I was heading to work at 6 am this morning when i hit a small pot hole and everything went off then came back on but the engine won't start. I've tryed the cut off switch and nothing and the pump isn't comeing on and if i don't get this fixed i'm putting this car out of its misery, I never had half as many problems with my Oldsmobile and i got better gas mileage. So has anyone had this problem?

I took a look at it with a meter and i seem to be getting no voltage to the fuel cut off or pump.

you obviuosly have a loose connection somewhere. cant really help u on this one as you will have to check all the wiring grounds and power supplies. check your battery as well. the shock from the pot hole could have damaged the battery. shock is the number 1 killer of batterys. if you put it out of its misery i have a 1999 taurus for sale. special price for you will be 2000.00 lol

Ok i've got no power comeing from the ecm module i think it is to the pump, I connected the pump to a battery and got it to run but the engine wouldn't start, Does that give anyone an idea on what it could be?

Ok i've got no power comeing from the ecm module i think it is to the pump, I connected the pump to a battery and got it to run but the engine wouldn't start, Does that give anyone an idea on what it could be?

I would test for voltage at the ECC relay and the Fuel pump relay. I can't tell you where they are, but most ECC-IV systems from that era are essentially the same. You can scan the codes, if you don't have any (literally none, no faults = 11s), then the ECU is probably not getting any power. The bump might have damaged something in a relay, but you will need to poke around a little. You might have also distrubed a ground somewhere.. I would most certainly make sure the ECC is powered.

Pete

I would test for voltage at the ECC relay and the Fuel pump relay. I can't tell you where they are, but most ECC-IV systems from that era are essentially the same. You can scan the codes, if you don't have any (literally none, no faults = 11s), then the ECU is probably not getting any power. The bump might have damaged something in a relay, but you will need to poke around a little. You might have also distrubed a ground somewhere.. I would most certainly make sure the ECC is powered.

Pete

where/what is the ECC and the ECU, i'm not too good with electrical i have my dad help me with all that.

where/what is the ECC and the ECU, i'm not too good with electrical i have my dad help me with all that.

Sorry, the ECC and ECU are the same thing. It's the computer that controls all the engine sensors, fuel injectors, timing, etc. No power to the computer = no run.

Pete

Sorry, the ECC and ECU are the same thing. It's the computer that controls all the engine sensors, fuel injectors, timing, etc. No power to the computer = no run.

Pete


I've pulled out what i think is the computer, It sits behind the glove box and the connector for it comes through thr fire wall.

I've pulled out what i think is the computer, It sits behind the glove box and the connector for it comes through thr fire wall.

Hahaha, why? :lol: You can't tell if the ECU is bad setting in front of you. You have to test it while it's in the car. Make sure to reattach the ground from the ECU to where ever it went. My 88 Ranger ECU is in the passenger side kick panel, I have no idea on an 88 Taurus. Also be very very very very very very *very* careful not to damage the wiring harness.

http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/

If it's not getting powered, you may need to get an Electrical/Vacuum diagram book from Helm INC. You will need to follow where the power source is from and figure out why you're not getting any power. Eletrical problems are the worst.

Pete

Hahaha, why? :lol: You can't tell if the ECU is bad setting in front of you. You have to test it while it's in the car. Make sure to reattach the ground from the ECU to where ever it went. My 88 Ranger ECU is in the passenger side kick panel, I have no idea on an 88 Taurus. Also be very very very very very very *very* careful not to damage the wiring harness.

http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/

If it's not getting powered, you may need to get an Electrical/Vacuum diagram book from Helm INC. You will need to follow where the power source is from and figure out why you're not getting any power. Eletrical problems are the worst.

Pete


Local scrap yard wants 40$ for a new ECU, i was just gonna replace that and see if it starts and if not...well i have an extra ECU.

I give up, i have never owned a ford thats has been a decent automobile and i got this to prove myself wrong and that ford really did make good cars but i have proved myself right. i got 800.00 into this piece of junk and nothing to show for it.

you need to relax and tell yourself it is just a car. i know you hate ford right now but i hate to break the news to you. all cars are junk. they are going to break down. when you turn the ignition to the run postion (not start) do u see a "check engine light" icon on the dash gauges? if this icon is not on that means your ecm is not powered up or not working. you are going to need a wiring schematic from here on.

you need to relax and tell yourself it is just a car. i know you hate ford right now but i hate to break the news to you. all cars are junk. they are going to break down. when you turn the ignition to the run postion (not start) do u see a "check engine light" icon on the dash gauges? if this icon is not on that means your ecm is not powered up or not working. you are going to need a wiring schematic from here on.

Now that i've calmed down, I replaced the ecu module and whatever that module is that sits over the radiator fan and still no start. I've just had a bad week and now haveing no car isn't helping much.

did u do what i have asked you to do in my previous post?

did u do what i have asked you to do in my previous post?

I'm getting no check engine light, So i realised i changed the ecu with the battery connected so i may have blown the new one as well.

not in all cases. at least we know your ecm is not being powered up. do u have a detailed wiring diagram? a haynes and chilton manuals have wiring diagrams for the engine control system. look at the diagram and find the fuse/s and relay's that power up the ecm. do u know how to read wiring diagrams? do u know how to test relays? do u have a multimeter?

not in all cases. at least we know your ecm is not being powered up. do u have a detailed wiring diagram? a haynes and chilton manuals have wiring diagrams for the engine control system. look at the diagram and find the fuse/s and relay's that power up the ecm. do u know how to read wiring diagrams? do u know how to test relays? do u have a multimeter?

My father has been giveing me a hand with all the wireing diagrams and we couldn't get any codes off the ecu so he wants me to try and get another ecu and hook it up with the battery off and see if it'll work.

your not going ot get any codes if the ecm is not powering up. all your going to get is a connection error or unable to communicate error from the scan tool.

Does anyone know if this year has a fuse box under the hood and if so where is it located, And where are all these relays at cause i've looked everywhere and i'm getting nowhere.

you should have fuses and relays under the dash or fuses next to the dash (in door jam). you should also have fuses and relays in the engine compartment. did you get a chiltons or haynes manual yet? it will tell you where they are.

you should have fuses and relays under the dash or fuses next to the dash (in door jam). you should also have fuses and relays in the engine compartment. did you get a chiltons or haynes manual yet? it will tell you where they are.

Manuals are no help, i need someone who owns/owned one of there cars and and can tell me right where to look.

Ok, so i got the car running by repaceing a fues in the one of the lines near the starter relay and i got it on the freeway and it does the same thing all over again just dies on me, This time i can't get the starter to engage and i'm at the end of my rope here. Anyone have any ideas on what the problem may be before i call the tow truck.

Hi Jim,
You can't just go about throwing parts at it. I'd take it to someone that understands troubleshooting or you'll go nuts. They're complex cars. I was going to mention the realy set under the radiator cover - classic no-start part but other testing needs to be done first and a wiring diagram and meter are necessities.
Marc/GA
former 88 Wagon owner