1986 ford tempo (no spark)-sudden loss of power

[Tony&Delfina]

We have a 1986 Ford Tempo with 320,000km on it with a carburetor (not fuel injected). No doubt it has been reliable until now. During the last month we have been experiencing a sudden loss of power (no spark). We always had the usual problem with it overfueling (stalling) at stoplights and such, but this is new. We have replaced the ignition coil, spark plug wires and finally the ignition switch. The spark plugs show a good clean spark when the car is running. The car battery is 3 years old and appears to be showing no problems. After the ignition switch replacement we thought we had it solved. For one week during a recent cold snap of weather no problem surfaced. As soon as warmer weather arrived the problem returned. We thought it might be the TFI module but our car has the ignition control module on the firewall. Is it possible that we have both a TFI (remote, as we cannot find it on the distributor) and an ignition control module? Where would a remote TFI be located with this vehicle, if we have one?
If we don't, is the solution to replace the ignition control module on the firewall or should we look somewhere else?

[BigCheech]

no TFI on a 86 with a carb:smoker2:

[daytonaes93]

not posative if that car has one but check the cam sensor and the crank sensor

[DaGr8Tim]

The Tempo never had a crank sensor like modern cars. Only the 92-94's had a crank sensor.

Check the idle control motor. Are there any engine codes?

[slickest]

Originally Posted by Tony&Delfina

We have a 1986 Ford Tempo with 320,000km on it with a carburetor (not fuel injected). No doubt it has been reliable until now. During the last month we have been experiencing a sudden loss of power (no spark). We always had the usual problem with it overfueling (stalling) at stoplights and such, but this is new. We have replaced the ignition coil, spark plug wires and finally the ignition switch. The spark plugs show a good clean spark when the car is running. The car battery is 3 years old and appears to be showing no problems. After the ignition switch replacement we thought we had it solved. For one week during a recent cold snap of weather no problem surfaced. As soon as warmer weather arrived the problem returned. We thought it might be the TFI module but our car has the ignition control module on the firewall. Is it possible that we have both a TFI (remote, as we cannot find it on the distributor) and an ignition control module? Where would a remote TFI be located with this vehicle, if we have one?
If we don't, is the solution to replace the ignition control module on the firewall or should we look somewhere else?

My 86 Tempo has the same setup and the same problem. Did you ever fugure out what it was?

thanks

larry

[email protected]

[89ltd]

pickup coil in distributor...

[UnexplodedCow]

Hmmm, carb on an '86? They were never spec'd to have those after their first year, '84. Custom job, or just a mistake? And the above people are right, an '86 doesn't have a crank sensor. It's got mechanical ignition, and a map sensor style engine. Nothing major. I had a dead '86 in my yard for parts.