86 TC shutting down help!!

[mike b]

I have a 1986 Turbo Coupe that will shut down for no reason while driving and then come back alive. Some times I will go out and try to start it in the morning and it will not. Come back a few hours or a day later and it will start fine. I have spend a good amount of money on parts and mechanics and nothing has helped.

[2-77s, 1-85, 2-86 TCs]

Try changing the TFI module on the side of the distributor. I believe your symptoms are the same as that of a bad TFI, from what symptoms I've been told. If you DO change it, make sure you only use MOTORCRAFT!!! Anything else isn't worth a damn!

Rick

[mike b]

The ignition module is good, although it is a Wells brand replacement part. The way I understand it is the module will work or not at all and not be intermittent. Now I may be wrong about that.

[2-77s, 1-85, 2-86 TCs]

From what I've been told, the Motorcraft brand items are the only ones you want to buy for these parts (as far as tune-ups go). Other brands just don't hold up for some reason. They tend to last between 1-3 months or so, and then they just start to go to hell. Don't know why, that's what I've been told.

Rick

[mike b]

I installed a new Motorcraft ignition module on Tuesday of last week. I then drove it to work, which takes me an hour and wouldn't you know it, the alternator goes out. So I get towed to the nearest AutoZone and replace the Alternator in the parking lot. On Monday this week, it did it again. Shut down for no reason. I had to wait about 25 minutes and then it started like nothing happened. It then proceeded to shut down one more time for only a second before it came back to life. Do you know of any switches that may be affected by heat that could cause this problem? Does it also sound like a possible ground issue? I at my wits end. If I don’t get this fixed I think I will have to get rid of it

[2-77s, 1-85, 2-86 TCs]

Mike, here's what I'd do. Go to ubb.turboford.org. That'd be the best move you could make right now. I'm on that forum, and I just picked up my TC, too, in February. I'm still learning, so instead of me just telling you what I THINK, go there and ask them, so they can tell you what they KNOW. That's your best bet, to be totally honest with you. I wish you luck and hope to see you over there soon. Remember, it's: ubb.turboford.org

Good luck!!!

Rick

[Antidis]

I've got an'86 bird and I've had the same problem. For me it was the ignition contacts inside the steering collum. The cast 'fingers' that held the two pieces together had stretched so they were loose. A tooth-pick jammed in there fixed it. ;)
Oh, you could prob. check to see if that's it: when you start you car, the key has to be all the way forword or it will die. If I giggled my key back just a little it would die. Good luck.

[fastguy]

I had the switch act up in mine also.

[karnage]

Originally posted by mike b:
I have a 1986 Turbo Coupe that will shut down for no reason while driving and then come back alive. Some times I will go out and try to start it in the morning and it will not. Come back a few hours or a day later and it will start fine. I have spend a good amount of money on parts and mechanics and nothing has helped.

There is a TSB out on these for an updated TFI wire harness connecter to the distributer.My buddy had an 83 that would do the same thing and this fixed it.He also replaced the hall effects switch inside the distibuter.Also hard starts on the turbo 2.3 are due to oil build up in throttlebody and the intake plenums.I cleaned mine out and it doesn't die or start hard any more.

[ 11-25-2002: Message edited by: karnage ]