Hello, I picked up a cheap non running 86 t/a with a 305tpi, got her runnin and driving, barely. now I'm stuck.

At first she would fire but die, so I replaced
fuel pump, lines, filter, FPR, EGR, pickup coil, dizzy cap, rotor, plugs, wires,
cleared the rails, pulled the injectors and cleaned em, re timed it.


She fires up and will hold a somewhat erratic idle, and with the TPS hooked up I can sort of drive, though not enough power to go faster than 15.
With the MAF hooked up, she won't start. the filament is ripped.

If I gas it with the tps hooked up, she shutters up a little rpm and idles, if I disconnect it then she dies with gas.
However, if I push just the lever on the tps down without hitting the throttle, she winds up beautifully, regardless if the maf is hooked in er not.

The only code she throws is 54 but is getting adequate fuel pressure.

So, I'm baffled. the only thing I can think of is replacing the maf, or the ecu is shot.
And I'm open to mcguyver-rig fixes or tests, she is a $500 car that's going to be a mud toy

 

how did you clean the injectors? Are they the originals?

 

Edit: double post.

 

With a noid light, as well as a multimeter to check resistance, all were drawing between 16.2-16.8Ohm, as well as pulling the rails (injectors connected), turning on the pump and putting 12v
To each injector, they all misted beautifully. Yes they are the originals, she has 36k original miles.

I just mcguyver rigged a Ford 302 MAF in, minus the E wire (ford has a-d), she fired and idled beautifully, minus a few random rpm spikes. I could give her full throttle and shed redline like a mad ape, enough power to burnout the 32" mud kings she has.
This is a Tony Stark build (built in a cave..made of scraps! XD), but what would cause an maf to go bad?

Edit: fired her up again, she will hold a nice idle with a few surges, I can drive and she won't die, but back to definitely not full power. Almost like the gas pedal does nothing. And suddenly leaking fuel out of the #2 injector at the manifold.


Also I figure my code 54 is a bad ground somewhere. Pump doesn't prime, and my gas gauge is bipolar (I don't have a float-accidentally broke it off haha), but works fine once oil pressure builds. Checked the relay, everything checks out a-ok, cleaned the connector going from tank-> interior. Tis not my main concern at the moment

 

Took off the Ford MAF because it was no longer having any effect,
now shes only throwing code 12 over and over..
Will hold a nice idle with the occasional surge, if the ford MAF hooked in i can gas it and she kinda goes.
Unhooked, dies if I gas her.

So at this point..would I need a another ECU and (correct) MAF?
Or any other ******* fixes, short of switching to a carb?
Not the best option for a DD/mud car, but I need her running and reliable

 

New maf probably, and have you tested the tps sensor being at the right volts? check fuel pressure as well. It may not even something with fuel.

 

And code 12 is saying that everything is ok

 

That'd make sense, and the tps is drawing .4 across all 3 pins, I'm thinking its faulty as well.

 

Your tps should be at .54 in the middle pin with the car not running but with the ign on. If its not adjust it til it is by unscrewing the 2 screws on it and pull it up til you are at .54. And what fuel pressure are you at? The factory on a tpi is 43 Most people bump it to 48 or so depending on what you have done. And if the maf from the ford isnt tuned to the tpi calc its not goin to work right.

 

Ooh alright, I didn't know they were adjustable. But now its sitting at .55, and my fuel pressure at the rail is at 44 lbs. Imma find a proper m.a.f. next paycheck and see if that fixes her. The Ford one
Let's me give her gas without dying, but just barely. First backwoods fix that didn't work haha

 

I would try to get the tps at .54 but even at .55 does it idle way better?

 

Alrighty, a little, yes. The idle wasn't bad before, but now it sounds a little better, still with the sporadic rpm spike.

 

That can be from the maf

 

O also when you go for your maf go to advanced auto and get a code cause it will save you $40

 

Alright sweet. Would one from a 97 3.8 work?

 

Got a spare MAF here at the house if interested... $40 shipped

 

I would definitely be interested, either cash or I have a brand new fuel pump in box, still with the
recipt from orileys

 

Cash would be fine.. pm me when ready

 

Hey copchaser do you have more maf's? I have had a problem and it maybe the maf. I also dont know why I didnt say this earlier but whats your fuel pressure above idle? it should be the same when you rev it.

 

I only have the one MAF avail. But if the original poster doesnt respond to me in regards to buying it, you are welcome to it.

 

Let me know

 

Pm sent. and I haven't tested it, but it appears to be the same, maybe slightly higher.
And I def. think its the m.a.f. now.

 

All the above and ....Clean the IAC too (just below the TPS), remove it, hold it down and spray the spring and pintle w/ carb cleaner, squirt some in the IAC hole.

Your IAC should be exactly 1 1/8" from the shoulder to the end of the pintle. If its in bad shape - replace it.