low spark????

Topic: low spark???? (Read 2215 times) previous topic - next topic

low spark????

May 04, 2014, 09:50:13 PM

ok, so my 87 3.8 is acting crazy. starts up fine,idles good, but after a couple minutes it just acts like it runs out of gas sitting at idle . pulled plugs and checked for spark, spark is there but seems weak. now my question is, why does it seem like it just runs out of feul and I can start it right back up for a couple minutes and it dies out again? if I try to drive it it seems like a carb flooding out but I have tbi, have changed injectors and fuel pump???????

low spark????

Reply #1 – May 05, 2014, 12:32:06 AM

What codes does it pull?

low spark????

Reply #2 – May 06, 2014, 12:58:12 AM

it was dark when I got home so tried to pull codes via a paper clip and flashlight.. lol didn't pull any codes, I will try again in daylight. not sure if I washiznitting the right pins or not but the cel came on for a few seconds as normal then it just went out,no flashing or anything

low spark????

Reply #3 – May 06, 2014, 11:13:54 AM

looks like KOER codes are 13, 33, 34. but if I unplug the IAC the car idles high when I plug it back in it idles down and dies out. couldn't get any codes KOEO

low spark????

Reply #4 – May 06, 2014, 11:46:51 AM

most likely you need to clean or replace the IAC. Sounds like what mine used to do before I changed it. Don't think the EGRV is going to affect it like that.

low spark????

Reply #5 – May 06, 2014, 03:52:30 PM

Are you sure it is an 87 3.8?
I believe they are all CFI.
The 10th position of the VIN is H for 87 and J for 88.

low spark????

Reply #6 – May 06, 2014, 05:40:06 PM

good point... 87s are CFI 88's are not

low spark????

Reply #7 – May 07, 2014, 12:22:32 AM

note the one on the left came off my car,its fully extended. the other I snagged for $9 vs the $80 that autozone was asking

low spark????

Reply #8 – May 08, 2014, 07:53:36 PM

You do have a CFI (TBI) engine.
So you do not have an Idle Air Control Solenoid.
What your picture shows are ISC Motors. (Idle Speed Control Motor)
Here is how it is adjusted:

low spark????

Reply #9 – May 09, 2014, 12:35:30 AM

that's some good info, but I got bigger problems now.. ran it hot, now the radiator holds pressure even when I haven't driven it for couple days, if I open the cap its like a volcano. im thinking blown head gasket

low spark????

Reply #10 – May 10, 2014, 10:24:20 AM

That sucks....sorry....but its a ford 3.8...heck they blow headgaskets anyways....overheating it did not help...

Travis

low spark????

Reply #11 – May 14, 2014, 10:10:14 PM

if your tail pipe is not white,
your oil still looks like oil
your coolant still looks green
and your radiator is circulating coolant like a mother f'er...

then your tstat is probably went into a thermal condition where is stuck open,, ~ie- broke.

for the CFI,
remove it, separate the CFI from the EGR base plate
there is a gold vac fitting on the driver rear side
take a look at the underside of the egr base plate and you will see obvious carbon build up

chip away at anythign and everythign that does nto belong there and install with a new CFI gasket kit.

if your froggy,
separate the CFI in half by way of removing the 4 phillups screws so you can then take out the injectors.
start a sheet metal screw into the top of the injector the yank real hard to reveal the collapsed injector screen/filter.
-you can install back without screens or buy new one.
-doing this will cure that age old *hesitation* when you are going from a stop to full throttle.... thank me later.

low spark????

Reply #12 – May 14, 2014, 10:12:18 PM

compression test the cylinders also before you assume anything negative,, besides head gaskets are not that hard to do on this car. i personally believe the 3.8 gets a bad rap. its not a power house but it does the job with decent gas mileage.

low spark????

Reply #13 – May 15, 2014, 01:01:49 AM

its all good,3eighter is coming out... 5.0 going in. then during the fall, when its cold to go fishing I will slowly build the 3eighter to my likings. I looked up head gasket kit from autozone its special order, ebay seems non existing, and ford dealer is obsolete!