93' Vulcan, Want to Save this Car - Page 2 - Taurus Car Club of America : Ford Taurus Forum

sheila · 09-25-2012, 09:38 AM

TFI and PIP are common problems with this distributor engine. If you end up doing a motor swap down the road, be sure to use the original eng. harness(es) from your 93, not the donor motor.

udyra · 09-25-2012, 11:54 AM

I hear you, I just want to hear this thing, fire, pop, whatever. If so, I'll do wires, plugs, water pump & belt. The plugs looked good enought for the tests I'm running thru at the moment.

udyra · 11-20-2012, 10:32 AM

Hi, another update. I replaced the fuel pump in the tank. Pressure is now
reading 38. I put in new plugs & wires. Then my back went out, after a
month and a half, I'm back tinkering. Not a hint of trying to start, spins fine,
but no cigar. My next thought is the computer (brain box). Where is it? I haven't looked yet, heard it is behind the glovebox? and could this be the culprit? Or, should I look into the CCRM next?

Roach · 11-20-2012, 10:53 AM

Should be behind the glovebox. A little tricky to get to.

I'm not sure if it could be the culprit, but snatching one at a pull-a-part and swaping it in won't cost a bit of nothing. In most cases I've seen, they go out slowly, causing all sorts of problems, but never just die all at once.

udyra · 11-20-2012, 03:23 PM

Thank You Roach.

I want to pull the old one first to see the #'s, then hit a
boneyard as you suggested.

Jeff K · 11-20-2012, 03:49 PM

So, you replaced the TFI. Did you get a Motorcraft or the cheap junk one AZ sells? I have seen several of these pieces of AZ junk bad out of the box. The TFI is only part of the ignition system. The PIP (profile ignition pickup) in the dist is the second part of the system. PIP determines base ignition timing as well as sends RPM info to the PCM. PIP goes bad just as often as TFI does.

Here is a quick test for the PIP: Instead of listening for the fuel pump to run, use a test light between the fuel pump 12V feed at the IRCM (blue / red stripe I THINK) and ground.
Turn key to run. Light should light for 2 sec as the pump primes. Now crank engine. Light should light as long as engine is cranking is the PIP is good and sending an RPM signal to the PCM.

udyra · 01-09-2013, 07:30 AM

Hi again, sorry about the time delay. It has been a fun holiday. I had a 04'
Jag with 28K that got totalled (no one hurt). The Taurus has been on the
farthest burner back. Anyway, before the holidays, I bought the TFI from
RockAuto. I also installed a rebuilt distributor with new PIP. I don't seem to
be getting any spark now???

Bull Geek · 01-09-2013, 09:29 PM

So currently it cranks, you have fuel pressure at the rail, but no spark?

behlinla · 01-10-2013, 02:45 AM

Did you check the fuse for the ignition coil and module (10A) under the hood? Make sure you are getting power to the coil, PIP, and ICM on the red/light green wire with the key on.

udyra · 01-10-2013, 04:22 AM

I do remember trading the two when I first started investigating.
Will definitely double check. THANKS!

11-20-2012, 10:53 AM	#14 (permalink)
Roach Graphic Designer Member Number: 32683 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Concord, NC Chapter: Southeast Drives: 2000 Model SE, Vulcan V6 Visit: My Garage Posts: 1,003 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 4	Should be behind the glovebox. A little tricky to get to. I'm not sure if it could be the culprit, but snatching one at a pull-a-part and swaping it in won't cost a bit of nothing. In most cases I've seen, they go out slowly, causing all sorts of problems, but never just die all at once. __________________ Facebook \| Desktops "I'm sure there must have been a time You did not consume my mind But I still swear I don't remember" 2000 Taurus SE "Lady Hearse" 1995 Taurus SHO "Organ Donor" 1996 Thunderbird LX "Jade Phoenix"

11-20-2012, 03:49 PM	#16 (permalink)
Jeff K Technical Advisor Member Number: 11378 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Visit: My Garage Posts: 4,073 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 15	So, you replaced the TFI. Did you get a Motorcraft or the cheap junk one AZ sells? I have seen several of these pieces of AZ junk bad out of the box. The TFI is only part of the ignition system. The PIP (profile ignition pickup) in the dist is the second part of the system. PIP determines base ignition timing as well as sends RPM info to the PCM. PIP goes bad just as often as TFI does. Here is a quick test for the PIP: Instead of listening for the fuel pump to run, use a test light between the fuel pump 12V feed at the IRCM (blue / red stripe I THINK) and ground. Turn key to run. Light should light for 2 sec as the pump primes. Now crank engine. Light should light as long as engine is cranking is the PIP is good and sending an RPM signal to the PCM. __________________ 05 Taurus SEL Duratec - my daily driver 04 Taurus SES Duratec - wifes car 95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter car Toy #1 - 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner) - LOTS of mods Toy #2 - 88 Tbird Turbo Coupe - LOTS of mods 02 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized

01-09-2013, 09:29 PM	#18 (permalink)
Bull Geek Technical Advisor Member Number: 1771 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Blythewood, SC 29016 Chapter: Southeast Drives: 97 SHO Sedan, 00 SEL Sedan Visit: My Garage Posts: 15,679 Trader Score: 6 reviews Rep Power: 10	So currently it cranks, you have fuel pressure at the rail, but no spark? __________________ --Nick M. \| Blythewood, SC \| AAP/Atlanta Built Bulls -Silver Frost MC 2000 Ford Taurus SEL \| DOHC/AX4N \| 184K -Toreador Red MC 1997 Ford Taurus SHO \| DOHC/AX4N \| 149K --Wood paneled 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis LS Colony Park wagon \| OHV/AOD \| 180K ish? Sold.... --Driftwood MC 1987 Ford Taurus GL Wagon \| OHV/AXOD \| 254K - now owned by major!! Scrapped... --Sand Beige 1987 Ford Taurus GL \|197K \| OHV/AXOD

09-25-2012, 09:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
sheila Crazy Devoted Member Member Number: 10865 Join Date: Dec 2006 Visit: My Garage Posts: 9,088 Trader Score: 1 reviews Rep Power: 22	TFI and PIP are common problems with this distributor engine. If you end up doing a motor swap down the road, be sure to use the original eng. harness(es) from your 93, not the donor motor.

09-25-2012, 11:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
udyra Junior Member Member Number: 49763 Join Date: Aug 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 93' Taurus LX, 3.0 Vulcan Visit: My Garage Posts: 10 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	I hear you, I just want to hear this thing, fire, pop, whatever. If so, I'll do wires, plugs, water pump & belt. The plugs looked good enought for the tests I'm running thru at the moment.

11-20-2012, 10:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
udyra Junior Member Member Number: 49763 Join Date: Aug 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 93' Taurus LX, 3.0 Vulcan Visit: My Garage Posts: 10 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	Hi, another update. I replaced the fuel pump in the tank. Pressure is now reading 38. I put in new plugs & wires. Then my back went out, after a month and a half, I'm back tinkering. Not a hint of trying to start, spins fine, but no cigar. My next thought is the computer (brain box). Where is it? I haven't looked yet, heard it is behind the glovebox? and could this be the culprit? Or, should I look into the CCRM next?

11-20-2012, 03:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
udyra Junior Member Member Number: 49763 Join Date: Aug 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 93' Taurus LX, 3.0 Vulcan Visit: My Garage Posts: 10 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	Thank You Roach. I want to pull the old one first to see the #'s, then hit a boneyard as you suggested.

01-09-2013, 07:30 AM	#17 (permalink)
udyra Junior Member Member Number: 49763 Join Date: Aug 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 93' Taurus LX, 3.0 Vulcan Visit: My Garage Posts: 10 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	Hi again, sorry about the time delay. It has been a fun holiday. I had a 04' Jag with 28K that got totalled (no one hurt). The Taurus has been on the farthest burner back. Anyway, before the holidays, I bought the TFI from RockAuto. I also installed a rebuilt distributor with new PIP. I don't seem to be getting any spark now???

01-10-2013, 02:45 AM	#19 (permalink)
behlinla Technical Advisor Member Number: 14275 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wisconsin Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2006 Taurus SEL Visit: My Garage Posts: 5,994 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 10	Did you check the fuse for the ignition coil and module (10A) under the hood? Make sure you are getting power to the coil, PIP, and ICM on the red/light green wire with the key on.

01-10-2013, 04:22 AM	#20 (permalink)
udyra Junior Member Member Number: 49763 Join Date: Aug 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 93' Taurus LX, 3.0 Vulcan Visit: My Garage Posts: 10 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	I do remember trading the two when I first started investigating. Will definitely double check. THANKS!

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