93--- Multiple Problems Please Help!

FoxbodyGurl

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Jan 12, 2009
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I just recently purchased a 1993 Mustang notch with the 2.3L. It has a few problems that I'd like to ask all of you, that are much more experienced with Mustangs, about.:)
1-- The transmission (automatic) needs to "warm up" before putting it into drive. It will not shift if placed in drive when the car is first cold started, and requires a 4-5 minute drive *manually shifting 1st and 2nd gear* before being put into drive. After the transmission "warms up", however, it runs great and shifts as smooth as silk. What could cause this?

2-- When driving, the car is nice and smooth, however when stopped it vibrates terribly. The idle is not too low, and the a/c on or off doesn't make a difference. I am hoping the problem isn't engine mounts, as I have heard the passenger side mount is nearly impossible to find. What may it be?

3-- Not a bad problem (I don't think), but very annoying. When the car is turned on, the starter "grinds" (slightly) even after the car starts up. I had this problem with my previous 93 notch and was told it was the starter solenoid, however after replacing it, the noise still continued. This car starts perfectly on the first crank, so could it still be a starter problem?
 
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hopes this helps

I am by no means a mechanic but I'll do my best.
Your transmission is like mine to the extreme. When mine is cold if I put it into gear it does it with a big clunk and a hard jerk. It shifts hard too but after it warms up it's fine. My transmission will never warm up without driving. If its been driving I can put it into gear from park or neutral without it jerking. I don't know how to help your situation. I hear only bad things about the automatics. T5 trannies are a better setup.
Vibration? I've read that 2.3L's have a rough idle and in comparison I've driven old Escorts and Focus's 2.3L's are rougher and louder but if you're compairing it to your previous stang I can only speculate that you've got some sort of problem with your combustion. Try some fuel system cleaner, new sparking plugs and wires and try cleaning your throttle body. I like STP throttle body cleaner. Disconnect the rubber hose from your throttle body and spray liberaly into the throttle body. Open the butterfly valve and scrub with an old tooth brush. Do all this with the engine off. I told my dad to try this and for some reason he did it with the engine on. I feel I must specify engine off now.:shrug: If it is engine mounts I don't see why they'd be hard to find.
Bad problem? I think so. If your starting switch isn't disingaging it'll grind the teeth until they're so worn you won't be able to start it. I think something is wrong with your ignition. These I would supect would be easy to come by. I hope this helps. I may or may not be right, just making educated guesses based on my expirence. Don't hold me responsible!:p
 
Forgot to mention, your mass airflow sensor can cause rough idle too. You might have to replace it or you might be able to clean it if it's dirty. You can find it behind the air box. It's sqare black plastic secured with two screws. My 1991 uses philips head screws. My mom's 1995 Taurus uses screws with a wierd triangular holes. Hope you don't have these. If you do, get a ford dealership unscrew them for you and replace them with standard philips head screws of the same size. You can clean the sensor with the throttle body cleaner and a q-tip. Spray the throttle body cleaner onto the thin wires and gently rub them with the q-tip. Be very carefull as you can easily break the wires.
 
ive been tinkering around with my daughters 88 lx and the shifting was a problem but i changed the fluid and filter and it seemed to straighten it out,the vibration at idle id check the motor mount they are common to find.
good luck let us know what the result was

fabio
 
yea i was gonna say,i dont recall the 2.3 motor mounts being hard to find at all really. Take the iac(idle air control) off its located on the throttle body and spray some carb cleaner in it(make sure you wipe the carb cleaner out but dont shove the rag into the iac) thAt can cause rough idle also, it get gunked up with oil etc.