Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Topic: Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble... (Read 2673 times) previous topic - next topic

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

March 16, 2009, 03:09:46 PM

I have an 87 merc. cougar 20th ann. edition. Back during the summer of 2008 it started having problems.. It started cutting back.. It wasn't real bad at first I could just work the throttle and the car would pick up and go on. By the end of the summer it got to the point it would just cut out and cut off. As the temperatures here in South Carolina cooled off the issue went away til last weekend where the temp arose back into the 70's. This issue comeback with a vengence.. It cut out.... cut off... backfiring.... I went to cool cats for help but, there web site sent me here... There website said the TFI module had a known issue.. What pins do I check and in what sequence... This car has 208,000 miles on it... so any help would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Odie

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #1 – March 16, 2009, 04:21:24 PM

engine size?

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #2 – March 16, 2009, 04:25:55 PM

jpc - It's a 5L as with all 20ths.

Do you have a code-reader? It could be a bad or temperature sensitive sensor. It could easily be a bad fuel pump too! If no codes & not fuel related, it could be the TFI module which has a known overheating problem. Easiest way to confirm the TFI is to replace it - lol :hick: (perhaps you can check for spark after it shuts off.)

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #3 – March 16, 2009, 04:51:22 PM

Quote from: odie12372;261940

...the TFI module had a known issue.. What pins do I check and in what sequence... This car has 208,000 miles on it... so any help would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Odie

Hi Odie, not sure if this is what you're looking for, but the following link is for testing the TFI Module and includes detailed instructions including schematics. Hope it helps.

http://351winsor.com/joel/Ignition_Systems/tfi2.html

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #4 – March 16, 2009, 05:12:39 PM

I love Joel's write ups!

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #5 – March 16, 2009, 09:50:50 PM

if its on a 88 v-6 its mounted near the radiator in some sort of heat sink.

Disregaurd that...

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #6 – March 16, 2009, 10:03:14 PM

all you need to pull codes is a paper clip and a test light or 12v buzzer from radio shack.

cost, under 2 bucks

How do I use paper clip and test light to retrieve codes?

Reply #7 – March 16, 2009, 11:37:37 PM

How do I use paper clip and test light to retrieve codes?
I've heard of people doing it... I've never actually done it... I just thought that was a myth.

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #8 – March 16, 2009, 11:50:58 PM

after you check the tfi and pull codes and if everything seems to check out.. check the fuel lines, filters, pump, and connections. the f150 with a 302/c6/8.8 had for fuel lines and connections causing it to backfire, stumble, cut out, and barely idled even after infinite adjusting the idle.

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #9 – March 17, 2009, 12:53:59 AM

The car was give to me... The car sat for 3 years.... I had to put a fuel pump in it about 16 mths ago just to get it running and a new fuel filter.. The first 10 tanks of fuel I ran through this car was with lucas injector cleaner... Then I started mixing it with marvles mystery oil... when this started I put another fuel filter on it 6 months ago... but, the problem was still persistant.. a new fuel pump relay... a new tps sensor. Because the old one had cracks in it. run a fuel pressure test.. it's putting out 40lbs. of pressure.. what does a modulator valve do.. Is it like pressure regulator? remember 208,000 miles... 98% of this car is still factory... Just replaced the factory plastic coated timing chain cam sprocket last month ... To get rid of the knocking sound in the motor... But, when I put the grounding bar back in it's block after setting the timing @ 10 degree's btdc.. And I start the car back up. the timing jumps to 20-25 deg. btdc.. Is this a computer preset? Is this normal?

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #10 – March 17, 2009, 10:51:06 AM

20 degrees of timing (+/- adjustments to maintain steady idle) is normal at idle.

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #11 – March 17, 2009, 11:58:18 AM

Ok I just tested the TFI module Using the charts from the website pleasure cougar gave me the link to..
Some of the values matched perfectly... Some of them the values were off by whole numbers... I think TFI module is bad.. What do you all think?
Thanks,
Odie

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #12 – March 17, 2009, 12:21:23 PM

I just read a post where a fellow brought his to Autozone and they tested it for him. If it's bad, you should obviously replace it. It may end up being wasted money if it wasn't the cause of your problems though, but that's how it goes with these issues sometimes.

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #13 – March 17, 2009, 12:39:27 PM

well I called auto zone and they told me they couldn't test it.

Help...87 20th ann. cougar Trouble...

Reply #14 – March 17, 2009, 12:54:52 PM

Oh, well - here's the article where the fellow stated that Autozone tested the module -> http://www.howardsupply.com/ford-merkur-xr4ti/ford-merkur-tfi-module-problems.htm

It also shows how he relocated it to allow it to run cooler.