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Weird Stang problems
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Posted by: Tang

Ok, here goes, I already asked Grape about this, but I'll go ahead and post it too.

When I turn the switch on, my facotry tach hand goes up to 3000rpms, before you even turn the starter, with the car running its at about 3500, and when you rev it, it dont move until my other tach gets to around 3500 itself then the factory will go to 4000, but no further.

Also, at 2000rpms in 4th gear, the car cuts out, like you just killed the ignition. But only 2000 in 4th, I guess thats the right spot.

Now all this got started when my strange problem started. You might go out one day, turn the switch on, everythign runs normal, then go to hit the starter and "click" everything goes out. Its like something shorts out big time, because there is only .5 volts on the wire at the starter. That can be gotten around, you pull the switch wire off the top relay, and stick 12volts on that prong from the battery post, that will make the starter turn the motor. Once the motor turns, you can put the switch wire back and start it from inside again. All is back to normal. We have a family friend that is like a 20+ year Ford head technician at a dealership and he has no clue what it is.

Could it just be the internals of my 185k mile distributor need rebuilding ? Yes, done replaced the ignition module, that was the first thing I did.

Posted by: VETTKLR

What year is this car? Stock Ignition, I guess?

What about the TFI module?

That starting problem reminds me of a starter solenoid that gave me problems in an old '87 F-150, but I guess that tech has already replaced that.

Posted by: Tang

'92 GT. I replaced the whole starter, and it started ok for awhile, but then after sitting for about 2 months it started again.

By the TFI, do you mean the ignition module on the side of the dist. ? Thats the first thing I swapped out.

and yeap, stock ignition.

Posted by: RacingJason

Change your ignition switch and then if you still have issues put in a GOOD TFI module. (Ford or quality aftermarket)

Posted by: Tang

I was wondering if it was the inside switch. The TFI module I used came from Autozone..lol so it isnt the best, But why would my switch be causing my factory tach to go crazy ?

Posted by: Grape Ape

Your ignition switch has several things wired to it(some 30 wires), including a connection that would lead to the tach, albeit through the ECM(I've never looked to see if it's direct or not, but I kinda doubt it since the backing of the dash is covered in an electronic pad). If the switch is shorted, that could effect everything electrically operated. That's why I thought it was a good idea to replace it.

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