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Engine 86 GT no start/stall

  • Thread starter Thread starter nweber
  • Start date Start date Jul 28, 2026
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nweber

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I have an 86 GT that i swapped a motor and trans from another 86 GT into and it was running okay before and now it barely tries to start. swapped computers from other car same vr1 computer. car will fire right away and then stall right away unburnt fuel is coming out of the exhaust and car has spark could a bad tfi do this everything is from the other car except the fuel system and i just changed to filter and the fuel pump is working good. 99% sure there is no vacuum leak, if someone could help me out that would be great. 86 GT cobra T-5 5.0 HO
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
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#2
  • Jul 28, 2026
  • #2
Lots of ground to cover, first thing I'd do monitor spark, wait, did the car run and drive good after engine swap and start acting up after awhile or it ain't been right since swap?
Give up a little more info,.hell we love stories....and pics of this pony too
Oh....smell the oil on the dipstick, prolly smells fuelish, need to change it...
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
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#3
  • Jul 29, 2026
  • #3
Do you possess an OBD-1 code reader?

nweber said:
86 GT cobra T-5 5.0 HO
Click to expand...

Canadian GT.
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
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#4
  • Jul 29, 2026
  • #4
What Noobz347 said. You need to check for codes. This is the reader a lot of us use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EW0KHW?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1

If you do not have one you can go really old school and do it this way:

Electrical Thread 'How To Pull Codes From EEC-IV In 86- 95 5.0 Mustangs'

Jan 27, 2016
@Noobz347 - The code dump procedure isn't in the sticky - you may want to add it...



Dump the codes: Codes may be present even if the Check Engine Light (CEL) isn't on.

Dumping the computer diagnostic codes on 86-95 Mustangs

Revised 26-July-2011. Added need to make sure the clutch is pressed when dumping codes.

Codes may be present even if the check engine light hasn’t come on, so be sure to check for them.

Here's the way to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for...
  • jrichker
  • Replies: 12
  • Forum: Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

If you get no codes the ECU most likely has problems and needs to be repaired. At a minimum you should get an 11, then a 10, and then an 11 if there are not codes. So this would be KOEO and the 11 code means is passed, then you have the separator which is the 10, and then for the KOER you would get an 11 for that test passed.

You are working with ECU's that are 40 years old and there are parts in there that just go bad with time. Great place to get them repaired is here:

1986-2004 Ford Mustang A9L A9P ECU Repair Service

1986-2004 Ford Mustang A9L A9P ECU Repair Service Engine Computer Repair Please fill out the R&R form here once you've placed your order.ORInclude a note in the box with your order number and vehicle symptoms.A Trusted Product with LIFETIME WARRANTY QUICK TURN AROUND TIMEDomestic and...
www.theecuexchange.com

The website will say A9L A9P but they repair speed density as well.

Check for codes and report back.
 
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nweber

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General karthief said:
Lots of ground to cover, first thing I'd do monitor spark, wait, did the car run and drive good after engine swap and start acting up after awhile or it ain't been right since swap?
Give up a little more info,.hell we love stories....and pics of this pony too
Oh....smell the oil on the dipstick, prolly smells fuelish, need to change it...
Click to expand...
so the car ran pretty well after the swap ran rich but that went away after its sucked the coolant down and I shut it off for lunch came out after and it would try to start with a couple fires and that's it, pulled the plugs they were soaked so no fuel issue there. and just to be safe i swapped them with some ngk ones they had nice blue spark dropped them in and the ran for about 10 seconds and then started doing the same thing i have no idea what's going on and it feels like its time to buy a carb. -Feeling Frustrated
 
N

nweber

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  • Jul 29, 2026
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Noobz347 said:
Do you possess an OBD-1 code reader?



Canadian GT.
Click to expand...
i do have one but can i collect codes without the car running?
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
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#7
  • Jul 29, 2026
  • #7
Yes. It’s the Key On Engine Off (KOEO) test. Read the thread I linked with regards to pulling codes.
 
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