help please! engine cut out and wont start
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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help please! engine cut out and wont start
Alright well...i was on my way to summit racing to pick up some goodies for my truck, while on the highway all of a sudden, my rpms just completely dropped to zero(at the same time while still hitting the gas, but nothing was happening), and my truck just kept back firing or something. It than just completely cut out (keep in mind all while i was in the middle lane of the highway, in rush hour, so nobody would let me just coast and merge over to the shoulder so that sucked majorly) So when i finally get onto the shoulder, i try to start it. Well it wouldnt. Its still turning over and everything, battery, alternator etc seem fine, its just the engine wont fire up. Well, im stumped. Someone was kind enough to actually stop and give me a ride home and had my brother and brother in law go and check it out with me. Bro in law said im not getting any spark when trying to start it. What in the bloody hell is wrong? Does anybody know...im seriously getting very tempted to sell this stupid thing because its seems every week something else breaks 
I need help really bad because its my daily driver. Thanks guys...
I need help really bad because its my daily driver. Thanks guys...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 354
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From: Memphis, TN USA
If your ignition system is a Duraspark III or similar that uses CPS (Crankshaft Position Sensor), then check that first to make sure that its wire is not rubbing to the ground and make sure the CPS is still working because the ignition module depends on the CPS signal.
Check first for the primary voltage present on the ignition coil as well as it's resistance. Next, check the balast resistor resistance, then the ignition module.
Check first for the primary voltage present on the ignition coil as well as it's resistance. Next, check the balast resistor resistance, then the ignition module.
Last edited by Slade901; Dec 26, 2003 at 06:40 PM.
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Thanks guys. Any other things i should check in the morning while under the hood to try and see whats wrong with this thing? No way am i paying to have it towed to a shop for them to look at it. Aint worth it.
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Well i thought id give some more info. Like i said, im not getting any spark, but still getting fuel. Whenever i try to start it i get a strong smell of gasoline under the hood. Been reading around on the forum..seems like maybe it could be the TFI module? Ahhhh i dont feel like working on this thing in the cold lol.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 354
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From: Memphis, TN USA
Fixing your car is the most exciting thing you will experience knowing you have fixed it.
If you have a book for your truck, then follow the step by step troubleshooting and measurements.
Get a tow chain (never a tow rope because it will break) and have your truck pulled from the front and bring it to your family or friends house.
If you have a book for your truck, then follow the step by step troubleshooting and measurements.
Get a tow chain (never a tow rope because it will break) and have your truck pulled from the front and bring it to your family or friends house.
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Yea we already pulled it over to my brother in laws house since he knows a lot more about Fords than i do...hes got a 79 F250. But anyways.....im thinking maybe it could be that i need the new TFI module. Seems that other people on this forum have had trouble with them before. Also, would it be better to buy something like a (brands) Echlin from napa, Accel from Summit Racing or Autozone, or just go with a stock one straight from the Dealer?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Concord, NC
I'd either go with an Echlin one or a stock one. Autozone parts always make me nervous - you don't want the same thing happening to you again a week from now. Be sure to put the heatsink grease on the back of the new module so that it doesn't over heat.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: clarks mills, PA
you people diss autozone and its really your own fault. 90% of the time they sell a cheap brand and a good brand but you just see the cheap price and get itinstead of spending the extra couple of bucks and getting the good one
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Concord, NC
Before you jump all over my case, I just said their parts make me nervous - I didn't say not to ever go there. I trust NAPA and Carquest parts more than I trust parts from a discount store like Autozone or Advance. I think most of the time the saying holds true: "you get what you pay for."
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Hmm... i was just wondering because i can get an accel from Autozone and i thought Accel was a good aftermarket company for ignition stuff. The napa one is 75, the Autozone one is 60, and the one from Summit Racing is 45 but exactly the same as the one from Autozone.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: formerly Brooklyn NY now
i swear by napa stuff autozone they have grade school flunkies working there nine times out of ten while the managers who actually know something about cars are doin paperwork in the back so ya hardly ever get the right part
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I know what your saying 99ranger...i kinda feel the same way. But i just want some more opinions if its worth it/justified to by the one from napa since depending on where i get it from the napa can cost over $15 to $30 more than other places. Im tempted to just get the Accel from Summit Racing for $45. But have also heard that stock dealer replacements are better. Ahh i cant make up my mind.
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Well i just got the Accel from summit racing. The stock replacement from the dealer was $122 
so i said screw that. It runs now, but since i had to take the distributor out partly my timing is a little screwed up now. My brother in law set it the best he could. Is it okay to drive it like this until we fix the timing completely right? Its still runs fine and all, just runs a little rougher and definetly can smell from the exhaust its not completely right.
so i said screw that. It runs now, but since i had to take the distributor out partly my timing is a little screwed up now. My brother in law set it the best he could. Is it okay to drive it like this until we fix the timing completely right? Its still runs fine and all, just runs a little rougher and definetly can smell from the exhaust its not completely right.