Vacuum lines and running issues

Tiny
MIKE LAWS
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • RWD
  • 87,000 MILES
Just bought this car, first thing noticed before buying was every vacuum line was dry rotted and had fallen off of the ports.
Car ran perfect until couple of days ago when it was idling and just died.
Changed fuel filter as it appeared to be original filter, filter was clogged but fuel pump ran when turn key on and pumped fuel out the line as we checked it before hooking up filter inline.
Engine turns over freely, checked spark had weak spark changed coil and ECM on distributor. Still would not crank.
Tried getting engine to turn over on starting fluid and would not even hit.

Two part question need answers;
Anyone have vacuum line schematic or pictures of where to install lines?
Ideas on why engine wont crank?
Saturday, July 16th, 2016 AT 6:45 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you mean it turns over but wont run then scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge. it may be vacuum line to map sensor can be why it wont run etc. auto parts rent gauge.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

vacuum diagram is for federal if you do not live in California it will be the correct one.
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Saturday, July 16th, 2016 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
MIKE LAWS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks, will check pressure at fuel rail and report back.
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Sunday, July 17th, 2016 AT 10:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,347 POSTS
Hey Mike here is another guide that might help you on the engine wont start problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please let us know what you find so it can help others

Best, Ken

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Thursday, July 21st, 2016 AT 11:11 AM
Tiny
MIKE LAWS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Checked fuel pressure it's at 38 lbs. Followed testing procedures in the article
For the fuel pump relay test. Everything checks out good by this test. The yellow wire with green strip that is in position 1 as this article reads ohms out as having a short to ground, I unbolted the harness going into the computer and the wire no longer shows a short to ground. Any opinions on if I have a fried computer as it did run then died when it got hot and now won't start?
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2016 AT 2:47 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It's probably a bad connection or the wire is shorted right by it and when you undid the bolt it straightened out. So check for a pinched wire or poor connection
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2016 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
MIKE LAWS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I'll check it, thanks
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2016 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,347 POSTS
Please let us know how it goes,

Best, Ken
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2016 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
MIKE LAWS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Rechecked the wiring harness, hooked the plug back into the computer and the yellow wire with the green strip showed short to ground, unhooked the computer again tested same white from the fuel pump relay to the plug at the harness and wire showed good. I did find out that the distributor isn't dependent on vacuum. Have pretty much ruled the computer as fried, also almost every wire going to the fuel pump relay wires were stripped back and corroded so assuming some jack leg before myself was trying to find an intermediate problem?
Going to the junk yard to get a computer Monday.
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2016 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 47,347 POSTS
Okay let us know what happens
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2016 AT 9:52 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
I hope you fixed the shorted wire first as that may be the cause and not the pcm.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 8:13 AM

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