TFI module idea. Will this work?
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TFI module idea. Will this work?
I asked about my truck dying if driven at speed for any length of time. Thelonerangerxlt replied that it may be my TFI module as these have a history of giving problems. Since then, I have done some research into these things and it seems that the problem is that the TFI module is attached to the distributor which is in a hot spot in the engine bay. The TFI module starts to malfunction when it gets too hot. Once it has cooled below this critical temperature, everything works properly again. This causes intermittent stalling and rough running. It can also be a difficult problem to diagnose as, once the TFI module has cooled, it tests fine with no evidence of the problems it had caused when hot.
Has anyone tried running a piece of ducting drawing cool outside air and running it to the distributor area? It seems to me that this should solve the problems for anyone whose TFI fails only when the engine compartment gets too hot.
Any comments or further suggestions?
Thanks,
Ian
Has anyone tried running a piece of ducting drawing cool outside air and running it to the distributor area? It seems to me that this should solve the problems for anyone whose TFI fails only when the engine compartment gets too hot.
Any comments or further suggestions?
Thanks,
Ian
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TFI module idea. Will this work?
Ian, that is a good idea. The cowl (high pressure area) is very close to the distributor and the TFI module. It should be very easy to cut a small hole in the firewall with a hole saw, and run a short piece of ducting directly toward the TFI.
I had also thought of moving the TFI to a cooler spot, and running a made-up wiring harness to it. But that would probably produce too much signal loss to the coil...
I had also thought of moving the TFI to a cooler spot, and running a made-up wiring harness to it. But that would probably produce too much signal loss to the coil...
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Oshawa Canada
TFI module idea. Will this work?
Make sure that between the module and the distributor is very clean and coated with dialectric (probably spelled wrong) silicone so it can transfer the heat, from the module to the distributor.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: USA
TFI module idea. Will this work?
In talking directly to Ford engineers on this it was a component internal
that could not take the temperature swings hot/cold vise versa. changed
about 6 of these on a 87 bronco 2 in about 8 yrs. 205,000 miles
i beleive all new replacements should not have the problem.
As you know there was a large lawsuit about it.
As stated before yes,you still need to use the grease between the
module and distributor,to help disapate the heat build up.
later
Rich
Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out Mr Mayor of Truckville
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The dielectric grease is not a very good conductor of heat, better than nothing though.
The trick to longetivity for the TFI module is to use the thermal grease used for heatsinks ( which is what the body of the distributor is used for in this case ) in computers. The white paste sold at Radio Shack is cheap and works very well in the high temps here in El Paso, Tx.
The trick to longetivity for the TFI module is to use the thermal grease used for heatsinks ( which is what the body of the distributor is used for in this case ) in computers. The white paste sold at Radio Shack is cheap and works very well in the high temps here in El Paso, Tx.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Sand GAp, KY
there is an access cover for the wipers on the fire wall that would work for the duct work check it out.
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Hahahahaha... gotta love it when a thread creeps out from the dark ages, so to speak. And on my $0.02 here, I am considering using an old non-fan style Pentium II heatsink, #14 wire, connectors, etc. to remotely relocate my module from the distributor -- where it will get some cooler air. I have seen other sources that say "big piece of aluminum -- X" x Y".." etc, etc etc. Hell, if you can find an old dual-fan PII-PIII heatsink... bonus! I just happen to have parts lying around and since I have no need for said heatsink... thought it'd be worth a try. *shrug*
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