PLEASE HELP before i run it off a cliff

[ct67fastback]

i have a 95 GT 5.0 of course. and have been fighting with this issue for almost a yr. :

every month i drive 250 miles one way for work. when i do, my pony starts acting up. after the first hour and half or so the car shuts down, i get a few check engine light on an offs periodically between the hour or two. then it stays on and starts hesitating bad, until i have no power to the pedal and backfires, then it simply shuts down. but i wish thats where my problem ended. as i waited for the tow truck i cranked it over and it purred like a kitten, (a kitten on steroids ) so i cancelled the tow and went on my merry way. got to the ranch no problem. on the way back same thing. this time i didnt even call the tow truck i just waited about 20 minutes and sure enough back on the road. i took it in to a shop and told them what happened and they suggested a few things. but the diagnostics showed no issues. to make a story short ive been dealing with this for a while but it has never left me stranded, always cranked up. i replaced the fuel pump, stator (not starter), all filters air, oil, fuel. and nothing. i keep getting told by shops "we cant fix it if it aint broke, the odb1 does not save codes so if check engine light is not on we dont know the problem is.
im turning to you guys for help. hopefully i can find it here. my car is all stock, not one after market part with the exeption of the wheels. please help.

 

[rz5.0]

It does save codes.. Get a code reader get the codes your self..it's like 30 dollars.. TFI module maybe on it's way out..

 

[ProKiller]

and when you say stator, you mean the PIP sensor in the distributor? and this only happens when the car gets warm then once it cools back down it's fine? i would say it's spark/timing related not fuel.

 

[CC'S95GT]

The 2 guys above have you covered.
welcome to the site.
To cheap to buy a code reader? your haynes/chilton manual tells you how to pull codes with a paperclip. .

 

[BYEBYE2U]

TFI is my guess

 

[Mustanger]

Exactly what my 89 Bronco did! It was the TFI module!

I fought that for two years & finally a Ford dealer mechanic figured it out & remounted the Module away from the engine... it never overheated & broke down again. Sounds like yours is breaking down then resets & off you go.

 

[modo]

take the tfi off and goto advanced auto. they still have the machine to test them and will do so for free.

if you do find its bad then get a oem ford one

 

[95opal]

TFI is my guess

+1

Exactly what my 89 Bronco did! It was the TFI module!

I fought that for two years & finally a Ford dealer mechanic figured it out & remounted the Module away from the engine... it never overheated & broke down again. Sounds like yours is breaking down then resets & off you go.

+2

take the tfi off and goto advanced auto. they still have the machine to test them and will do so for free.

if you do find its bad then get a oem ford one

+3

 

[rz5.0]

It does save codes.. Get a code reader get the codes your self..it's like 30 dollars.. TFI module maybe on it's way out..

+4

 

[ct67fastback]

MAN!!! you guys are great! thanks for the quick replys and the insight. i will definitly buy a reader and take the tfi module to advance. i really appreciate it guys. i would never throw my baby off a cliff by the way. im just really frustrated with shops saying that theres nothing wrong with her. thanks again ill post results soon.

 

[chris91]

I wouldnt waste your money on a code reader for a obd1 car. You can do it yourself with a paperclip or wire. All you do is watch how many times the CEL blinks. I have a spare TFI module you can have if you want it. It came from a Fox but it should work. Only differences are the Fox style are mounted to the distributor and yours isnt. Pretty sure the plugs are the same. If you want it pm me your address and Ill send it to ya. I have no need for it anymore. That way you're not wasting money throwing parts at it. Here are links to doing the self check on the CEL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztz7mfDs45k

Codes-
http://www.extreme-check-engine-light-codes.com/Ford OBD1 Decoder.htm

 

[rz5.0]

No the plug are not the same.. How is counting flashes better than just reading them off a digital screen??

 

[CC'S95GT]

How is counting flashes better than just reading them off a digital screen??

ya get to keep $30 in your pocket. duh

 

[chris91]

I mean I know I like to just blow money.

You sure about the plugs being different as well??? I know they can be wired to work. Itll definitely plug in the one side.

Hmmm seems as though Accel and Mallory says the TFI from 83-95 is the same. From the picture I know the one I have is identical to it. Either way, if you can use it you can have it for free.... If it wont work, throw it in the garbage for all I care....

http://www.jegs.com/i/Accel/110/35369/10002/-1

 

[RichV]

Where are you guys seeing the code readers for $30? The cheapies at my parts stores are still $60+.

The code reader is nice, takes like 30 seconds and no counting is involved. You can eat ramen noodles everyday and save $ too, but I don't!

 

[chris91]

Either way you're saving that money. You guys act like its so much more work manually checking them. Lol Takes all of five minutes outta your precious day. With the money you save you can throw it in your tank.

 

[rz5.0]

This is were I get mine..looks like it went up to 31.99
http://m.oreillyauto.com/mt/www.ore...Search_obd+scanner_-1_566&keyword=obd+scanner

 

[rz5.0]

I'm positive about the plug on the tfi.. The fox has connectors on top were it goes on to the distributor then it has the ones on the side for the harness.. The 94 95 only have the ones on the side for the harness.. And comes with the hear sink the fox don't (you have to retire the hear sink when you replace the tfi)

 

[chris91]

They will interchange. That heatsink will go on the fox style if you look at it. Like I said it'll work for what he needs which is diagnosing if that's the problem instead of buying a new one and having it no be it then he isn't out the money.

 

[rz5.0]

94_95 tfi