[Focus]

Here's the deal... several months ago I parked my 90 SC due to several problems I couldn't fix at the time, so it has been sitting for awhile.

Multi-problems:
Let me start from the beginning.... it all began with a problem starting which I first thought was the battery and replaced it. But it continued to be a problem. It was like it would only hit on every sixth try or so... several concluded that it must be either the cam and/or crank sensors. Then, 70 miles outside of town it started running rough and bogged down, diminished power. We ran a code which said was the bypass valve on the charger and also found a crack in the hose connecting the CAI tube. We duck taped that and disconnected the belt on the charger to get her home. At the time I couldn't fix, and parked it, but it has been awhile since I've tried starting again.

So she needed a jump and now has a new problem... I cranked and cranked, she'll turn over but not start. Almost seemed like the accelerator wasn't connected... every other time it would act like it wanted to start but couldn't rev it up to take hold. Then just by accident I held the ignition switch forward while starting and she started right up... let go and she'd die. Had to hold it just right, any further forward and the starter would re-engadge, any less and she'd die. Held in this position she seemed to idle fine and would accept acceleration. This one has me baffled. Can't hold the ignition, steer and shift gears to get her to the shop. Perhaps the battery hasn't charged enough or the altenator has gone bad? I know the battery does some weird things when it has lost charge.

Any thoughts?

 

[joker77_2005]

put in a new ignition switch,it is the switch down on the colem that has all the thicker gauge wires going to it

 

[rbrown]

I didn't know you had a SC.

Definitely check the switch. It is possible the tumbler has become worn too.

 

[sc0tty8]

Crank sensor.

You said it was loosing power and didn't want to start?

You need a set of ignition wrenches and some patience.

Its a *****, trust me.

 

[Focus]

I didn't know you had a SC.

Definitely check the switch. It is possible the tumbler has become worn too.

Yep, I bought it from a guy down in your neck of the woods... Houston, back in 2004. But an uninsured idiot redesigned my passenger side, so I haven't driven it much, especially with the little items that went out when I parked it.

Crank sensor.

You said it was loosing power and didn't want to start?

You need a set of ignition wrenches and some patience.

Its a *****, trust me.

Any idea if there are any walk-through instructions on the crank sensor replacement anywhere?

Also any info on repairing the bypass valve on the supercharger?

 

[sc0tty8]

Check sccoa for crank sensor. take your time.

 

[Vernon C]

Focus you bought that car from my brother. It pissed me off because I had given him many of the parts on it and spent some time working on it with him then he sold it without asking if I wanted them back. Oh well, that's life.

There's something fishy about the by-pass code. I've only seen that device on'89 AOD equiped SC's. They have a vacuum solenoid that can dump boost at top speed to save the O/D band. Your SC doesn't have that valve. Post the code #.

It's probably all the ignition switch but it could also be cam sensor. I doubt it though because I didn't allow my brother to start souping the car up until they were replaced to avoid fustration. If the cam sensor looks new it is. He had two SC's so make sure it's fresh. He may have snuck it by me.

Vernon

 

[Focus]

Thanks Vernon, I kinda felt there was some tension between you and your brother back when I bought the car, but I had no idea why...

I haven't pulled the codes again since I first started having the starting problems... then it was 82 and 84.... this ignition switch thing is totally new since we jumped the battery. But it makes sense because while holding the switch in a starting position it runs and started fine... let go and it dies. Any idea how much an ignition switch is?

Bypass valve code... since this car has the 5 spd swap, it wouldn't still have that device?

 

[Vernon C]

I've never saw one in person. Only in '89 wiring diagrams. That's why I'm thinking there's something else at play here. I'll look up those codes.

 

[Focus]

Well, that solved one problem... when I removed the column cover, pieces of ignition switch fell out on the floorboard. I was able to get it back together well enough to get the car to the shop... tape fell with it, so I assume it was a problem before... it's all zip tied now.

Still no brake lights... so can't get the inspection sticker yet.

And when first started it doesn't want to idle enough to stay running without using the accelerator. After awhile it will start to maintain enough rpm's to idle on it's own, but it doesn't idle very smooth until it's been running for awhile.

 

[speed95]

Still no brake lights... so can't get the inspection sticker yet..

Did you check the little switch behind the brake petal?

And when first started it doesn't want to idle enough to stay running without using the accelerator. After awhile it will start to maintain enough rpm's to idle on it's own, but it doesn't idle very smooth until it's been running for awhile.

Mine was doing that a week ago. Some of the guys told me to check the IAC. Dont know if thats the same problem that you are having.

 

[Focus]

Yeah, that switch was my first thought...

Well, the hose connecting the CAI tube needs to be replaced, it's pretty well shot... I just have to find another somewhere...