Thunderbird won't start

Greetings all ...

I have an 87 Thunderbird 5.0 that decided not to start over the weekend. The symptoms are :

Turn the key, engine cranks but doesn't start Fuel flow is good Battery is being drained by attempts, but is chargeable Power to ignition coil Distributor and rotor are clean and dry Rotor turns each time, but no spark Plug wires are less than a year old Spark plugs are old, but in good condition

I've already replaced the ignition coil and the throttle position sensor and it still won't start. Any and all suggestions welcome.

TIA

Reply to
Bradley
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There oughta be a primer for ford owners.

You have a tach, right? Switch to 'on' needle jumps a little, you hear the fuel pump..

Crank the engine, if needle bounces a little.. tach is getting spark signal. Thus primary of coil is good, at least.

But I bet you see it bounce once with key on then it lays there as you crank.

Since it ran good, then wont start... I bet you'll get an igntion module wrench, take off the TFI on the side of the Distributor (dont bother dist setting unless you must) and it will have a hard caky substance that USED to be heat sink grease.

  • * * * Clean all that off both surfaces before you install the new module...and put fresh heat sink grease on... that 'lube is important!* *
  • * *

Otherwise get a used dist off a wreck, remove the module in front of counter guy and check for greasy grease and that it's motorcraft.

If you do that you can test for spark as soon as you get home just by hooking up the wire harness and spinning dist. Then you will also have the pickup in case that is bad. Which you should ALSO be able to change without disturbing the dist.

Otherwise new Motorcraft or Echlin good.. Wells or no-name bad.

- - - - - - - -- - - - For us old- Tbird drivers, Spare Used dist, starter and alternator is always good to have around

Bradley wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@ptd.net:

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

I wish - my life would be a lot less stressful :-)

My tach is part of the digital instrumentation ...

Reply to
Bradley

Bradley wrote in news:q snipped-for-privacy@ptd.net:

Well, then... just PRETEND it doesnt bounce.

If you have a test lite.. put it on the dist side of coil and look for 'blips'..needle wiggle on a VOM.

Ign module wrenches avail any parts store about 5 bucks

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

Make sure the distributor is grounded or you'll still get no spark.

That's a trick I'd like to see! Bob

Reply to
Bob

"Bob" wrote in news:z2m2f.10197$ snipped-for-privacy@fe03.lga:

or... mebbe not

Ooops!

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

"Bradley" wrote

As checked where?

- Pulled plug, reconnected wire, held against block while cranking?

- Pulled wire from plug, held wire *near* block?

- Pulled coil wire from distributor cap, held wire *near* block?

Reply to
MasterBlaster

TFI module, probably. Get the engine codes read to help pinpoint the problem.

Reply to
Sharon K.Cooke

It was the TFI module. All is well now :-)

Reply to
Bradley

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