88 3.8

Topic: 88 3.8 (Read 729 times) previous topic - next topic

88 3.8

March 14, 2008, 08:28:03 PM

Well i have Several questions. i am tryin to get my parts car up and running. I currently have it cranking. It has been sitting for approximately 6-8 years. Specs on it are 88 3.8 MPFI with AOD
the fuel lines are disconnected and while crankin no fuel comes out of them. ( i am using a squirt bottle to spray fuel into the throttle body)

The issues im having so far is
A. Motor doesnt crank very fast
B. Not Firing

I have checked and i am getting spark. i even used the rotor and coil from the 86 3.8 in case those were bad. Motor isnt cranking fast enough for me to do a compression test :-|
Anyone have any input?
Also is there a trip for the fuel pump for when a vehicle rolls over it shuts the fuel pump off? If so i need to reset that. and if anyone have a fuse panel layout it would help... This car has power mirrors, windows, locks, drivers seat, premium sounds etc.
if anyone can help its much appreciated.
Eric

88 3.8

Reply #1 – March 14, 2008, 10:02:14 PM

Maybe the inertia switch is tripped, it's by the driver side taillight on the Birds guessing same for the Cougs... OR maybe the fuel pump is stuck from setting, possibly gummed up with old fuel... Pump should run for a second or two when you turn the ign switch on(not necessary to crank it)... Flip the sw on/off a few times and listen for the pump...

Starter may be the slow crank problem, especially if it cranks slow without the plugs installed...

88 3.8

Reply #2 – March 14, 2008, 10:09:24 PM

well i found the switch and changed the battery so it cranks faster now. just figuring timing and firing order... i know its 142536 just figuring which is number 1 on the dizzy.

88 3.8

Reply #3 – March 14, 2008, 11:03:23 PM

It does not matter what post on the dizzy is number 1. BTW, most dizzy caps for the 3.8 have number 1 stamped. If the dizzy has been out, your gonna have to start off with the TDC process.

There are also fuse panel layouts as well.

88 3.8

Reply #4 – March 14, 2008, 11:42:31 PM

well i found the layout for 87 on the EVTM which shouldnt be much different if any. both 3.8 dizzy's i have available to my hands right now do not show a number 1 for it but i beleive the leading screw for the cap just the post forward of it is the number 1 cyl

88 3.8

Reply #5 – March 15, 2008, 11:21:20 AM

Mine did the same thing after sitting for several years, jcassity and others helped me through it... But mostly it just seemed like the fuel injection system was clogged up...

I got a charger, fully charged the battery, Then sprayed a bit of Starter Fluid into the throttle.
It fired right up! then died. (did this twice)
The i got a small cap full of gas and poured it into the throttle, it ran longer... but still died.

Found out i wasn't getting any fuel to the injectors even though the fuel pump was initiating.
jcassity had me wire some connectors so that the fuel pump would stay on with ignition on, I left it like this for a couple minutes, Then started it up and it fired and stayed on!

Been fine since.
Almost like it needed to build up pressure? or clear out a clog in the lines to the injectors...

Dunno if thats the case here, But worked for me.