1988 T-Bird Turbo Coupe idling problem
Gene Tilelli
The car: 1988 5-speed 4-cyl Turbo Coupe T-Bird.
I love this car but it does this annoying thing. It idles at different
levels at different times.
About half the time it idles right at 1k which is great, and the other half
it jumps all over...sometimes at 1.5k...sometimes at 2k...sometimes under 1k
and almost stalls. At first I thought it behaved differently based on the
weather, but it's not that consistent...it just plain idles differently at
different times.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Gene Tilelli
Coral Springs, FL
Sony1565162672
better luck with Wells over motorcraft for these parts. If you can replace them
yourselves it will be under $100.
Don Nebel
had a 1988 Turbo Coupe that had the same problem. The location of the
sensor (between the turbo and the engine ) causes the sensor to fail
more often than in other applications. When the intake is in a
presurized condition , this condition can force air and any
contaminanents that may be carried by the air past the throttle shaft
and into the sensor. Over a period of time the sensor will fail. If you
plan to keep this car for a long time, you will change this part again.
See your Ford dealer for the correct setting for the sensor, it is
adjustable. I think it was .92 volts, but I'm not sure. This setting
does make a difference on the cold start and idle speed. Also go thru
the computer relearn procedure ( ask your Ford dealer ). The relearn
procedure is required any time the battery is disconected. The battery
should be disconected anytime a electronic component is changed. The
oxygen sensor can fail over time . This part can be contaminated if, the
engine burns oil, the turbo is leaking oil, or octane booster is used.
The Turbo Coupe is a great car. Don
Nebel
Thunder Chicken
(TPS) adjustment procedure using a digital Volt Ohm meter (DVOM).
Turn ignition key to RUN position (do not start engine)
Adjust TPS (rotate) until DVOM reads 1.0 volt (0.9-1.1)
Tighten TPS screws to 1.2-1.8 N.m (11-16 lb-in)
While watching the DVOM, move the throttle to wide-open and back to
idle position. For proper operation, the DVOM should move from 1.0 to
at least 4.0 and back to 1.0 volt.
The Ford book says use a break out box to get to the signal wires, but
carefully inserting thin solid wire into the connector works. Be
careful not to damage it. Some people use a pin to pierce the wire,
but that sounds like it is asking for long term corrosion.
The negative wire is black with white stripe.
The positive (signal) wire is dark green with light green stripe.
The reference voltage positive is orange.
The reference voltage should be 5.0 volts (4.5-5.0)
I recommend setting idle as close to 1.0 as you can but don't exceed
1.0. i.e. 0.99 is better than 1.01
I hope that helps.
'88 T-Bird / Thunder Chicken
Steve
adjust it as soon as it gets a bit warmer here in NYC!
Because it is maladjusted now, the car is running a little rich.
Steve
On Sat, 22 Jan 2000 18:52:21 GMT, hanr...@radix.net (Thunder Chicken)
wrote:
Thunder Chicken
wire color codes changed.
'88 T-Bird / Thunder Chicken
On Sat, 22 Jan 2000 19:07:43 -0500, Steve <keym...@worldnet.att.net>
wrote:
Hamish
Before you spend the money, try just removing the throttle body and
cleaning it. Be sure to disconnect the battery for a while to reset the
computer.
I agree, it IS a great car.
DVN...@webtv.net (Don Nebel) wrote in <11163-3889A291-5@storefull-
143.iap.bryant.webtv.net>:
Sony1565162672
xr7 or thunderbird sport? Which was faster? I read a article many years ago
but I cant remember what it said. How has you turbo coupes held up? There is
a used one in mint condition and the person just wants a new car. I thought
about buying it as a weekend/summer car. The problem is it is such a large
car. Most of the space is wasted on the engine. But cleaned up it is a nice
looking car. I am just wondering if I would be better off with a used SHO,
Contour SVT, or a Mustang GT.
Thunder Chicken
wrote:
--------------------------
I bought my 1988 T-Bird Turbo Coupe brand new. Overall, reliability
has been great. I had two warrantee jobs done the first year; a noisey
power steering pump, and a clutch replacement (spring in disc came
out). I now have 118,000 miles with original turbo, alternator, etc. I
have replaced the starter around 100,000 miles and wore out the clutch
90,000 miles since the warrantee replacement. Oh yea, I replace the
timing belt every 60,000 miles as preventive maintenance (just did it
for the second time.)
I test drove the 5.0 liter "Sport" model and it was slow with no
power. I asked if I could get the 5.0 HO, but was told not in a
T-Bird. After driving the Turbo Coupe with 5 speed, 3.55 gears, anti
lock brakes, 4 wheel discs, 16" tires, etc. I bought one.
As far as a Mustang GT, or SHO; that is your choice. I think the
T-Bird is much more comfortable and a little better built. By that I
mean better interior, better paint, etc. many parts shared with the
Mustang.
Hamish
<20000129130143...@ng-fc1.news.cs.com>:
>this is off the subject but have any of you turbo coupe owners gone
against a
>xr7 or thunderbird sport? Which was faster? I read a article many years
ago
>but I cant remember what it said. How has you turbo coupes held up?
There is
>a used one in mint condition and the person just wants a new car. I
thought
>about buying it as a weekend/summer car. The problem is it is such a
large
>car. Most of the space is wasted on the engine. But cleaned up it is a
nice
>looking car. I am just wondering if I would be better off with a used
SHO,
>Contour SVT, or a Mustang GT.
Mine is an 87. I've never compared it to the xr7 or sport. It is a little
slow off the line untill the turbo kicks in because of its size, but it has
plenty of passing power and handles better than anything else i've driven
(on Michelin MXV4 tires). And I can go almost 900 kms on a tank of gas on
a highway trip.
I've replaced the fuel pump, alternator, some front end parts, a strut and
ignition parts (be sure to stick with genuine Ford Ign parts, especially
plug wires) and have done the brakes over the past couple of years. The
only thing I'm concerned about is the turbo, with the age the car is
getting. I think the 88s have a little more power (full bost in all gears
rather than just 1st and 2nd, or something).
I think it's a great car. Would like to try a SC next.