Ford EEC-IV/TFI-IV Electronic Engine Control Troubleshooting

Your Ranger/Bronco II is stalling/dieing or sputtering when hot but runs when it cools off.  This can be caused by a faulty TFI and the biggest culprits are heat.  Another culprit can be a wire grounding out.  Problematic TFI’s can give off codes 14 (PIP) and 18 (SPOUT).o

To start with, here are some links you may find helpful:

TFI Worksheet (Strongly recommend you print this worksheet)

TFI Remote Mounting

Ford TFI Module Litigation Settlement

Quick Checks

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) pertaining to the ignition system:

Wiring:

Always check your wiring.  Here is a picture of SPOUT (Spark Output signal) wire that was grounding out.

The yellow spark output signal wire is without a section of insulation. This section happens to run through a shield ground that provided a convenient ground source for the SPOUT signal. Just the right bump in the road or vibration from the engine would provide a path of lesser resistance for the SPOUT signal, killing the coil trigger.

This is where the TFI Modile plugs in to the distributor to get the PIP signal.  Notice the defective insulation.

Heat Is Your Enemy!:

The top three leads (for PIP signal) can lose continuity with the back plate (ground) on the module when the unit is hot.  You should consider a remote mounted TFI.  If your TFI is failing from heat, it can give off computer codes 14 (PIP) and 18 (SPOUT).

General Information

The TFI-IV distributor ignition system consists of the following components:

The distributor ignition system designed by Ford has two distinct configurations. The first configuration is known as the distributor mounted system, because the TFI is mounted directly on the distributor housing. The second configuration is known as a remote mount system, since the TFI is mounted on the engine or front fender apron.

The distributor used by this system is sealed and houses the CMP sensor. The distributor does not utilize vacuum or centrifugal advance mechanisms; the ignition timing is automatically controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and the TFI.

Ford calls this electronic ignition the Thick Film Integrated-IV (TFI-IV) ignition system. The TFI module is also known as the Ignition Control Module (ICM) which reports engine position and rpm to the PCM. The PCM then determines the proper spark timing and advance, and returns a reference signal to tell the TFI module to switch the coil, thereby by creating a spark. The PCM used on these vehicles is referred to by Ford as the Electronic Engine Control-IV (EEC-IV) module.

System Operation

The CMP sensor, housed inside the distributor, responds to a rotating metallic shutter mounted on the distributor shaft. This rotating shutter produces a digital Profile Ignition Pick-up (PIP) signal, which is used by the PCM and TFI to provide base timing information, determine engine speed (rpm) and crankshaft position. The distributor shaft rotates at one-half crankshaft speed, therefore the shutter rotates once for every two crankshaft revolutions.

The TFI functions in either one of two modes: push start or Computer Controlled Dwell (CCD). The push start mode allows for increased dwell, or coil on time, when starting the engine. During this mode, the TFI determines when to turn on the ignition coil based on engine speed information. The coil is turned off, thereby firing, whenever a rising edge of a SPark OUTput (SPOUT) signal is received. The SPOUT signal is generated by the PCM, and provides spark timing information to the TFI. During the push start mode, the SPOUT signal only indicates the timing for coil firing; the falling edge of the SPOUT signal is ignored. Despite the name, the push start mode is also enabled during engine starting with the ignition key.

Do not attempt to push start a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission.

The rotary armature has open areas called windows and tabs called vanes

The vane interrupts the magnetic field passing through the Hall effect device

During the CCD mode, both edges of the SPOUT signal are utilized. The leading edge of the SPOUT signal is used by the ICM in the same manner as during the push start mode. The falling edge of the signal is generated to control the timing for turning the ignition coil on (the TFI no longer controls this function as during the push start mode). During the CCD mode, the coil on time, or dwell, is entirely controlled by the PCM through the SPOUT signal.

In the event that the SPOUT signal from the PCM is disrupted, the TFI will use the PIP signal from the CMP to fire the ignition coil, which results in a fixed spark angle and dwell.

Diagnosis & Testing

Service Precautions

Preliminary Checks

Test Procedures

Perform the test procedures in the order in which they are presented here.

Ignition Coil Secondary Voltage Test

Coil Voltage Test #1 – Crank Mode

1 – Connect a spark tester between the ignition coil wire and a good engine ground.

2 – Crank the engine and check for spark at the tester.

3 – Turn the ignition switch OFF.

4 – If no spark occurs, check the following:

a. Inspect the ignition coil for damage or carbon tracking.

b. Check that the distributor shaft is rotating when the engine is being cranked.

c. If the results in Steps a and b are okay, go to Test #4.

5 – If a spark did occur, check the distributor cap and rotor for damage or carbon tracking. Go to the Coil Voltage Test #2.

Coil Voltage Test #2 – Run Mode

1 – Fully apply the parking brake. Place the gear shift lever in Neutral (manual transmission) or Park (automatic transmission).

 CAUTION –  Failure to perform this step may result in the vehicle moving when the starter is subsequently engaged during the test.

2 – Disconnect the S terminal wire at the starter relay. Attach a remote starter switch.

3 – Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position.

4 – Using the remote starter switch, crank the engine and check for spark.

5 – Turn the ignition switch OFF.

6 – If no spark occurred, the problem lies with the wiring harness. Inspect the wiring harness for short circuits, open circuits and other defects. Go to Test #3.

7 – If a spark did occur, the problem is not in the ignition system.

Wiring Harness Test #3 – Voltage Check

1 – Separate wiring harness connector from ignition module.  Inspect for dirt, corrosion and damage. NOTE: Push connector tabs to separate.

2 – Verify that the wire to the S terminal of starter relay is disconnected.

3 – Attach negative (-) VOM lead to distributor base.

4 – Measure battery voltage.

5 – Following the appropriate table below, measure connector terminal voltage by attaching VOM to small straight pin inserted into connector terminal and turning ignition switch to position shown.

 CAUTION –  Do not allow straight pin to contact electrical ground.

6 – Turn ignition switch to Off position.

7 – Remove straight pin.

8 – Reconnect wire to S terminal of starter relay.

9 – Was the value at least 90 percent of battery voltage in each case?

a. – If yes, replace TFI module.

b. – If no then:

1 – Inspect for faults in wiring harness and connectors.

2 – Check for damaged or worn ignition switch.

Distributor Hall Effect Test #4

1 – Place the transmission shift lever in the Park position (A/T) or Neutral (M/T) position and set the parking brake.

 CAUTION –  Failure to perform this step may result in the vehicle moving when the starter is subsequently engaged during the test.

2 – Disconnect the harness connector from the TFI module and connect the TFI tester.

3 – Connect the red lead from the tester to the (+) positive side of the battery.

4 – Disconnect the wire at the S terminal of the starter relay and attach remote starter switch.

5 – Crank the engine using the remote starter switch and note the status of the two LED lamps.

6 – Remove the tester and remote starter switch.

7 – Reconnect the wire to the starter relay and the connector to the TFI.

8 – Did the PIP light blink?

a. – If Yes, go to Test #6.

b. – If No, remove distributor cap and verify rotation.  If OK, go to Test #5.

TFI Module Resistance Test #5

1 – Remove the TFI from the distributor or the front fender apron.

2 – Measure the resistance between the TFI terminals as shown below:

a. – GND-PIP IN: should be greater than 60 ohms.

b. – PIP PWR-PIP IN: should be less than 2,000 ohms.

c. – PIP PWR-TFI PWR: should be less than 200 ohms.

d. – GND-IGN GND: should be less than 2 ohms.

e. – PIP IN-PIP: should be less than 200 ohms.

3 – If any of these checks failed, replace the TFI with a new one.

TFI Module Test #6

1 – Use status of Tach light from Test #4.  If Yes then go to Test #7.

2 – Did the Tach light blink? If No, replace TFI module and check for spark using the method described in Test #1. If spark was not present, replace the coil also.

System Test #7

1 – Disconnect the pin-in-line connector near the TFI.

2 – Crank the engine

3 – Turn the ignition switch OFF.

4 – If a spark did occur, check the PIP and ignition ground wires for continuity. If okay, the problem is not in the ignition system.

5 – If no spark occurs, check the voltage at the positive (+) terminal of the ignition coil with the ignition switch in RUN.

6 – If the reading is not within battery voltage, check for a worn or damaged ignition switch.

7 – If the reading is within battery voltage, check for faults in the wiring between the coil and TFI module terminal No. 2 or any additional wiring or components connected to that circuit.

Spark Timing Advance Test #8

Spark timing advance is controlled by the EEC system. This procedure checks the capability of the ignition module to receive the spark timing command from the EEC module. The use of a volt/ohmmeter is required.

1 – Turn the ignition switch OFF.

2 – Disconnect the pin-in-line connector (SPOUT connector) near the TFI module.

3 – Start the engine and measure the voltage, at idle, from the SPOUT connector to the distributor base. The reading should equal battery voltage.

4 – If the result is okay, the problem lies within the EEC-IV system.

5 – If the result was not satisfactory, separate the wiring harness connector from the ignition module. Check for damage, corrosion or dirt. Service as necessary.

6 – Measure the resistance between terminal No. 1 and the pin-in-line connector. This test is done at the ignition module connector only. The reading should be less than 1 ohms.

7 – If the reading is okay, replace the TFI module.

8 – If the result was not satisfactory, service the wiring between the pin inline connector and the TFI connector.

STEP 1

Determine if the engine is getting fuel. If injector is fueling chances are the TFI electronics are ok. If the electronics fail the fuel system shuts down except for about 20 seconds of start of cranking. If no fueling or if it quits after 20 seconds of cranking go to step 2.

STEP 2

Check for spark at one of the spark plugs. If spark is found, you may have a fuel system problem. If spark is not found, check for spark at the coil wire. If you have spark, you may have a bad rotor, cap, or wires. If you still have no spark, unplug the harness at the TFI module. With key off, there should be no voltage present at any terminals of the harness. With key in the run position there should be voltage at the “TFI POWER RUN” and the “TACH IDM (COIL NEGATIVE)” terminals. Pull the small wire off the starter solenoid so engine will not crank. Have an assistant try to crank the engine. There should be voltage at “TFI POWER RUN, TFI POWER CRANK (START SIGNAL IN), and TACH IDM (COIL NEGATIVE)” terminals. If there is not voltages present, there is a possible wiring problem. If voltages are ok, go to step 3.

STEP 3

With coil wire removed to watch for spark, place ignition key in the run position. Momentarily touch a jumper wire from “TACH IDM (COIL NEGATIVE)” terminal of the harness to a good ground. Spark should jump every time the jumper is grounded. Do not ground the jumper for more that a couple of seconds. If no spark is found, make sure that with the key in the run position there is voltage at one of the coil terminals. If voltage is present, the coil may be bad, go to step 4. If spark is found, the problem may be the TFI module or the PIP (profile ignition pickup or reluctor in the distributor) so go to step 5.

STEP 4

We should now test the coil. Use an ohm meter and probe the resistance of the two small terminals, and you should find 0.3 to 1.0 ohm. If the resistance is not ok, it may be a bad coil. If the resistance is ok, probe one small terminal and the coil wire terminal. Resistance should be 8000 to 11,500 ohms. If the resistance is not ok, replace coil. If the resistance is ok, go to step 5.

STEP 5

Testing the pickup coil (PIP) in the distributor is not an easy task, and best to test the TFI module first, then replace the pickup coil (PIP) if the TFI module tests ok. I have seen very few pickup coils on Ford TFI systems go bad. Test the TFI module according to the chart below. These values may be valid only on an OEM module, but may apply to aftermarket.

TFI Terminals to jump Resistance (OHMS)