My TC runs like crap when cold...

[jgrimes22]

hey guys. need some help. just traded my eldorado for a 1989 town car. however, it isn't well. it runs terrible for about ten minutes when the engine is cold. here is all the stuff i replaced or checked and found operational:
distributor (new), TFI module (new) IAT and coolant temp sensor (new), spark plugs (new), wires (good), cap/rotor (good), IAC valve (good, does the same thing off-idle), EGR valve, fuel filter (new), fuel pressure regulator (new, brought the fuel pressure from 15 to 35psi at idle), TPS (new), PCV valve (good), Vaccum lines (no leaks), reset minimum idle, reset base timing.
What the crap is wrong with my car? when i disconnect the SPOUT connector, it runs great at base timing. when i reinstall the spout connector, it idles erratically. the timing goes from base to about 40 degrees BTDC until the motor almost stalls, then it comes back and does it again every couple seconds. it won't even idle by itself anymore, i have to keep my foot on the gas until it figures out whats up. Am i looking at a computer? it's not throwing codes for the keep alive memory. thanks.

 

[thamarkman]

Damn, seems like you've replaced almost everything. Have you checked your MAP sensor?

Good luck. let us know how it goes.

 

[MAC1]

Did you clean all the barnacles off the spout connector? Why would you trade a Cadillac for 1989 Town yacht. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Is the EGR valve clean and functioning properly. If it’s stuck open you may be losing vacuum cause the iratice Idle. I thought after the insult, I would try something a bit more constructive.

Good Luck!

 

[Sergmark]

You might check the 02 sensors on the exhaust. I'm not sure what the symptoms would be though.

 

[jgrimes22]

Thanks for the ideas. the map sensor sounds like a really good thing to check. my haynes says that it controls fuel delivery and timing. O2 sensors only control fuel delivery, and since the timing is wack, i'll wait to check those. unfortunately, i don't have a frequency counter or a vacuum pump to check it so i'll probably replace it when i get paid tomorrow. Hope it works.

And the town car is a way better car than the caddy. i looked at tons of caddys before i found the town car. i was actually going to buy a fleetwood, but when i went to pick it up, they found it had a blown head gasket. i offered the guy what i was going to buy the cadillac for, (the lincoln was twice as much) and he agreed.
this car kicks ass. i've never had a car with a more comfortable ride. the acceleration is better than i thought it would be for a car that big. and the front end just looks sweet.

 

[jgrimes22]

still not it..

i checked the MAP sensor today, it shows a rock solid 159HZ here at sea level, and about 100HZ at idle. that's within specs.
the problem has changed a little bit, now it runs good for about 2-3 minutes after start-up before it starts to stumble. it's also starting to backfire in the exhaust a little bit.
please help!!

 

[KainDTE]

Did you clean all the barnacles off the spout connector? Why would you trade a Cadillac for 1989 Town yacht. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Cause lincolns ride better than caddys? lol

 

[jgrimes22]

it's not fixed yet

i changed the ECU yesterday. didn't fix it. any ideas?

 

[KainDTE]

i changed the ECU yesterday. didn't fix it. any ideas?

how much money have you put into the car now trying to fix the problem? cause it seems like youve tried everything and nothing is working

 

[gadget73]

Since nobody mentioned it yet, what does a code reader tell you?

 

[jgrimes22]

Finally

I finally got it! The spark output wire from the computer was bad about one inch behind the ignition module connector. It looked fine, and checked good with a meter for open circuit and short to ground. but if you twisted it just right, the engine would stumble. i finally figured it out by hooking up an o-scope and comparing the ignition pickup pulses to the spark out pulses. the spark out line was missing pulses occasionally, causing the coil not to fire.
a trip to the junkyard and twenty bucks bought me some new wire, and i rebuilt the harness. it's great. my car runs smooth again.

 

[KainDTE]

runs smooth? probably runs like it did when it first came off the line with all the stuff you did too it lol

 

[MYTAXI]

"a trip to the junkyard and twenty bucks"

:Bang :invasion:

LOL dude!
I retired a '94 Exec...Put 'er out to pasture...She served me well. 750,000Km On Original Engine. Still runs today. She always started rough when she was cold except on hot days.

My 2000 Sig. Series has the same problem...
440,000Km so far. All kinds of Problems....
Gem Module.....Try to find one of those at a Junk Yard.
Hinge Pins Like crazy
Air springs like crazy
Some other revelations to expose on new threads...

Keep on Truckin' man....'89? Maybe it's time to update?
I am looking for the right price on an Executive L-Series.
Dey 'Da Bomb man!
Total luxury and an extra 6 inches.....

All the Ladies know that extra 6 inches make all the difference! :dancefool