Hello all you other 2.3 mustangers! I've got a thorny problem and I need some help with this one, as I'm all out of good, poor, and crazy ideas.
I have an '89 stang with the single plug head and TFI distributor. I have converted to the high-amp alternator. While adjusting the timing belt, I slipped, and my pry-bar contacted the pully of the alternator, which for some reason was energized (ignition off, key out, but I didn't disconnect the battery). This resulted in an arc/spark. I don't know if that contributed to my problem or not, but since that time, I do not seem to have any spark at all. The engine started and ran poorly before, (which is why I was rechecking my cam timing in the first place ) but not since. My engine spins just fine, but no fire in the cyls. The darned thing smells like it is flooding, but I thought that was impossible with fuel injection...
Here is what I've done so far: Checked static timing, checked the distributor cap and wires, changed spark plugs with an alternate set, changed the coil, and I just replaced both the ignition module and the pick-up inside the distributor. I've run a hot wire between the positive side of the battery and the positive side of the primary on the coil, too. So far, nothing helps. Not a cough, not a sputter, just the sound of the starter turning the engine. I'm unemployed and I can't afford to keep throwing money at this thing.
So please, if you know of any other reason that I might not be getting spark to the plugs, please let me know your thoughts. Is there some sort of fusable link somewhere that I'm not aware of? Is there a fuse I should check? Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. I really need to get this car back on the road as soon as I can, with as little expense as possible.
a very frustrated and puzzled - md89stang
I have an '89 stang with the single plug head and TFI distributor. I have converted to the high-amp alternator. While adjusting the timing belt, I slipped, and my pry-bar contacted the pully of the alternator, which for some reason was energized (ignition off, key out, but I didn't disconnect the battery). This resulted in an arc/spark. I don't know if that contributed to my problem or not, but since that time, I do not seem to have any spark at all. The engine started and ran poorly before, (which is why I was rechecking my cam timing in the first place ) but not since. My engine spins just fine, but no fire in the cyls. The darned thing smells like it is flooding, but I thought that was impossible with fuel injection...
Here is what I've done so far: Checked static timing, checked the distributor cap and wires, changed spark plugs with an alternate set, changed the coil, and I just replaced both the ignition module and the pick-up inside the distributor. I've run a hot wire between the positive side of the battery and the positive side of the primary on the coil, too. So far, nothing helps. Not a cough, not a sputter, just the sound of the starter turning the engine. I'm unemployed and I can't afford to keep throwing money at this thing.
So please, if you know of any other reason that I might not be getting spark to the plugs, please let me know your thoughts. Is there some sort of fusable link somewhere that I'm not aware of? Is there a fuse I should check? Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. I really need to get this car back on the road as soon as I can, with as little expense as possible.
a very frustrated and puzzled - md89stang