Codes 14 & 18
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Codes 14 & 18
Just purchased a 1987 Bronco II 2.9 w/5 spd. has approx. 104K/204K miles. Ran rough during idle and had low RPM miss and cut-out. Performed KOEO test with reader which produced codes 14 & 18, PIP circuit failure and SPOUT grounded. Replaced plugs, wires, cap, rotor, distributor and coil. Ran great for a coulpe of days, short normal comuting distances of less than 20 miles. While driving to work it DIED, no warning, no hesitation. Sat for a few minutes then tried to start, no start, sat awhile longer (5 minutes) tried again and it started. Checked for loose/bad conections none found. Did KOEO test and the same codes 14 & 18 are there. Any Ideas ??
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: UT
On my '87, CM 14 and 18 were associated with the TFI module (aka ignition module) failing. These are somewhat problematic on these. They are sensitive to heat. When you replaced the distributor, did you get a new ICM with it? When you installed the distributor, did you put adequate dielectric grease on it (which is supposed to help conduct heat away from the module? It can be hard to test, because the module only fails when hot.
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O.K. this is really getting old. drove from work to home approx 8 miles when pulling in the driveway the BII decided to cut-out & die. there it sat until saturday morning. started up and let it good and warm, it would cut-out at an idle. I pulled the ICM and checked with a VOM, tested bad Grnd to PIP-IN. Pulled distributor out and found the mounting surface for the ICM was not flat nor had much grease on it (the ICM was covered) so i filed the dist ICM mounting surface flat and smooth. Took the ICM to local parts store to have them check it, tested good (3 times) bought a new one anyway, installed the new ICM applied addequate amount of grease, cleared codes and started. Ran great, drove it around for approx 20 miles without any problems. Later drove it another 15 or so miles and just as I was coming to the house it cut-out but didn't die. Sunday didn't touch it. This morning I get in start it up runs good, start for work and not 2 blocks down the road it starts cutting-out and trying to die, so took it back home drove another truck to work. Not a good way to start the Monday.
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Performed a few more tests, coil voltage test (Crank & run) passed. Wiring harness voltage test, passed. TFI module test, passed. Spark timing advace voltage test, failed, checked SPOUT wiring found no shorts or bad connections. Unable to perform distributor hall effect test. Fuel pressure @ rail key on 40 psi, run 32 psi & steady. Vacuum at idle 19 & steady. The intermentant cut-out and dieing occurs at all tempature ranges cold to 190 degrees. Will be replacing distributor again this weekend and possibly converting to a remote mount TFI IM. Has anyone done this conversion with good results?? Also, while looking over the wiring diagram I noticed the IDM resistor, could this also be a problem?
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
The resistor could be a problem. From what you're describing, I would look at your wiring and distributor really close, even if the distributor is new. Something is not making a good connection somewhere - possibly a bad ground connection. In fact, I would check all of your engine wiring harness. I've never done a remote-mount TFI ICM conversion, but have considered it. You will need a really good heat sink to mount that thing on and a really good location. Some of the V8 'stang setups (maybe others) had a remote module, mounted on the radiator core support, IIRC.
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