I have an 88 Turbo Coupe and am in need of some help or suggestions. The car hesitates and misses and it seems to be temperature related. Here is the story. Last summer I hit a pothole, the car died immediately, and it would not restart. I had to have it towed to my mechanic, of course it started for him the next morning. As it has done this before, we replaced the ignition module and the stater / pip generator. I drove it home, about 3 miles. Just before I got home, it started to miss and hesitate so badly that it became all but undrivable. We discovered that it would miss and hesitate for only a couple of minutes then it would clear itself up and run great again. As we played with it, we discovered that it only did it after the temperature is in the normal range. Specifically, just between the `M' and the `R' on the temp guage. We have replaced the computer, air box, and EGR valve. We have also tried to systematically tried to isolate each temperature / operating component, to try to find the problem. The vaccum and the fuel pressure are bot good while it is acting up. We even sent it to one of the local dealerships. All they could tell us, was to do the same things that we had had already done. Fast-forward 6 months to this winter. As the air temperature dropped below 35 degrees, the car would die immediately after starting first thing in the morning. It would start and die at least 3 times before it would stay running. Then after idling for a couple of minutes it would start to hesitate and miss, just like over the summer. The only difference is that it never warmed up into the normal operating temperature range. Now that spring is here it does both; starts hard in the morning, hesitates and misses then hestitates and misses after it warms up into the normal operating temperature. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. On a side note, I have read on a few postings that one can buy a code reader for $30 to $40 dollars. Where can I get one?

Have you replaced the coolant temp sensor? or checked the connection at the sensor? If I had to guess without looking at the car, I would say your problem is in the wire for the sensor or the sensor it's self. If none of that worked trace the sensor wire back as far as you can, preferably to the computer, and add a jumper wire (10gauge wire with 2 gator clips) and drive it. If its still there I'm baffeled. As far as the computer reader, I bought mine at Pep Boys. NAPA also sells them and AutoZone if I'm not mistaken. When you buy one make sure you buy a 9 volt battery. Good luck and I hope I helped. Jack

Yes,the coolant temp sensor was replaces as well as the Air charge Temp sensor. I'll give the jumper wire a try. Just picked up a code scanner from NAPA and will run codes this weekend. Will also check try some other suggestions that I have recieved. Thanks for the suggestions. Ray

I dont know if you have tried this but i recieved a recall notice about the TFI module on fords needing to be replaced in the recall notice it describes alot of the syptoms that you are describing it is supposed to be replaced a dealerships free of charge i dont know if this will help but its worth a shot its free.let me know if this works for you. T.C. cwbyfn789@...

I beleive that we have finally corrected the problem. I took it to diff. Ford dealership and the replaced the aftermarket TFI module with a Ford module. It seems to run fine now. I hope that this helps anyone having the same problem. Ray McNamara.

TFI-IV Module? My '87 had the same thing happen to it one time. That is what seemed to cure it as well. Fords are some picky critters!