1989 Mustang 2.3L EFI losing power

Sam's Stang · 03-10-2009

I have a 1989 Mustang 2.3L EFI motor. Lately when I drive it seems to starve for gas and loses power. I have to floor it to get power back and keep it from dying (seems to happen when I get around 2 grand). During this time I also notice a strong gas smell from the exhust.

I just recently I did do a oil change, new plugs, and new filters.
Hooked up to a scanner I get the following codes during the key on engine off test

14-ECA detected intermittent lose of PIP signal

18-loss of TACH signal to ECA/ hayes books says spout circuit open

41-EGO sensor lean does not switch

Reading some of the older post I think I've narrowed it down to my timing slipped or the ignition module going bad. Which one would be the most likely or am I missing something else?

IXXBC · 03-11-2009

Same thing happened to mine.

Check timing before buying an ignition module, those aren't fun to take out because you need a special tool.

If you don't know how to do the timing, I can give you some help.

Get it timed, and make sure you do a good job. If you want to avoid do a timing check, simply do a compression test.

I had the same problem as you just last month, so I know how you feel.

NavySVO · 03-11-2009

If the SPOUT is not connected or experiencing an open signal, then the timing cannot advance with RPMs and it will run like poop.

mustanglx · 03-11-2009

What type (brand) of scanner are you using? I need to check out my 2.3 '89 stang. At high speeds on the freeway I can smell a sulphur like smell coming from the engine compartment. Thanks.

Sam's Stang · 03-28-2009

scanner was just your normal action scanner from autozone.

timing was off and i did adjust it to base w/o the spout connector pluged in. ran fine for about a day then it started doing it again. went ahead and changed the module and it seems to run better now. will keep updated. now hopefully my gas milage will come back up since it dropped by almost 50%. if this doesn't solve the issue is there anything else i can check?

IXXBC · 03-30-2009

Still got the knock sensor hooked up? might be a miscommunication with the computer