Not starting after drive September 28, 2014, 08:31:34 PM Hello everyone,I am in the process of rescuing a 1988 3.8L cougar from the dead. I have replaced suspension, brakes, brake lines, fuel pump holder, wires, plugs, rotor, distributor cap and some other minor things. Car seems to be running good. However, after I take it on a 20-30 minute drive and then shut it off, I am intermittently unable to start it. If I wait 10-15 minutes OR try the next morning, it will start no problem. It only ever seems to intermittently not start after driving and it doesnt happen all the time. It is at the point where I do not want to shut the car off when I go out. Was hoping it would work itself out but it has been going on for a few weeks now. Any ideas would be appreciated. Kind Regards. Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #1 – September 28, 2014, 08:49:49 PM Battery was also changed. Forgot to mention that the car will turn over fine but just not start. Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #2 – September 28, 2014, 09:32:26 PM Does it crank and not start?? Or does it not crank need more info!! Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #3 – September 28, 2014, 09:34:10 PM Hi Tom - It will crank but just not start. Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #4 – September 28, 2014, 09:42:23 PM If I wait 10-15 minutes and then crank it again, it will start no problem. Runs very smooth once started. Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #5 – September 28, 2014, 10:58:08 PM Sound like tfi module to me..... Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #6 – September 29, 2014, 02:58:39 AM https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=owIpVKK9KsHuoATDoYDYDA&url=http://sbftech.com/index.php/topic,588.0.html&cd=1&ved=0CB0QFjAA&usg=AFQjCNG82xHeqRH5DWa1m_wj3YYx4ZQdEg&sig2=-f9sP133jUFUDjjZ2a9kMQFOllow every step here and have it done and fixed in half an hour Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #7 – September 29, 2014, 05:34:15 AM TFI PIP replace them both and go from there. Good luck Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #8 – September 29, 2014, 06:40:54 AM Tom/jay - my TFI is located near the radiator. I have read the thread on the TFI problems and it seems the TFI in that location rarely has problems? Can it still have problems?Haystack - that link has given me a lot to work through. Thanks. Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #9 – September 29, 2014, 09:27:08 AM in 1988 ford did not put the TFI (ignition) module anywhere but directly on the distributor.The electronic version of points is down inside the distributor. both the TFI or the stator/pip could be the problem.Does your side profile of your car have a slopped backwards window or is your car sorta "boxy" looking.if your saying its an 88 but its actually an 89, then the location of the TFI makes sense.If your car is actually an 88 then you are dealing with someone else's work to relocate the TFI. It may or may not be done properly,, who knows.once upon a long time ago, my ECT sensor, engine coolant temp sensor finally ended up being the reason why I was not able to start after the car got hot and it was an intermittent situation as you described.The 1988 3.8L in "your design" was a one year deal only.. ford changed body and harness designs in 89.your engine is not six separate injectors pulsing individually rather its 3 fire off then the other side of the motor three injectors fire off... similar to CFI setups of 87 and down 3.8L engines. You are also an internal balance motor which is a direct swap with the 4.2L crank/rods & pistons.. just fyi Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #10 – September 29, 2014, 09:30:28 AM in my diy link below,, pull your codes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, use a paperclip if you want but codes will tell you whats been happening to the car over the last 40 warm up cycles it has experienced. Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #11 – September 30, 2014, 07:12:24 AM Quote from: jcassity;438421in 1988 ford did not put the TFI (ignition) module anywhere but directly on the distributor.Incorrect...... Source: http://www.coolcats.net/help/tfi.htmlI've personally seen a few mounted as shown in the picture in the link as well.Quotemy TFI is located near the radiator. I have read the thread on the TFI problems and it seems the TFI in that location rarely has problems? Can it still have problems?It's an electrical component, so yes. I would imagine the failure rates on these remote mounted units is lower than the distributor mount setup though. Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #12 – September 30, 2014, 12:19:29 PM Could the ignition switch issue also cause this problem? Another probability is the starter is tired and when it gets heat soaked it gets finicky as to whether or not it will start. Moreover, the battery cables could also be the culprit. Darren Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #13 – September 30, 2014, 01:50:24 PM But see he said itll crank but it wont start. So you should rule out battery cables. Heat soaked starter? Possible. But i think starters are going going gone. No real indication of when theyre about to go bad. Quote Selected
Not starting after drive Reply #14 – September 30, 2014, 04:15:29 PM Just start it up, run it around the neighborhood until it's warmed up, then go home. Once the problem is exhibiting itself in your garage/driveway it's easier to fix. Figure out if you have spark and/or fuel. I bet one or the other is missing. When I have a problem like that, I have a neon spark tester that I throw in the glove box. When it's acting up, I jump out and put it on. Then you can see if you have spark right when it's acting up. Quote Selected
Topic: Not starting after drive (Read 4733 times)
previous topic - next topic
