Weird engine problem- Help please

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Dec 29, 2012 | 04:49 PM

ROKRAWL

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Weird engine problem- Help please

I'm having a strange problem with my engine. It started by initially dying while running. The motor would stop firing but all the lights etc would stay on. I could wait a little bit crank it and it would start up and run fine for a while. This happened a few times in the same day last week and I went and replaced the Ignition Control Module, Coil, Distributor Cap, Rotor, and checked all the wires running to these items and it worked fine for a week. Yesterday it started happening again. Now, it will crank and run while in the start position but when i release pressure and let it go to on the motor dies. I replaced the Ignition Switch and Cylinder and am not having any luck. I can crank it over and rev the engine while the key is in the start position but as soon as I let off pressure on the key, returning it to the run position the motor shuts down. What can this be?

Dec 29, 2012 | 05:08 PM

mikeo0o0o0

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From: Stanley, VA

Sounds like the resistor wire has gone bad. This can be bypassed by running a wire from the "hot in run" position on the ignition switch to the + coil terminal and using a ballast resistor in the circuit. That way you don't have to hack into the underdash harness.

Dec 29, 2012 | 05:29 PM

mikeo0o0o0

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From: Stanley, VA

To check whether the wire is bad or not look for a connector behind the engine about the middle of the firewall. It will have 3 wires going to it, red w/ white trace, white w/ red trace and red w/ green trace.
Unplug the connector. With the ignition "on" check for voltage at the red w/ green trace wire.

Dec 29, 2012 | 07:42 PM

ROKRAWL

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Thanks. i think that will do it. No power at red/green wire. I'll rewire tomorrow.

Dec 30, 2012 | 11:11 AM

ROKRAWL

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I hooked the ballast resistor up and it started smoking. Bypassed the resistor and started right up. Is there a specific type of resistor I need? Did I hook it up backwards? Is it ok to bypass this resistor with a stock style coil?

Dec 30, 2012 | 12:04 PM

mikeo0o0o0

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From: Stanley, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROKRAWL

How bad was it smoking? Ballast resistors run hot. When they are new they might smoke a bit as they heat up for the first time and burn off the oils and chemicals used in manufacturing.
Pretty much any ignition ballast resistor would work but if you want figures, Ford specifies 1.05-1.15 ohms resistance.

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Dec 30, 2012 | 02:05 PM

ROKRAWL

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I let the oil and stuff burn off the resistor. It still would not start. I looked at the coil and it says 12V system on it. Starts fine when I hook it up direct without the resistor. Is the resistor lowering the voltage too much for the coil?