Stalling after a long drive?...any ideas

[hamonkeiser]

A strange issue just started with my Stang. After a long drive (about an hour or so) if I shut the car off, I cannot restart it unil after it has cooled off for a while (say 30 to 45 minutes). It doesn't happen on short distance drives only if I've been driving for a while. No signs of a problem while driving. The car runs fine, idles fine in traffic, temp is usually between 185 & 205. It just won't restart without stalling until the car has some time to sit.

I'm thinking maybe vapor lock?? Any ideas on what it could be & how to correct it

 

[1992mustangLX]

So the car will crank over fine but will not restart? Or does it just "click" as though it has a low battery? Im not saying thats what it is just want to clarify exactly what is happening.

 

[hamonkeiser]

So the car will crank over fine but will not restart? Or does it just "click" as though it has a low battery? Im not saying thats what it is just want to clarify exactly what is happening.

It will crank, start, idle rough, put it in gear & it stalls. Let it sit for a while & it start up like there was no problem.

 

[Mr. Rustypwnz]

tfi module, is a strong possibility.. is it busting up in the higher rpms?

 

[hamonkeiser]

tfi module, is a strong possibility.. is it busting up in the higher rpms?

No problems in the higher rpms.....like I said, the car runs perfectly normal on the highway & while idling in traffic & it'll take off like a raped ape when you get on it even after driving it for over an hour. As long as I don't shut it off. It's only after shutting it down after the long drive that it has a problem.

 

[2000xp8]

Heat related issues are the tfi module and the coil alot of times.

 

[93 LX]

+1 TFI,

 

[hamonkeiser]

How do I check to see if it's the TFI?

 

[jrichker]

See the "Surging Idle Checklist for help with all your idle/stall problems. The first two posts contain all the updates to the fixes. At last count there were 24 possible causes and fixes] for surging idle/stall problems. I continue to update it as more people post fixes or ask questions.

 

[BStevens]

good thing im not the only one who is having this problem... i figured it was something related to this so i went out and spent some money on a MSD dizzy, coil & 6A box...

hopefully this fixes my issue too

 

[93 LX]

seems like a ton of money when all it would take is 40 bucks to replace the TFI.

 

[BStevens]

seems like a ton of money when all it would take is 40 bucks to replace the TFI.

I figured I might as well do it sooner or later.

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[jtfairlane]

seems like a ton of money when all it would take is 40 bucks to replace the TFI.

Especially since MSD uses new OEM Ford TFI modules on their distributors. Don't let the MSD sticker on the TFI module fool you.

 

[93 LX]

Maybe so but its a whole lot easier to install that when the car is running fine then installing it on a car thats not running ok.

 

[BStevens]

I got a good deal on all of them anyways. The Coil & Dizzy were new in the box and the MSD 6A was used... It was all on craigslist, this guy locally needed some money real quick.

But it seemed to fix the issue. It was one of those deals that you cant pass up.

 

[ernie5771]

Had similar problem but had to wait longer (a few hours) before it will restart.

My cause was the 'hall-effect' pickup inside the distributor rather than the ignition module. From stone cold it takes a while before engine heat warms up the inside of the distributor.

To troubleshoot I used those aerosol cans of air, "Dust Off", inverted the can so it would shoot near liquid out which immediately freezes whatever it was sprayed on. Did that to the distributor inside, started right away.