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Where is the ignition control module?

41K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  427Windsorman 
#1 ·
replacing ignition parts because of bad mis-firing, just need to now where ignition control module is on 94-95's?
 
#2 ·
im pretty sure the module either works or doesnt.. if the car just quits and wont start till it cools down then the module could be bad.

But if you want to eliminate all possiblities, the module is located right behind and underneath the factory airbox location. Its right in front of the passenger side strut tower, near the bottom. Its about 2"x4" in size and is aluminum with heat sink fins.. Has one single plug going into it. Its held on by 2 8mm bolts
 
#3 · (Edited)
Apollo_kid,

Here's some info I've posted before on this subject:

The TFI Module (Thick Film Ignition Module) is the switching mechanism that sits in the circuit between the PCM computer and the ignition coil and tells the coil when to fire. The TFI module can fail in its low-speed or high-speed circuit, or both.

The TFI module is mounted to the passenger-side fenderwell just below where your MAF and air inlet ducting are. You will have to remove all the air inlet stuff from the throttle body back to the air filter box to gain access.

You will also need to buy a socket of the correct size to fit the mounting bolts that secure the TFI module to the fender. (Don't have the size handy… anybody?) The reason you need to buy an extra one is that you will have to grind down the entire OD of the socket a bit on a bench grinder to reduce its overall outside diameter. If you don't, it won't fit into the recessed hole in the TFI module that the mounting bolts are in. Thank you Ford!!!!!

Disconnect the negative battery terminal before you remove it. Once you have it out, take it to an AutoZone. They have a test fixture that they connect it to and test it under load. The test is free. If it's good, put it back in… no cost, and you eliminated one possible cause. If it fails, you found the problem.

The other possibility (though not as likely) is the PIP module (Profile Ignition Pickup module) inside the distributor. The PIP is also called the Hall Effect Sensor or the Stator by Ford and others. This module tells the PCM computer when each cylinder is at TDC (Top Dead Center) to that it can tell the TFI module exactly when to trigger the coil to fire each spark plug. The reason I say this is the less likely cause is because a bad PIP module more commonly causes an ignition failure at idle and low RPMs, and then gets progressively worse until complete ignition failure occurs. The distributor has to be removed from the engine and partially disassembled to replace the PIP module.

Hope that helps.
 
#4 · (Edited)
poostang, thanks for the info.

MLC stang, what you're describing seems to be more along the lines of whats going wrong with my car, it mis-fires at different rpms.....it has no problem starting or idling, and temp. makes no diference.

thanks!!

btw.....is the TFI near the Ignition Control Module? how near/ far in relation to that?
or are they the same?
 
#6 ·
usually they go bad in 2 ways..both are heat induced..one is cutting off spark totally till the TFI cools down..the other is cuts out fuel and you will miss and run real lean up top..i have had both go wrong b4...
 
#7 ·
thanks.....i will replace that and see what happens, last night i smelled something like plastic burning, couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from, but does the TFI do this?
 
#8 ·
took out module and had tested by Autozone, module is ok.
will test coil next and replace distributor.

MLCstang, i used a Craftsman 7/32 deep 1/4 drive socket....the fit was tight but it worked fine.
 
#9 ·
poostang said:
im pretty sure the module either works or doesnt.. if the car just quits and wont start till it cools down then the module could be bad.

But if you want to eliminate all possiblities, the module is located right behind and underneath the factory airbox location. Its right in front of the passenger side strut tower, near the bottom. Its about 2"x4" in size and is aluminum with heat sink fins.. Has one single plug going into it. Its held on by 2 8mm bolts
Are you sure it is 8mm bolts? I found this tool:
http://www.thextontools.com/closeouts/
No. 396
Ford TFI Module Socket
For Ford, Lincoln, Mercury vehicles with 5.5mm hex bolt. 1/4-inch drive.
Technician Price $3.59
Sale Price $1.99
10 or more for $1.59 each

Is this not the correct one? It is 5.5mm, not 8mm.

Anyone know?
 
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