• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SVT Tech Forum

03 Cobra - P1260 - Car Died, any ideas?

  • Thread starter Thread starter AmdMAN
  • Start date Start date May 31, 2008

AmdMAN

Founding Member
Jul 21, 2001
849
0
0
Kentucky
May 31, 2008
#1
  • May 31, 2008
  • #1
Guys,
Boy do I have a strange one for you. Give you some brief background, I had a bad pressure sensor a while ago and during the troubleshooting process I took out the alternator and battery, down to Autozone and tested. Everything checked out.

No problems for months, today I am driving home and on the freeway at about 75mph, the radio is on and turned up, the radio just dies (stock Mach 460). Just up and quits, I hit the button to turn it back on, nothing won't do a thing. So I proceed to change lanes thinking "blown fuse...".

As soon as I change lanes the engine majorly bogs down anytime in boost. I can slowly accelerate with no problem but as soon as I push down further it bogs and cuts out. So I pretty much keep my consistent speed for another 10 - 15 miles about to get onto an off-ramp and the car dies, can't get it to start again, can't clutch start it, it's out. Pull over, try starting it and all I hear is clicking like the battery is dead.


Get it towed to my place and let it sit for a few hours before taking a crack at it. Check all fuses, check for battery light on dash (nothing), and then I check the DTC codes with my SCT, code P1260 - Theft detected.... So I attempt to start the car again, this time it turns over and I leave it running for about 3 minutes, turn it off. Pull out a battery charger and it says the battery is at 75%. Would it have recovered all the way to 75%??

Any ideas for me guys? I was going to say alternator, then with the code, radio cutting off at the same time, and now radio works and battery showing 75% after sitting for a few hours I don't know what to think....

AmdMAN
 

hotcobra03

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
969
4
39
poteet,tx
Jun 1, 2008
#2
  • Jun 1, 2008
  • #2
mine did the same thing the alt. went out...funny my radio did the same thing also
 
S

Stang669401

New Member
Nov 15, 2004
3
0
0
Jun 3, 2008
#3
  • Jun 3, 2008
  • #3
Explorer did same thing

My '03 Explorer did the same thing. The radio would go out sometimes when I hit my brights or at other times of electrical 'need'. Then it would come on after 5 to 30 seconds. Couldn't find anything wrong - checked 'almost' everything.
After about 2 months of this, I was pulling out of a parking lot and the engine misfired and the electronic monitor on the dash said 'reduced engine power' and I thought it was going to stall. After about 4 seconds, everything returned to normal.
I figured I needed to check it more but couldn't look at it at the time. The next morning, I went to start it and it was dead. I panicked a little (had to get to work) and then just checked the battery. The positive terminal was loose - I tightened it up and have not had a problem since.
I guess the moral to this is to check all the connections for the battery and make sure they are tight. Might work for you!!
 
M

mustang_jr+

Member
May 8, 2003
150
1
18
Jun 3, 2008
#4
  • Jun 3, 2008
  • #4
I had a very similar problem, I wound up having to replace the wiring harness in my car. Have you had anyone messing with the PATS alarm / entry or more commonly, hack in a new radio?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Electrical Issues with my 2006 mustang gt
  • VerneVdV
  • May 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
0
Views
94
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech May 22, 2026
VerneVdV
E
2007 GT Stalls when lights or a/c turned on
  • ejscarfo
  • Jun 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
138
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech Jun 29, 2026
ejscarfo
E
F
2004 Mustang GT – Fuel Pump Not Priming
  • Fayio
  • Apr 22, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
309
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Apr 27, 2026
n0v8or
N
F
Alternator Not Charging
  • Fri Guy
  • Aug 29, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
435
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Aug 31, 2025
AeroCoupe
C
No Crank--have power(accessories)
  • chazmanaz
  • Oct 11, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
16
Views
582
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 17, 2025
chazmanaz
C
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SVT Tech Forum
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?