Car Electrical Gurus?

[slapnpop]

My 95 Taurus SHO died on the wife's way home from work yesterday (Friday). I can't get the thing running again. All systems are good except ignition. I'm getting no spark.

I replaced the Crank Position Sensor, as it's a common problem on the car. Car started right up and ran for 3 days. Died again on her Tuesday afternoon. It's like someone hit a kill switch on a bike, engine instantly quits. Now it won't start at all. It's cranking just fine. I then replaced the Cam Position Sensor (cylinder ID), no change.

Anyone have suggestions, or know of a good electrical shop in the Vancouver, WA area?

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Slap,

Have you checked the Coil module checked the coil wire on the distributor? This will cause the problems you are experiencing.

Good Luck with your solution.

 

[sin_loki]

i start looking at the main wire harness, from the ECU forward. look for any rubbing in it or possible pinch point ( had an 96 that a wire broke at a bend the in the wire loom). if you have the right test equipment see if you are getting a signal from the ECU on the ignition. also one place to an semi-easy quick check is the ignition switch under the steering wheel.

and last thing, does your car have one of them dang fangled chipped keys? as the keys age they seem to become more subjective to shock to the onboard chip. had a friend that had his key "die" and his truck would turn but not start, $360 later and a new key (they have to reprogram the ECU for the new chip) it worked fine untill he hit a ditch.

 

[slapnpop]

No coil or distributor, this is a ford DIS (distributorless ignition system).

There are several sensors that feed back into the EEC (computer), then the computer sends back out to the Ignition module, then on to the coil pack, then spark plug.

EEC (computer) functioning, at least basically. I get dash and check engine light that are EEC driven. I've replaced the two main sensors that are *required* for spark. Next in line for guess-replacement would be the DIS, then the coil pack, but both of these are much more expansive items I don't want to buy on chance. I wish I had a HELM manual or the like with proper troubleshooting flow charts for the ignition system.

 

[sin_loki]

do you have or know someone with a OBD-I code reader? on the 96 (OBD-II) it help you by pointing you in the right direction. still think autozone rent these out still? the OBD-I reader has to be FORD specific for it to work right. Also look you your local junk yard, although the v8 SHO model was not build in large quantity's, the ford torass (Taurus) is pretty much dime a dozen for finding parts for.

edit: BTW how many miles does this beast have? my 96 (i sold it about 4 months ago) had 192,233 on the odo with a stock 24v v6 engine. still see that red turd around town.

 

[radman]

No check engine light I'd go with the Ign module. Especially given you've already replaced the 2 common sensors, and that it died and came back to life briefly. Coils themselves tend to give plenty of warning that death is imminent.

 

[Aasland]

Coils can be tested at auto parts stores.

I had a similar problem with an older Honda - it would run fine until it warms up, then no spark. Problem was the ignition module - when it get warm, it quit. Probably a break on the circuit board or something that expanded with heat. Replaced it, and all was great.

 

[C&C]

Taurai have been known to have bad ignition modules; the most likely culprit.