1985 gt new to the forum also looking for help

[Rob]

Hey new here from Ontario Canada also first 4 eyed !
im having some trouble with my 1985 gt when the car get hot it dies and won’t start if I leave it for 5 to 10 minutes it’s starts right back up and repeats this process I’ve changed the coil ,plugs, wires,distributor cap, ignition module fuel pump don’t no what else to check or do thank you in advance

[ccurtin]

By initiation module do you mean the ignition switch in the steering column ?

[KevinK]

Have you replaced the TFI? Have you checked fuel pressure?

[85GTGuy]

Hey new here from Ontario Canada also first 4 eyed !
im having some trouble with my 1985 gt .....

Is the car a 5-speed (and therefore carb'ed) or is it an automatic (with CFI)?

By initiation module do you mean the ignition switch in the steering column ?

I'm guessing it's the ignition control module in the engine compartment. Let's see what he says...

[Rob]

Hey guys yes sorry it is a 5 speed carb car
and yes 85gtguy it’s the ignition control module in the Engine compartment
i have a pick up for the distributor on order as well
its a spark issue we drove it around till it got hot and died checked for spark there was no spark but once it cools starts right back up

[4-barrel Mike]

Sounds like a bad coil to me.

Mike

[qikgts]

Welcome.

Sounds like the pickup in the distributor is ready to be swapped out.

Come on back when you get it sorted, or sooner of course!

[Rob]

Well I changed out the pickup coil in the distributor with no joy I’m out of ideas

[4-barrel Mike]

Sounds like a bad coil to me.

Mike

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...tion+coil,7060

[Rob]

The coil was the first thing i replaced

[KevinVarnes]

I had a similar issue on my LTD 3.8. Replaced ignition module (cheap Chinese brand I carried as an emergency spare) and coil (MasterPro or whatever O'Reilly's house brand is) on the side of the road since I had them with me. Neither fixed the issue. It would run for about 1-1.5 hours and then stall. Let it sit for 20-ish minutes and it would start back up and run for another 1-1.5 hours. Since it wasn't easily replicated I had to throw a bunch of parts at it when I got home and hoped. I put a Motorcraft ignition module and coil on along with new plugs (plug wires looked fine). I believe the real culprit was the PIP module in the distributor, but I cannot confirm. I replaced the entire distributor with an NOS Motorcraft distributor since I didn't feel like disassembling the old one just to replace the PIP module. I also relocated the TFI module to the inner fender to help keep it cool, but that was more precautionary than anything.

With your car being a 5 speed/carb I don't think it has the TFI correct?

How long will it run before it dies? Clearly something is getting hot, failing, cooling down, and then working again.

[jeff85]

my 85 GT was doing something similar that went away when I replaced the frayed original battery cables.

[Scott Peters]

Welcome to FEP.
What I would try next is pretty simple.
Take a spray bottle of water with you on your next cruise.
When the car cuts out, try misting water over the coil and see if it starts.
Then you can try the fender mounted ignition module.
If this doesn’t restart the car , then you know something else is the problem.

I have had some strange things happen to my 84, which I have owed since new.
My ignition switch acted up once causing all sorts of problems randomly while I was driving.
I had to wiggle the key in the run position to keep it running.
I also had the ground wire, the one that runs from the passenger cylinder head to the fire wall give me fits.
Turned out it was wasn’t making ground and was causing all sorts of running problems including backfires, cutting out etc.
Cleaning the contact point on the firewall with sandpaper cured that one.

On a side note, new coils can fail.
Especially ones that mount stupidly on our cars… a hot intake manifold.
Aftermarket stuff is questionable at best.
I try to use Motorcraft parts even if they are sourced overseas, as they should meet Fords specifications.
You also need to really check out all the coil and ignition modules contacts for any sign of looseness or corrosion.
Good luck,
Scott

[Rob]

Thanks for the replies I’ll check everything out you guys have mentioned and report back

[qikgts]

If you wanna go for a pricy parts changing solution, you can find NOS reman Motorcraft dizzys for 83/84 Mustangs on Ebay. You'd just need to swap the drive gear with your current one.