Chasing electrical problems are not fun - Peninsula Mustang Enthusiast

4bangstang · 07-29-2010, 10:35 PM

For the past 2 weeks I have been trying to figure out what's the deal with my car. It happened two weeks ago when I was on my way home from work on a Friday when the car just died. It took a few restarts before it stayed running. I parked the car and looked at a few things and found nothing wrong. I drove it over the weekend without another issue. Then on that following Monday after work I tried to start it and it would run for about 15 seconds and stall. Then it did this a few times until I got fed up with it. I replaced the tfi module and distributor, timed it and went home. I thought I solved the issue...Wrong! About three days after it ran fine then it happened again. It stalled this time at the car wash on hwy 17 by harley davidson. It wouldn't start unless I let it sit for about 5 minutes. This is what I have done to it.
1. Replaced distributor and TFI module
2. Replaced ignition coil
3. Checked for any vacuum leaks
4. all fluids are good
5. Ignition timing nd camshaft timing are good
6. Checked engine grounds
7. Fuel pressure is good
8. Oil pressure is good when it runs
9. Tested old ignition coil and tfi module and test were good(now I have spare parts)
10. Spark plugs and wires are good and plug gap is good
11. All pipe, hose and electrical connections are good (that I have found)

So tomorrow if it don't rain I'm going to test the MSD box and the TFI module connector. I'm going the recheck the engine grounds and do a compression check. I do notice it starts easier when only my stock pump in the tank is running so maybe the in-line pump is restricting flow. I'm just guessing here now.

Hotrodredneck · 07-30-2010, 07:12 PM

computer driven car?

4bangstang · 07-30-2010, 07:59 PM

Yeah, it's efi. I bought some flat blade connectors to test the tfi module connector and some contact cleaner. I'll give it a try. I'm also dropping the tank tomorrow. It may be full of gunk from 21 years.

Hotrodredneck · 07-31-2010, 06:31 AM

I've seen computers go bad

4bangstang · 08-01-2010, 02:38 PM

Well, I dropped the tank and replaced the stock pump with the 255. I washed the car before the cruise in and it died. This is the 2nd time in a row that I washed the car and I wouldn't crank so I'm leaning toward the msd box because it may be getting moisture in it. I priced them at summit for 159.00 for the same msd 6al. It was raining today so I couldn't test it. Maybe I'll just run off stock coil.