Timing Not Advancing

[87GrandMarq]

I’ve noticed on my new 90 Marquis that it’s a dog below like 2500 rpm’s. I pulled the spout connector and it acted the same so I put my multimeter inline with the spout wiring and it shows 0 volts. Anywhere to check? I’ve read a few threads on fox forums and it seems the issue for them is usually a faulty ecu.

[VicCrownVic]

I'd check continuity first.
The spout connector is just a jumper and not likely to be the culprit but check it for continuity anyway.
Check from the spout connector to the TFI connector.
Check from the spout connector to ECU connector pin 36.
If everything is continuous, the issue could be a faulty ECU.
I suppose it could also be a bad TFI module or PIP sensor, but it seems like it wouldn't run at all if that was the case but I could be wrong.

EEC IV pinout:
Fuel Injection Technical Library » EEC Computers (grandmarq.net)

[Arquemann]

On my TFI the timing was advancing way too much and not at all sometimes, but it did run. I replaced the pip and tfi module, i dont know which one fixed it.

[gadget73]

its usually something on the distributor, not the ECM when this happens. I'd expect some weird codes too if it were the ECM.

[87GrandMarq]

I finally had the chance to test out the wiring. There is continuity and this time when I checked it there was about 6.5v across the spout jumper so the ICM is getting signal. But it is still sluggish so I’ll try dumping codes and borrow a timing light to see where my timing is.

[DerekTheGreat]

Yeah, check base timing. Simple things first.

[87GrandMarq]

Alright I was finally able to make time for this. With spout disconnected, it sits at about 8* btdc. With spout connected, it does adjust timing. I ran codes and only got 12, 21 and 74, KOER. It wasn’t fully warmed up and I didn’t press the brake pedal so the 21 and 74 are false codes. I’m thinking my iac needs to be replaced. I do have a hunting idle sometimes and it stalls when I put it in drive or reverse sometimes. I’m going to replace it as cheap insurance.

Also, I’ve noticed that when I got the gas there is a little bit of a hesitation. When it shifts it bogs for a second then keeps accelerating. And it has no low end torque. The hesitation I feel isn’t like a misfire, maybe just bogs down. Any ideas?

[sly]

Check the fuel pressure and regulator. Should be around 32 PSI at idle and 40 PSI engine off (no vacuum/wide open). If it's below 28psi at idle, change the fuel filter first if that hasn't been done. If that doesn't help, you may need a new FPR. If you pull the vacuum hose off the FPR and it's wet (fuel is leaking through) then replace the FPR, it's toast.

[87GrandMarq]

I’ll check it out. The guy I bought it from said he replaced the pump and fuel filter but who knows. The fuel gauge doesn’t work so maybe it has an issue with the pump or wiring.

[87GrandMarq]

I tested the fuel pressure. It’s about 34 psi at idle, and about 40 psi with the vacuum line disconnected. When I put it in gear and messed with it to get it to idle low or almost die and it never got below 34 psi. That rules out a fuel issue. I’m pretty sure a few of the small plastic vacuum lines are cracked so I’ll start replacing them. Anywhere else I should check?

[sly]

fuel air spark. Fuel is good... so air... vacuum lines (check them all)... and you probably should check spark wires at night to see if they're leaking (making sparkles in the dark) and cap/rotor for wear and spark plugs.

[87GrandMarq]

I did a smoke test not too long ago and I couldn’t find any leaks but I know some of those tiny lines have cracks in them. I checked for spark leaking and didn’t find any. I’m replacing the wires and iac anyway and will check the cap and rotor when I can. I pulled plug on cylinder 7 last night because it wasn’t a bear to get to and it was good. Clean and the gap was about right.

[87GrandMarq]

I just went out and pulled the cap off the distributor. The rotor has a little bit of burning and so do the contacts on the cap. I think I’ll replace at least the cap just because. The rotor I’ll clean up.

[gadget73]

cap honestly looks OK. I'd give that a scrape and stick it back on.

[87GrandMarq]

I cleaned up the cap and rotor and reset the base idle. It was set way too low it wouldn’t even run with the iac unplugged. No more stalling and it doesn’t want to stall after revving. It still has no power in the low rpm’s. From a standstill it has no power until like 2500 rpm’s and then it’s like it has a turbo lol. And when it shifts gears you can feel it bog for a couple seconds before it begins accelerating again.