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1990 Merc Topaz


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spocko
New User

Sep 9, 2007, 6:25 PM

Post #1 of 7 (1634 views)
post icon 1990 Merc Topaz Sign In

Hello, i have a 1990 Mercury Topaz. it won't start and i've done everything i can think of to fix the problem.

Things i'm fairly certain i know.

It's an Ignition problem. i can spray started fluid in by taking off the air intake from the air filter and i get no "bang". also taken off a spark plug, grounded it and turned the car over. no spark at all.

what i've done, in order completed. Replaced the cap and rotor. cap had a very small crack and the rotor top was bent. didn't fix anything. replaced the "module" and coil. coil was missing every 7th spark or so, module seemed fine but replaced anyways. also didnt' fix anything. checked the fault codes at this point, got codes 11 and then 14 (11 means self check was ok, 14 is PIP cicuit failed) replaced the Distrubtor because it was the last thing that i know of to replace, and fromt eh research i did controls most of the pip signal. the car ran for about 30 miles, i was satisfied i had fixed the problem. i was wrong, next day i went out and the car would again not start. the on-board computer is still out-putting the same 2 codes (self test good, pip circuit fail)

anyone have any ideas of what to do from here? Loose wire? bad brain despite the self-test saying it's ok?

Very lost and needing help
Spocko


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 10, 2007, 7:09 AM

Post #2 of 7 (1630 views)
Re: 1990 Merc Topaz Sign In

Guess: There is a relay that may be at fault now or intermittent. I think it will be a black cube with a brown skirt and not labeled as to what it is for but has everything to do with empowering ignition items. With these relays you can usually get it to work once more by rapping on it with like the plastic end of a screwdriver. If that instantly solves the problem replace the thing at once. That may not work and still be the problem. Like a said - just a guess and something to try that costs nothing right now,

T



spocko
New User

Sep 10, 2007, 7:12 AM

Post #3 of 7 (1629 views)
Re: 1990 Merc Topaz Sign In

any idea where it will be or what it might be attached to in helps of tracking it down?

thanks :)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 10, 2007, 7:17 AM

Post #4 of 7 (1627 views)
Re: 1990 Merc Topaz Sign In

These relays should be under the hood. They can be hidden by a plastic cover to keep them dry and use funky bails to get them out. Later Fords just had push in relays and were marked under a cover as to which one was for what. Color coding ended for those relays and the part # is printed on them,

T



spocko
New User

Sep 10, 2007, 7:19 AM

Post #5 of 7 (1626 views)
Re: 1990 Merc Topaz Sign In

Bleh, i was afriad you was gonna say that :) means they are under my dash board next to the stearing wheel. Joy. thanks :)


way2old
Veteran / Moderator
way2old profile image

Sep 10, 2007, 11:26 AM

Post #6 of 7 (1623 views)
Re: 1990 Merc Topaz Sign In

If it is not producing a spark, look at the crank sensor. This is what gives the computer the signal to produce a spark.



Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds


spocko
New User

Sep 10, 2007, 11:58 AM

Post #7 of 7 (1621 views)
Re: 1990 Merc Topaz Sign In

the crank sensor is part of the distributor, or so i've been told, which i replaced for just that reason.

can't find the relay your talking about either, it's not w/ the fuses and the only 2 i've got listed in the motor manual that might be it are burriend to the point of having to pull the dash :(






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