1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Topic: 1988 thunderbird v6 problems (Read 11074 times) previous topic - next topic

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #15 – May 31, 2016, 06:20:18 PM

I found a plug with a yellow and red wire not plugged into anything looks just like another plug that's plugged inot with a green and black wire right besides the distributor

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #16 – May 31, 2016, 06:21:51 PM

Sounds like a bad ignition switch (in the column) to me.

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #17 – May 31, 2016, 07:24:44 PM

I thought that but it did start twice when I put the new coil on and I tried the new coil b4 I mounted it when I came back and mounted it it wouldn't start?

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #18 – May 31, 2016, 07:36:37 PM

Could it be an eec power relay?

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #19 – May 31, 2016, 10:13:12 PM

If you have fuel pressure then the eec is turning on, being as the eec turns on the fuel pump.

I'm really, really confused here. If everything checked out according to the efi troubleshooting walkthrough, then everything is functioning fine except for the tfi or pip (stator). In theory at least. So either everything is fine, or you might have overlooked something when you did the troubleshooting. There are quite a few things that could be wrong, and quite a few things that can stop a car from running, but there are only a few things that control fuel and spark. If it doesn't start with starting fluid, you do not have a fuel problem.

All I can say is try to run through that trouble shooting list again and make sure you didn't skip anything.

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #20 – June 01, 2016, 02:08:19 AM

Quote from: Boothcody22;455506

I thought that but it did start twice when I put the new coil on and I tried the new coil b4 I mounted it when I came back and mounted it it wouldn't start?

Still wouldn't rule it out. This forum's full of threads with folks having weird/intermittent problems that ended up stemming from the column ignition switch. Charging system quit working when my switch went out, but seems there are no typical symptoms. Any one of the many contacts within the switch could be too oxidized to conduct, causing different issues. Might as well replace it if you haven't - it's cheap, easy, and the old one will fail sooner than later.

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #21 – June 01, 2016, 03:59:25 AM

Alright I'll try the ignition switch and I'll run through the tests again. It's wierd that it had problems when I bought it drove it home then just couldn't get it drivable again it's started a couple times but anytime I have it gas it would die then no start

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #22 – June 01, 2016, 08:04:53 AM

Best of luck. If nothing else, it'll firm up the feel of the ignition and be one less thing to break.

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #23 – June 01, 2016, 09:38:05 AM

Well new ignition switch still no spark I can here the injectors click when I turn the distributor back and fourth. What's the odds of the stator going bad in a new distributor

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #24 – June 01, 2016, 02:34:50 PM

What about the TFI module thing that's bolted to the radiator support area? I might have one in my parts bin. I could send it to you really cheap to try.

Looks like a little finned box.

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #25 – June 01, 2016, 03:49:40 PM

I put a new tfi on it what's the chances of it being bad brand new?

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #26 – June 01, 2016, 06:50:32 PM

Quote

Boothcody22

Well new ignition switch still no spark I can here the injectors click when I turn the distributor back and fourth. What's the odds of the stator going bad in a new distributor

I thought for sure when you said it tried to start when turning it off that you were getting power to things in run but not start. Have you check to make sure you have 12 volts to everything that needs it while the ignition is in the start position?

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #27 – June 01, 2016, 07:39:51 PM

Ya it seems like everything has power now we just can't get any spark at the plugs which is wierd because now it just don't start when I first got it you could let it sit and it would start for a little bit

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #28 – June 02, 2016, 08:45:36 AM

OK so I took a multimeter to the coil I'm getting 12 volts key on 9 volts starting? Is that backwarda?

1988 thunderbird v6 problems

Reply #29 – June 02, 2016, 09:15:13 AM

Nope fine, battery voltage falls when cranking...

Have you verified ACTUAL spark at coil??

All you need to test is a grounded spark plug in end of coil wire... Open gap to around .150", good spark will be very visible...

If injectors are clicking, the PIP in dist should be fine...