Hard Start / Shuts off

[CP94GT]

This is a continuation of my "Plans for the day" post below.

I'm having a few problems with my '94 GT. A few times a week it will be really hard to
start, and on a few occasions I've had the car shut off on me while cruising down the
interstate at 70+. I've noticed that when the car won't start, it will crank, that there
is no movement on the tach, however when it does start the tach will move while cranking.
Also when the car shuts off, the tach immediately drops to 0. So I'm wondering what sends
the engine rpm to the computer (and tach), is it possible that this sensor is crapping out on
me and causing these issues?

Also, I've cleaned the MAF and replaced the fuel filter in the last few weeks, and new
plugs, wires and dist cap in the last 6 months. The car is running better but the issues
above are still present. I have not read codes from the computer.

 

[CC'S95GT]

has the distributor ever been replaced? Is there a lot of black dust in the bottom?
It sounds like the dizzy (pip) could be on it's way out.

 

[CP94GT]

There doesn't appear to be a bunch of black dust in the bottom of the distributor. It hasn't ever been changed. Is that where the
computer reads the engine speed from?

 

[Dr Fildo]

+1 on the PIP. Same exact thing happened to mine. Change the distributor. Not too hard oe expensive to do.

 

[toyman]

There doesn't appear to be a bunch of black dust in the bottom of the distributor. It hasn't ever been changed. Is that where the
computer reads the engine speed from?

For all practical purposes, yes. The PIP (Profile ignition Pickup) sends a signal to the PCM which then sends a signal to the TFI (Thin Film Ignition) module. The wire to the tach comes off the ignition coil. The rpm signal for the PCM comes back from the TFI.

 

[Dr Fildo]

I was wondering why the tach went to "0" too. Thanks, Toyman.

 

[CP94GT]

Thanks toyman, I'll try and pick one up in the next couple days, I'll let y'all know if it solves my issues...

 

[CP94GT]

Well Advance has two distributors available, A Richporter FD22, which is new and appears to be a direct replacement. And A Cardone 30-2888, which is a reman part. Both have a lifetime warranty and price is pretty much the same, except the reman one has a $30 core charge. Any thoughts?

 

[toyman]

New. The reman one may still have the old PIP if it tested okay for the reman. Your best bet is a new OEM one.

 

[CP94GT]

I was leaning that way, plus I think the new one might come with a cap and rotor, plus it doesn't have a core charge. Again thanks
for your help, I'll let you know how it all turns out.

 

[CP94GT]

Installed the new distributor on thursday, drove around town all weekend and finally to work today. She's running much better, might not be 100% yet, but starts on the first try and no hiccups or shutting off. Thanks for all the help!