into the eec stuff until this morning. Car is running fine except I ALMOST overheated it......forgot to plug in the electric fan. LOL. Crisis averted. The car is back in shape.

YOU GUYS are why I'd never leave this place or give up the old Bird. Great people, help when you need it, and I haven't seen many, if any, situations that we all haven't gotten figured out among the group of us. Thanks Haystack, Tom, Jerry......Pats on the backs for you guys. If I can ever help you, let me know. Except you Jerry, I will never help you in any way. LOL. LOL.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #22 –
Glad to hear it's fixed...

Wiring can be daunting but if you look at it a small portion at a time, isn't hard to figure out what's going on...
 

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #23 –
Thanks again. I'll never forget you walking me through the H.O upgrade, then Kitz holding my hand through the Mass Air swap. Then I did the T-5 swap, 8.8 swap......man, what a journey it has been.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #24 –
I never turned a wrench and was barely 16 when i joined this forum in the sleazy board days. I was like a kid in a candy store when i found the coolcats h.o. upgrade. Almost 15 years later and i still haven't done it.
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

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #25 –
I have done just about everything. Hmmmmm, I feel the need to post something about that in the lounge. LOL. I think I will. LOL.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Car will then won't start.....

Reply #26 –
Naaaaah, I got started.....way too much stuff to list. Changed my mind. LOL.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..