Totally baffeled

[davelouise]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I have been reading all of the posts and thought I would submit my own question in hope someone out there can help me.

I have a 1987 Thunderbird that is driving me crazy. The problem is that it dies when it is running. I have replaced the coil, the alternator, the battery, and the ignition switch. I checked for spark and sometimes there is spark and sometimes not. The car won't start until I cross the first wire (yellow wire) on the ignition harness to the last wire on the ignition harness using a test light and turning the key. The car will start only to die a short time later, sometimes driving a half a minute or a half of an hour. Anybody have any suggestions on what it could be. Thanks in advance.

Dave

[flewthecoupe]

2 questions.

1. Did you replace the ignition switch or the igntion cylinder?

2. Does it die when at idle, when you are driving, or it doesn't matter?

Michael

[davelouise]

Answers...

#1. I replaced the ignition switch.

#2. It doesn't matter.

Thanks, Dave

[wrs]

Starting and running could be two separate issues. If it starts but doesn't continue to run, you're halfway there. After replacement of the ignition switch, does it start?
If it does start (but not continue to run), you might consider whether there is a fuel-supply problem.
On one of my cars, I had a problem that it would drive well while in town, but as soon as I went above 45 mph on the open highway, the engine would start to die until the car got to about 35 mph. When I mentioned it to my brother, an ace mechanic, he said "change the fuel filter."
It was the fuel filter.

Good luck.
Bill

[fordforlife]

Originally Posted by wrs

On one of my cars, I had a problem that it would drive well while in town, but as soon as I went above 45 mph on the open highway, the engine would start to die until the car got to about 35 mph. When I mentioned it to my brother, an ace mechanic, he said "change the fuel filter."

i had a similar problem, except with rpm,it wouldnt go above about 2100, and it was the fuel pump itself, i just went to a shop and they checked my fuel pressure for free. hope it helps

[hammrhead35]

fuel problem sounds loggical. does it have one of those ignition module boxes on it? its a box about 5" by 3" with two bundles of wires coming out side by side with plugs about 6" out. im not as familiar with the 87 stuff but if its got one ,these boxes will do funny things

[88v85LT-bird]

I had a similar problem when i was t-boned by a camry. you may want to check your impact switch and reset that just incase because it likes to turn the fuel pump off... that's what it's made for.

[flewthecoupe]

The inertia switch is a go/no go switch. If it was tripped, no fuel and no start. What has me clueless is the whole short yellow wire to this wire statement.