sputters and dies
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sputters and dies
I have an '89 FSB 302. I have had this ongoing problem for about three months now. If I drive the thing for more than about 45 mins. continuously it will sputter for a minute and then die. It acts like it is running out of gas but thats not the problem. If I let it sit for 20-45 mins. it will start right back up and run fine. I have replaced the fuel pump that is on the rail, the fuel pump relay, fuel filter & ignition module. It has a small exhaust leak, which i think is coming from between the header and exhaust pipe on the drivers side. NE suggestions---I'm lost.
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Have you checked for codes? If not, thats where you should have started. All you need is a paper clip or you can get an OBDI code reader. Check out www.fordfuelinjection.com for details on how to do it. I would also reccomend reading through the descriptions of the various sensors so that you will have a basic understanding of how the fuel injection system works.
PS The check engine light does not need to be on for codes to be stored.
PS The check engine light does not need to be on for codes to be stored.
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From: God's country
my friend had a 92 5.0 ltre mustang with the same symptoms, it would run great for about 45 mins then just sputter and die. He changed the oxygen sensor and it fixed the problem. Strange that no codes came up?
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From: Regina
Do you have fuel pressure?
It would be easier to test than changing parts.
Could well be an ignition problem, a bad TFI module or something like that. They can fail in about 1000 different ways, and usually act up once they get warm, and work again once they get cold. There is also the pip sensor in the dizzy itself.
I'd say get it to act up and check your fuel pressure. If you're good, you can check for spark. Remember, air, fuel and spark are all an engine need to run. Check for all three and if you haven't missed something, you will have the vehicle fixed.
Thank goodness it completely dies, that should make it easier.
Good luck.
It would be easier to test than changing parts.
Could well be an ignition problem, a bad TFI module or something like that. They can fail in about 1000 different ways, and usually act up once they get warm, and work again once they get cold. There is also the pip sensor in the dizzy itself.
I'd say get it to act up and check your fuel pressure. If you're good, you can check for spark. Remember, air, fuel and spark are all an engine need to run. Check for all three and if you haven't missed something, you will have the vehicle fixed.
Thank goodness it completely dies, that should make it easier.
Good luck.
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How do I check the TFI module and what is a pip sensor? To check fuel pressure and spark, what is the easiest way? I know these are probably pretty easy things to check, but Im not too good with the whole electrical thing. I have also heard that there is something that you can hook up to the computer that will record things. Does anyone know about this, I was thinking about hooking it up and recording performance until it does die.
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From: Regina
To test the fuel pressure you need a guage. It needs to be for fuel injection, but you can probably find one at a parts store for less than $50. They screw onto the fuel rail. So, when the car doesn't start, screw the guage on and see if you have gas going to the engine.
The TFI can be tested at most parts stores, but if it's working on the truck it will work when tested. You can buy spark testers, basically you hook a plug wire up to them and look for a spark across the gap. The PIP is the sensor inside the dizzy that feeds to signal to the computer and the TFI and tells it when to spark.
Again, see if you have fuel and then spark. If you are missing spark I would probably start with the TFI, and if that fails then replace the PIP. Do you have any friends with spare parts? You could also probably pick up some parts from a wrecker or something for a quick test.
Hope this helps.
Ryan
The TFI can be tested at most parts stores, but if it's working on the truck it will work when tested. You can buy spark testers, basically you hook a plug wire up to them and look for a spark across the gap. The PIP is the sensor inside the dizzy that feeds to signal to the computer and the TFI and tells it when to spark.
Again, see if you have fuel and then spark. If you are missing spark I would probably start with the TFI, and if that fails then replace the PIP. Do you have any friends with spare parts? You could also probably pick up some parts from a wrecker or something for a quick test.
Hope this helps.
Ryan
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From: Regina
Originally Posted by mengonij
Isn't the TFI module the ignition module that is on the distributor??
Basically, the pip creates a signal, it goes to the computer, the computer recognizes it, ensures fuel pressure, fires injectors, etc, and sends a signal back to the TFI to generate a spark. And on and on a few thousand times a minute.
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Be sure to take a look at our Dyna-Module for the 5.0 application. It has more dwell time dialed into it, allowing whatever coil you run to saturate longer. The longer coil saturation time leads to a more intense spark.
http://www.performancedistributors.c...50ignition.htm
http://www.performancedistributors.c...50ignition.htm
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I had a 90 Olds Cutlass Supreme that did the same thing. Runs til hot, then die. Cool off, run til hot then die again. The problem was the engine computer. I know Olds and Fords are very different, But I thought I would throw that out there for you.
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