84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? November 13, 2011, 03:23:58 PM Well I just had the Cougar towed from a shopping center yesterday.Would try to start, but no go.Went out this AM, and started perfectly.Was wondering if because of age I've got a lot of junk in my tank and bytowing it, it moved the sludge away from the tank filter and solved the problem.Questions:1) Any way to determine if I have a lot of junk in the tank other than pulling it (Ah for the days where the gas line had a glass bowl which would show any junk before it reached the carb)?2) Anyone know where I can get a new tank -- ruled out trying to clean old, and paint inside, based on a friends issue with his tank?ThanksDavid Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #2 – November 14, 2011, 12:36:13 AM Pull codes and jumper the sti connecter and do a wiggle test. Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #3 – November 14, 2011, 09:45:32 AM Mr. Renzo:QuoteNote i disconnect the switch with a pair of cutters some shrink tubing and a soldering iron. They are more trouble than they are worth. Interesting. Never gave the inertia any consideration as just pulled into parking spot. About 1/2 hour later no-start. Definite consideration if happens again.Haystack:Did the wiggle test while in lot. Didn't pull the codes in lot as didn't have a VOM handy-- nor since restarted -- but will pull them now for a quick look see. Most everything new under hood, and I watch it pretty closely.First thoughts were the distributor stator or TFI had gone out. Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #4 – November 25, 2011, 09:21:01 PM Removed Inertia Switch from vehicle. Still No-Start Condition. After several tries final got it started.Codes are: On Demand (11) -- OKContinuous -- 48, 32, 13, 77Following book troubleshooting using codes not much help IMHO. Question: The oxygen sensors on this vehicle have never been replaced nor tested.The passenger side O2 appears to be a %$#@& to get at. Is trying to get to the pins at the ECM a better way to test -- or -- got an easier solution? Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #6 – November 26, 2011, 01:24:08 PM Tom: Thanks for your input.Where did you get the description for the posted codes? I have the original shop for the 84, 3.8 and Quick Test points me to HC (p25-125) which addresses EGO at HC20 for 3.8. I don't have a breakout box.I do see where vacuum is listed after EGO at HC. Since I pulled codes with air cleaner off and hoses NOT plugged figured I'd start with EGO since HC listed it first.FWIW I did notice that the upper rad hose was VERY HOT (couldn't hardly touch) and not pressurized (soft) after running for about 2 minutes which per HC21 does throw me back to Quick Test Step 5 for retest. Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #7 – November 27, 2011, 03:03:12 PM Code 13: Not reaching low idle fast enough.I had this problem on my 84 3.8.The throttle return spring did not have enough oomph. The square pad on the throttle linkage didn't push on the ISC motor plunger hard enough to operate the idle tracking switch.I drilled a small hole in the square pad and added an extra spring. May be shade tree, but it solved my problem. I put the spring inside a chunk of shrink tube to keep it from snagging an adjacent spring.Also check for proper clearence between the ISC plunger and the square pad with the plunger retracted. Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #8 – November 27, 2011, 09:25:20 PM Softtouch:Thanks for the suggestion. Great Pics! Following your pics will make an easy install. Haven't yet checked ISC, but last time I replaced it I set it at "7/32" Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #9 – November 28, 2011, 12:44:56 PM refer to my diy link and check you ECT sensor~ once upon a time i had fuel but no spark and after the codes made no sense i went ahead and invested in FoMoCo stator and TFI, and to my amazement still not spark. Moved on to wiring check and the like and stumbled across a statement in the shop manual which got me curious and , a new ECT cured the issue. It is my belief that the ECT can act as an over heating fail safe ,, ie- since you said your car seemed hot at the upper hose.You dont need a meter to pull codes, just a paper clip, i include a small 12v buzzer to produce audible beeps so i can wite the codes as i hear them.Inertia switches typically are not intermittant so bypassing isnt worth it, if it has continuity or power in / out then move on.If you go out again and there is no start, push in the fuel pump test point needle and see if fuel sprays everywhere (have a towel), that rules out fuel delivery.Check for spark at the driver side after the fuel has evaporated away since the driver side is easier to get to.vac delivery is a bitch on these CFI's, so one day you aught to remove the base plate and clean up near the gold fitting on the rear driver side ,, it clogs up and never gets any attention. you have to remove the whole cfi and flip it over and you will see what I mean.so, all it comes down to is do you have fuel and spark.if no fuel, use something to bet on the tank with the key in the on positioin. This is a problem with one person if you want to make the fuel pump run but the timer circuit in the eec has timed out the complementary 3sec with KOEO.Solution, jumper the tan and light green wire in your eec self test connetor directly to frame ground with the Key OFF!!!now turn on your key and the fuel pump will run continuous, if it does not on a few different tries then your pump is intermittant.,,replace it.If it runs each and every test and delivery up at the shrader valve sprays like a bat out of hell, you probably have spark issues.Spark needs to be blue / white,, nothing else, if its any shade of orange, then your probably right and the stator is being nice and is giving you warning,,either that or the tfi. Be thankful, no one else gets a stator warning sign, it just goes bad.Incase you did not know, your fuel presure regulator atop your CFI is adjustable (66% chance that is). there are or were three makers of this, (ford, vendor A and vendor B). If you pop the freeze plug out the top for an OEM model or the plastic button for after market, you will see an allen head screw, one turn cw is about 3psi increase but this isnt linear so dont fool with it too much. If you do know the fuel pump is running, listen to see if you hear fuel returning back to the tank.I liked my old CFI for one reason , because anytime I needed fuel for a lawn mower or whatever, i could just jumper the test connector, remove the pass side feed line to the CFI and drop it in my fuel can, turn on the key and fill up for cutting grass.Next check for Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #11 – November 29, 2011, 12:14:29 PM Softtouch:Do like your spring idea. "Softtouch" do you recall where you got your spring? Vehicle always had a problem coming off fast idle. Played with it a bit by putting pressure on DC motor plugger. Seemed to to improve idle. ==============JCassity:QuoteYou dont need a meter to pull codes, just a paper clip, i include a small 12v buzzer to produce audible beeps so i can wite the codes as i hear them.I use a 12v test light but buzzer would make it easier.QuoteIf you go out again and there is no start, push in the fuel pump test point needle and see if fuel sprays everywhere (have a towel), that rules out fuel delivery.Check for spark at the driver side after the fuel has evaporated away since the driver side is easier to get toFirst thing I always do is air, fuel, spark.Air -- Remove top of air cleaner make sure plenty of air.Fuel-- Have helper crank engine, and see if injectors are putting fuel on top of the CFI throttle plates.Spark - Pull and easy plug wire. Put in a test spark plug that goes to ground and have helper crank engine to see if getting any spark.In this case all three worked fine. Tried yesterday AM and started fine.Quotecheck you ECT sensorWill do thanks for the tip.Quoteyou aught to remove the base plate and clean upDone not too long ago.QuoteIncase you did not know, your fuel presure regulator atop your CFI is adjustableDidn't know that thanks for the tip.QuoteSpark needs to be blue / white,, nothing else, if its any shade of orange, then your probably right and the stator is being nice and is giving you warning,,either that or the tfi. Be thankful, no one else gets a stator warning sign, it just goes bad.Interesting on color. Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #12 – November 29, 2011, 03:49:29 PM Quote from: dw85745;374097Softtouch:Do like your spring idea. "Softtouch" do you recall where you got your spring? Vehicle always had a problem coming off fast idle. Played with it a bit by putting pressure on DC motor plugger. Seemed to to improve idle.That has been quite awhile ago. I am pretty sure I got it at a hardware store. Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #13 – November 29, 2011, 04:29:35 PM They had some software problems with the 84-85 EEC's and the fix was to install an 86 EEC.I never got around to doing on mine, but it may be something to think about. Quote Selected
84 Cougar 3.8 Fuel Tank Bad?? Reply #14 – November 30, 2011, 08:57:18 PM Softtouch:Made note of 1986 EEC. Thanks Quote Selected
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