Just quit Running!? Won't re-start!
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Raleigh NC
Just quit Running!? Won't re-start!
I know this is a Ranger Forum, and I have a '98 Ranger, but my question is about my '89 T-Bird SC. I bought this SC "super cheap" and it ran great for a couple of days. Then I stopped, put 5 gal. of 93 octane gas in it, and drove about 10 miles, never getting into 5th gear. As soon as I got into 5th, though, it lost all power. I pulled off the road, tried restarting, and it turns over, but won't fire. The distributor looks new, and all of the wires are new too. The belts are brand new, as well. My trusty Ranger came to the rescue though, and towed the T-bird. But now I can not figure out whats the matter with the T-bird. All the fluids are great, there are no leaks, or smoke. When the car quit running, I'd been in 5th for about 2 seconds. There was no hesitation, no sputtering or anything. The motor just shut off. I tried searching other forums, but can't find any help. Also, I've been a member here for a while and always gotten great help...so if anyone has any suggestions, please gimme a direction! I'm at a total loss as to what it could be.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Indiana
First is it getting spark?, then are the valves opening and closing, is there gas being injected into the engine. Did the engine just suddenly stop or did it slowly die, and was there any loud noises when it happened. Also check all the fuses.
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Junior User
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From: Raleigh NC
I haven't checked the fusses yet...gonna do that first thing tomarrow morning. I'm not sure if the valves are opening or closing, how do you tell? I'm by no means a mechanic...just a do it yourselfer. Yes, the engine just stopped suddenly. No noises at all. I wasn't even sure if quit at first. I have not checked to see if its getting spark, whats the easiest way to check? Someone mentioned sticking a screw driver in the spark plug boot and then touching it to the block and if there was a blue spark its getting spark, is this correct? Thanks for the suggestions!
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Indiana
First to check wether or not your valves are opeing and closing take off the valve covers and have a friend turn it over for just a few seconds. If the rocker arm moves (the thing that kind of looks like a teeder todder, one side connects to the rods that push the rocker arm up and the springs down.) If the springs go up and down then your probably fine. To check for spark first be VERY CAREFUL these things will shock the hell out of you, you can test it multiple ways one is to take off the sparkplug and hold it against the block and check to see if there is a spark between the gap, make sure to hold it there with something that wont shock you. Or you can just stick something metal on one of the distrubutor poles and see if there is a spark between the block and the metal thing. Once again make sure to not ground yourself, so using a screwdriver would be a good idea. If you have anyother questions just ask, and let me know how it goes.
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Junior User
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From: Raleigh NC
I'll give these a try and get back with you in a few days. I'm a little nervous about taking the valve covers off, especially since there is a super charger on the top of the block. But I'll check for a spark when I goto check all of the fuses. Thanks again!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Indiana
No problem and remeber check the easiest things first, itd suck to take the engine apart and find you've blown an fuse. Also just as a possibility check to see if the fuel shutoff accident switch is thrown. Check the valves as a last ditch effort, kinda sound like an electrical problem. HAVE FUN!!!
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Raleigh NC
Actually I feel like it IS an electrical problem...what is the fuel shutoff accident switch and where is it? I'd like to check this as well please....thanks!
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Post Fiend
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From: South Jersey
I would bet the inertia switch would be in the trunk on the T-bird. I'm leaning towards a fuel problem.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Raleigh NC
ok, inertia switch in the trunk. Is the inertia switch the same as the "fuel shutoff accident switch"? If its what I'm thinking of, on some cars its behind the kick panel on the passenger side. I maybe totally off base though. So Ken, if its a fuel problem are you thinking fuel pump or filter or what?
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Originally Posted by g-mann
ok, inertia switch in the trunk. Is the inertia switch the same as the "fuel shutoff accident switch"? If its what I'm thinking of, on some cars its behind the kick panel on the passenger side.
Posting Guru
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From: Higginsville, MO
My mom's 87 Cougar which is almost identicle to the T-bird, the Inertia switch was in the trunk on the drivers side. There is a small hole in the interior trim of the trunk with the switch being behind the hole. Press it to make sure that it has not been tripped somehow.
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Junior User
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From: Raleigh NC
ok, I have an update...I checked the inertia switch...found it with no problems, thanks to ya'll. When I pressed the switch it checked ever so slightly. I tried pushing it again and it didn't click that time, so evidently it had been thrown after all. At any rate, I tried to crank it, but since I tried cranking it so much, now the battery is dead. (We've had a nasty cold snap here in Raleigh for a couple of days) By the way I tried finding the fuse panel... I feel like a dumby but I couldn't find it. I thought it would be under the steerign column, but it isn't. I checked the end of the dash board as well, not there. The only fuse box I can find is in the engine compartment, but its only the fuses for the computer. One 5 amp fuse was blown, so I replaced it, and it still didn't crank. So after the battery is charged I'll try again.If anyone knows where the main fuse panel is, let me know so that I can check all the fuses at the same time! Thanks for all the help!
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Originally Posted by g-mann
I'll give these a try and get back with you in a few days. I'm a little nervous about taking the valve covers off, especially since there is a super charger on the top of the block. But I'll check for a spark when I goto check all of the fuses. Thanks again!