1985 Ford Tempo possible fuel problem

I have a 85 tempo GL 5 speed. I was driving to work the other morning, I let it warm up for about 2 minutes before I left. I shifted into third gear about 40mph and the car just died. It did not hesitate, or sputter like it was out of gas, it just died. To be on the safe side, I put a couple of gallons of gas in and tried to start it up again. It started up after about 30 seconds of cranking and idled fine but it smelled like it was running a little rich (I figured it was kind of flooded from trying to start it). I drove it about a mile, and with a full tank of gas, did the same thing it did earlier in the morning. I restarted it just fine, and it died again right after I shifted it into third. Then, it wouldn't start again. I figured it was the fuel pump, but I can hear the pump turn on when I turn the key. The car cost me $280 so I really don't want to put much money into it, so I was hoping to have some help troubleshooting it. I was thinking of relays, regulator, filter, etc. Anyone provide any help, I have the Chilton/Haynes on order but would like to get it fixed ASAP. Thanks in advance.

Chris Briggs

Forgot to add, its a 2.3L, front wheel drive, non carbureted

I am tired and drawing a blank at the moment.

Go ahead and change the fuel filter if you suspect it, it probably needs to be done anyways.


Are you feeling any misses in the engine firing or transmission gears?
Is the transmission fighting you or is the clutch feeling spongy?
Is there any grinding in the gears?
Are you shifting early and causing the engine to die out on you?


Do you have a tach?

RPM @ Neutral:
RPM @ Coast:
RPM @ 1st:
RPM @ 2nd:
RPM @ 3rd:
RPM @ 10mph:
RPM @ 15mph:
RPM @ 25mph:
RPM @ 35mph:
RPM @ 40mph:

And check the following:
Transmission fluid level and quality
Fuel Pressure at the engine

Without doing a lot of thinking I am leaning towards either a bad transmission filter or faulty transmission/clutch.

I checked the fuel filter, there is no problem with it. I can blow through it very easily. I turned the car over with the fuel line disconnected and plenty of fuel came out. The car won't start now. I was thinking maybe there was no spark. The plugs, wires, cap look brand new. What is the best way to check for spark.

By the way, the tranny cycles smoothly and the fluid level is fine. The car won't even start anymore, so I think I can rule the tranny out. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Chris

I have a 85 tempo GL 5 speed. I was driving to work the other morning, I let it warm up for about 2 minutes before I left. I shifted into third gear about 40mph and the car just died. It did not hesitate, or sputter like it was out of gas, it just died. To be on the safe side, I put a couple of gallons of gas in and tried to start it up again. It started up after about 30 seconds of cranking and idled fine but it smelled like it was running a little rich (I figured it was kind of flooded from trying to start it). I drove it about a mile, and with a full tank of gas, did the same thing it did earlier in the morning. I restarted it just fine, and it died again right after I shifted it into third. Then, it wouldn't start again. I figured it was the fuel pump, but I can hear the pump turn on when I turn the key. The car cost me $280 so I really don't want to put much money into it, so I was hoping to have some help troubleshooting it. I was thinking of relays, regulator, filter, etc. Anyone provide any help, I have the Chilton/Haynes on order but would like to get it fixed ASAP. Thanks in advance.

Chris Briggs

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=603844

I had a similar problem. I had plenty of gas I thought when I pulled off the line. Problem was I didn't have enough.

I guess that guy did not read you had a 5-speed. You don't have tranny fluid you have gear oil. Also you have no tranny filter. Your transmission is not causing this. First it is a 1985 it has no eletronics on it to signal the engine to die. The other gears run fine then it did not stop the engine. Besides if it did you would know there would be alot of gear grinding and other such noises. Can you shift into 3rd at other speeds. How high is the idle at 40 low med or high. Use your opinion. Your fuel filter would cause the car to act like it was running out of gas, that is not it either. Can you give more details. Miles on car, etc. other symptoms. cold or hot outside. Temp of car at time, etc.

I guess that guy did not read you had a 5-speed. You don't have tranny fluid you have gear oil. .

Yes, he COULD have tranny fluid.

Some sticks use tranny fluid instead of gear oil. Ford / Saginaw SR/4 4-speed uses tranny fluid - not gear oil. Some others I've heard also use tranny fluid, and not gear oil...:nono:

Come to find out it was a bad TFI module. All the research I had done said if the TFI module was bad, it wouldn't run at all. Thanks for all the help.

Thanks for the advice, it was the TFI module. $35 at auto zone.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=603844