Okay, here's an update to my thread "IPC wiring harness connector for
1988 Toronado?":
I ordered and received a nice shiny can of DeOxit. I happily ripped
open my dash and
gratuitously hosed down both the connector on the harness and on the
back of the IPC.
The effect: nothing. I did, however, notice one of the pins being
pushed back into
the connector, so I played with it until I managed to get it to stay
in place, but
still no success. So after hours of effort, I gave up... :(
Then, as winter began to fade, and we started getting warmer days, an
interesting
thing began to happen. I noticed that on days that were > 60F, my IPC
came on and
worked fine for the most part! On a 70F day, I can pretty much count
on it totally!
True, it may blink off after a few minutes from when I first start up,
but it either
comes back in less than a second, or it comes back in a few seconds.
Arrgh! How can this be a thermal issue? I tried and tried to rule
out such an
anomaly, but it sure seems to be directly connected to the outside
temp. What could
be responsible for this? Any ideas??
But while I eagerly await everyones' insights as to this issue; I do
have a bigger one
right now. :(
Yesterday morning my car started up just fine and I went to work.
When I came out 8.5
hours later I tried to start it and it wouldn't. The starter spun at
normal speed
(not like it does when the battery is low), the battery meter
registered normal, but
it just would not turn over. So after cranking for five seconds or
so, I stopped and
tried again immediately; this time it sputtered a bit and started. It
sounded like it
was running a little bit rough for a few seconds, but I took off and
had no issues
driving it home.
When I arrived home, I had another appointment I needed to be at in 30
minutes, so I
figured that I would play it safe and just leave my car running. So I
did. I left it
running, locked it up, and went inside to change clothes. When I came
out, my car had
stopped running. The ignition was still on (dash illuminated, etc)
but it had died.
I got in and tried to crank it again and again, but unlike my
experience at work; this
time it would not go. Occasionally it would sputter a bit after I
stop cranking, and
I even got a very small backfire once in a while, but not often. I
checked for fuel
at the rail by pushing in the little tire valve-like thing and got
sprayed pretty
strongly, so I assume my fuel pump is okay. To me, it seems much more
like there just is not any spark present. Also, I replaced the in-
tank fuel pump a few years back, so it should be in good condition.
I know with my previous Toronado, a 1986, I had quite a few coil pack
issues, and have
been suprised that I have not had any such problems with this car. I
did once have to
replace the coil module unit (that they sit on top of) a year or two
ago.
Any ideas of what I can test today or tomorrow so I can get this car
up and running
for work Monday? Does it sound like a coil issue? I thought
alternator at first, but
was told that my battery would have been low if that was the issue.
I'm no expert at
cars, so I do really appreciate the guidance I have gotten from
everyone in this group
in the past. I thank you all in advance for your assistance!
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