HELP! 1990 LX 5.0--DeAd

[89VertLX]

My '90 LX has been acting up. It would run fine, and then die at random. (It was as if the car was turned off....dead.) It usually started again.

I changed the fuel filter, cleaned the TPS and MAF. Well, it's still acting up.

After work today, it just refused to run. It cranks fine, and catches right away, but won't run for more than 2 seconds or so.

Now, it has an MSD ignition and coil. I've been told the TFI is bad, and that's what's acting up.

But when I was cranking on it this afternoon, I noticed that it seems like it will run as long as the starter is engaged. Once the key is released and returns to the "Run" position, it dies.

I have NO idea what's going on. Anyone have experience with this?

THANKS

 

[393strokervert]

is the MSD ign newly installed & this a problem you have had since you installed it or has it run normal with it in there? done any wiring work on it recently?
have you checked for fuel/spark & the absense of either one? fuel pump running normal?

 

[84Ttop]

is the MSD ign newly installed & this a problem you have had since you installed it or has it run normal with it in there? done any wiring work on it recently?
have you checked for fuel/spark & the absense of either one? fuel pump running normal?

good place to start, check to see ign. module is not loose or cracked, you could always remove it and have it checked to rule it out.

 

[SpartaPerformance]

After checking all the MSD parts, consider the TFI, it's a huge weak link.

 

[89VertLX]

The ignition is not new. I bought the car last summer with it installed. I have put probably 4-5k miles on it without any troubles before this. It is definitely getting spark -- I shocked the $*@# out of myself checking. I haven't checked the fuel pressure yet.

 

[RydeOn]

First things first, which is pull codes. It could be the TFI acting funny but let the PCM confirm this.

 

[393strokervert]

The ignition is not new. I bought the car last summer with it installed. I have put probably 4-5k miles on it without any troubles before this. It is definitely getting spark -- I shocked the $*@# out of myself checking. I haven't checked the fuel pressure yet.

yeah, check to make sure you are getting plenty of fuel. sounds like your pump might be going or gone. I've seen pumps that were running so weak that it would put out enough fuel to get it to hit but not enough to keep the motor running.

 

[89VertLX]

First things first, which is pull codes. It could be the TFI acting funny but let the PCM confirm this.

Ugh. I forgot to mention that.

I already pulled codes and got a code 18. I looked it up on here and saw it is a SPOUT or wiring fault, but couldn't find much information about what to do about it.

Thanks,