ok soo i was driving and the car just died. i did some messin around found it lost spark. the coil is good. the coil also has power...it doesnt seem to pulse though. could my problem possibly be ign mod, or just the distributor itself? any good ways to test them?usually im good with this stuff but im having a huge brain fart with everything goin on in my life right now...anything will help thnks!!
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82 courier,
2.3l turbo conversion, msd ignition, bigger turbo, stinger header, external wastegate, walbro 255, other small things
Sounds like the module to me, a distributor usually doesn't drop spark to all cylinders when it fails. You checked the easy stuff like the rotor and cap right? I had to replace two of those modules on my 87 4 banger in a period of four years. The good thing is that (at least for my model) they only cost around $25 or $30 at shucks.
More than likely the TFI module. Run codes to test. It's an inherent design flaw from Ford. That's why everyone tends to relocate the TFI to the fender apron, etc. Here's why................ TFI overheating info
billthecougnut - the reason why you replaced the modules twice in 4 years is because:
a) You didn't address the root problem - relocation of TFI, and
b) You used the wrong TFI's - Motorcraft ONLY has been proven time and time again. $98 from Rockauto.com
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'89 LX ragtop with turbo'd TC motor - Thunderstang!
'86 Turbo Coupe (daily driver)
'88 Turbo Coupe (parts car)
OK DID YOU MAKE SHURE THE DZZY IS TURNING WHILE CRANKING?? iF IT DOES THEN THE TFI IS PROBABLY SHOT. Also the pip may also have gone south?? I normally change both at the same time but it is a little complicated to change the PIP because the DIZZY gear has to be removed. The TFI module is a bad design like evinthal pointed out. They do go bad at times. Just make shure the dizzy is turning before ripping the dizzy apare. Good luck tom.
ok thanks guys that what i was hoping to hear! i kinda figured it was da tfi but wanted some other opinions, and yes cap, rotor, and dzzy were all checked and ok. well i gues ill head out and get a tfi and try to relocate it. ill let ya know how it goes thanks!!
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82 courier,
2.3l turbo conversion, msd ignition, bigger turbo, stinger header, external wastegate, walbro 255, other small things
Install the TFI first to see if the engine runs. If it does then relocate it. Its not really necessary to relocate but it is a very good idea. Go to the JY and find a van or taurus with a relocated module and buy all the parts including the wiring harness. Remember motorcraft parts only.
don't worry about relocating it, it took 22 years before mine went, on my 87, and my other two stangs with a 2.3 and 5.0 never gave me a problem, just give the tfi some silcone heat sink grease, relocating it is cool, and would eliminate the heat from the motor heating tfi, but i can see alot of headaches down the road if not done perfectly.
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1987 ford mustang 2.3l turbo
mods: 1988 t-bird turbocoupe engine w/ IHI turbo & TMIC
recirculation valve fab'd to side of intercooler
merkur xr4ti ecm merkur small vane air meter
custom turbo back exhaust with cat, magnaflow 99 gt tailpipe.
AOD to t-5 swap
ford racing non adjustable quadrant with firewall adjuster
white pony wheels
Hay kurt you are a right on with the test it stuff. I hate part changers. Some shops have said they tested good and did not work??? i never found that to be true. HA HA. Good point .
its been a while since ive been on this, but the what i ended up findin was that the distributor and aux shaft gear were both missing teeth and were stripping out the rest...kinda crazy it still spun when i watched it which was why i was leaning toward tfi. i decided to teardown and inspect for other damage since im gonna rebuild it anyways. i also found my oil cooler internally leaking coolant...yaayyy lol
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82 courier,
2.3l turbo conversion, msd ignition, bigger turbo, stinger header, external wastegate, walbro 255, other small things
Glad found problem. Another way distributor can fail. This was on a 87-88 turbocoupe. Top plate under rotor separated from distributor shaft. http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...5/100_6437.jpg http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...5/100_6434.jpg
Another failure mode I am personally familiar with. The bottom of the shaft stripped out on the inside. Was a donar motor in car. Dismantle engine and found motor slugged up. I assume oil pump was tight and stripped shaft. Maurice
1988 turbocoupe, lost spark...i need help 
82 courier,
