My first ride of shame

[mburger]

Took the ol' Mk1 out to run an errand tonight. The car started coughing and sputtering with no throttle response. I was able to get it to the side of the busy highway, then got it running long enough to pull into a Shell gas station parking lot. It ran just long enough to get it lined up with the tow truck. I could smell fuel in the exhaust. I'm hoping it's the capacitor issue in the ECU. I'm running a stock 1990 5.0, harness, ECU etc.
I asked the tow truck driver to bring it to my house and we put it in the garage. I broke down only a coule miles from my house.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102702&d=1551057226

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102704&d=1551057270

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102703&d=1551057252

[GoDadGo]

Sorry It Left You But You'll Be Back Running Sooner Than You Think!

[RJD]

Still looks fast...and beautiful.

[mburger]

Thanks RJD. Maybe it's the car telling me it wants an eight stack EFI system? :D

[65 Cobra Dude]

Glad you made it home safely Mark!

Henry

[mburger]

Glad you made it home safely Mark!

Henry

Thanks Henry, and for always being there to help me out!

[edwardb]

Boo. I know that ride all too well. Hopefully a quick fix.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Easy stuff first..."sputtering & coughing with no throttle response"---check fuel pressure. If that's good be sure that the mass air meter wiring is intact. Next suspicion would be TFI module.

Good luck,
Jeff

[FF6602]

IMHO, the no shame in finding a mechanical gremlin while you are enjoying your beautiful red Cobra. Much better to drive it (I saw that you have over 7000 miles on her) and break something than to have a trailer queen! Plus, I’m sure that it was the coolest car that rollback driver had towed in a long time!! Keep Calm and Drive On!

[mburger]

Easy stuff first..."sputtering & coughing with no throttle response"---check fuel pressure. If that's good be sure that the mass air meter wiring is intact. Next suspicion would be TFI module.

Good luck,
Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I have a code reader and tomorrow I'll connect it to see if it is throwing any codes. I'll also check your suggestions.

[John4337]

Welcome to the club, but I agree, better driving it than have it sitting in the garage. Mine happened when the ECU for the Powerjection died. Hope you get it sorted out soon

John

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102720&d=1551064523

[WIS89]

Mark-

Sorry about the breakdown. Good news is that it was close to home. She sure looked great on that tow rig though, right?

I hope it's an easy fix! And, if the outcome is an eight stack, you are far better off! ;-o)

Regards,

Steve

[mburger]

I need to pick up a fuel pressure gauge but the mas air wiring looks ok. I did a KOEO read with my Ford OBD1 reader and got a code 15 (PCM Read Only Memory (ROM) test failed). I'm not using any performance chips which I've read can throw that code. For $40 I can replace the TFI mudule but not sure if code 15 is telling me that maybe those three capacitors in the A9L are possibly the issue.

[Mark Reynolds]

Even if it turns out to be the computer I recommend installing a remote TFI module using this kit:
http://www.mccullyracingmotors.com/index_files/tfikits.htm

[mburger]

Thanks Mark! I saw that and may well do that. I’m basically collecting parts for a refresh on the ol’ Mk1 so I’m trying to decide on a complete rewire and top end.
I’ve got another order for you coming...

[mburger]

I spent 45 minutes trying to get the connector off of my A9L computer before I texted Henry (65 Cobra Dude) who said there's a screw that holds the connector on under the black cover. I removed the black wiring harness cover and there it was, a big metric head bolt holding the connector on. I was banging on it with a hammer screw driver chewing up the plastic like an idiot... On one hand, I feel like how would I know there's a bolt under the cover with four plastic straps holding the connector on, and on the other hand, I feel like an idiot. Anyway.... I ordered and received the three capacitors for the repair and after removing the cover from the computer saw this.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=103031&d=1551504305

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=103030&d=1551504296

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=103029&d=1551504286

Hoping replacing all three capacitors resolves my issues.

Thanks once again Henry!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

If you have not had a ROS you are not driving it enough. :D Lose starter bolts. Starter spun but would not engage the flywheel. Put some blue thread sealer on when I got home.

https://www.ffcars.com/forums/members/albums/50738-bear-avhistory/bear-2-2833-picture44468-shame1.jpg

Just be sure they have some boards to help clear the lower front lip on the car.

[65 Cobra Dude]

Looks like you found the issue Mark. Good luck getting her running again and glad to help steer you in the right direction.

Henry

[slpro1207]

103080

Sheared distributor gear pin stopped me.

[mburger]

Thanks everyone for the moral support!
Tuesday I’ll put the repaired A9L in and give it a go before I head north to NY for work for 4 days.
Weather is great for driving in SW FL and I hate having the car down.

[mburger]

After the capacitors were changed on my A9L, I started it, it ran rough and died. Ever since the car will crank but will not fire. Also, since the first time the car acted up, it got worse with every start until it won't fire at all. I put a noid light on an injector connector and when cranking, the light flashes really fast like a stobe. The inline spark tester flashes at a normal rate when cranking. Not sure if it's still the A9L or the PIP. I took a video of both the noid and inline spark lights but I don't know how to post a video here. Thinking of getting another A9L and trying that. Thoughts? I ordered a TFI module that should be here in a couple days.