87TAWS6

My bird is still not running... Car is a 87 T/A with a 5.0L TPI. I actually got it to start this morning but it had a very erratic idle. and it eventually died. it acted like it isnt getting enough fuel which explains the code im getting, but when i hit the pin on the fuel rail where you can throw a gauge it shoots out real good. should i find a gauge and see what the pressure is? also the car seems to shut off when it warms up a little. any help would be great.

I'm getting a code 54:

low fuel pump voltage
OR
fuel pump relay
OR
EGR Solenoid No. 2 Failure
OR
Quad Driver Module output failure
OR
Mixture Control Solenoid - Circut voltage too high
OR

Vader

In your instance, the '54' is for "Fuel pump voltage low (below 2 volts)". That means that the ECM is not detecting adequate voltage in the fuel pump circuit at ECM connector Pin B2. That may or may not indicate a fuel pump problem, but may only be a connection problem at the ECM. It may also be truly low fuel pump voltage, which would indicate a relay, oil pressure switch, or wiring problem, including grounds.

Depressing the core pin of the Schader valve on the fuel rail may indicate the flow of fuel, but doesn't do much to prove adequate pressure.

PneumaticTire

I had this same problem with my 86 TPI. Ran like crap. I went over the grounds at the back of both cylinder heads, and out of last resort tried a SECOND new fuel pump relay up on the drivers side of the firewall. Turned out the new relay I got was ALSO bad, and a different new one fixed it.