Starting problems

September 24, 2008, 01:35:54 PM

What a piece of doo doo.

I am so sick and tired of fixing my daughter's Tbird.

Last spring it failed smog. Became a gross polluter and ended up being a leaky vacuum line. The big one on the back of the CFI.

About a month ago the fuel pump quit. Changed that and of course the rotted grommet for the fill tube fell apart.

Then a couple of weeks ago it started no wanting to start. I changed the fuel filter that I should have changed along with the new fuel pump.

Fixed!:D For five days. Last evening it wouldn't start. So I fiddled with the TPS connector and it started right up. So I cleaned the connector and then it would start but not run.

AAARRRRGGGG! I found out that the ignition switch had fallen apart. This must be the problem. So I fixed it back together until I can get a new one today.

Then the brake lights don't work consistantly. With bifocals I can't get a good look at the switch on the brake pedal. I can't get both my head and hands in there at the same time so I'll have to pull the driver's seat to work on it.

I've had no luck with old Tbirds and Cougars at all. None. Transmissions, engines, switches gaskets etc.

One old car is enough. Four is just too stressfull.

I'll talk my wife into a new car for her and give the 92 tbird to my daughter and finally get rid of the 86 bird. I just can't take it anymore. If the engine blew up it would be better than all this nickel dime .

Thanks for letting me vent.:bangford:

Starting problems

Reply #1 – September 26, 2008, 01:09:21 AM

Look
I remember your thread about the emissions issue, you got screwed by a shop that was more interested in how deep your pocket was.

Your car is falling apart in your opinion. THere is an infinate amount of opportunities for you to post for help, and even phone numbers of people you can call if you need help.

If a few nickles or dimes a month is worse than a car payment with full coverage ins, the so be it.

Crush it and be done.

Your not troubleshooting correctly jumping right to the tps because of a no start problem. If you dont have time to gather the free materials available to you on each and every wire in your car, pulling codes and things like that, this is understandable. Many people do not have time to do this at all and should only have a car like this as a hobby , not a daily driver.

You could set aside 200 dollars a month on parts that are aged but not broke and set them up as spare while going through and installing new parts. Along the way , learning what the parts importance are and also gathering knowledge along the way.

A whole bunch of things can be done and not spend a dime. It might sound trivial but how about inspecting things?. How about peeling back all the wire loom cover going to the vacuum solenoid bank behind the coolant fill tank and trace out each fac line and where they land on either end. Also, capping off one end and sucking on the other to see if there are breaks in the lines?.
How about peeling back wire loom on the wiring from the starter solenoid on the pass side up to the alternator and inspecting discoloration of wires? How about looking at those wires and determining there is instulation melted on one wire so bad that its struck to another wire its been up against for 20years?,,sounds like a heat or over current problem. How about the charge connector on the alternator?,, How about double checking your rear tail light bulbs are not installed backwards. On those old sockets in the rear, you can actually install the double filliment bulbs in backwards and not know it causing really stupid and odd problems(
The car is 20+ years old and you cant complain. Your aftermarket parts may not last that long.

Your ignition switch should have been changed a long time ago as a standard based on recalls 15+ years ago.

The CFI system is a durable little device and there is a lot of information on it. your smog system however is never going to pass any emissions test even if it were brand new in my honest opionion. Your 3.8CFI needs every ounce of HP to burn off the fuel delivery and with the added burden of a smog, that in itself becomes a power consumpiton issue and futher increases its inefficiency. ,, but there is a solution to that as well and the smog pump can remain in place along with all the little things that make it appear its operational.

Just dig in and take er one step at a time, it will all come together. Living in CA will end up being the root cause for your old car not passing much of anything soon to come. It looks old and the state wants you out of that car and into a bank loan.

Starting problems

Reply #2 – September 27, 2008, 05:06:14 PM

Well said........