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  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Car Running Like ****, Help me fix the problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter SRT Handz
  • Start date Start date Dec 20, 2008

SRT Handz

I tripped & fell down and cut myself & got blood
Oct 10, 2004
941
23
19
La Mirada, CA
Dec 20, 2008
#1
  • Dec 20, 2008
  • #1
So yesterday i finally get my car out of the garage (3 days of rain) to break in my brakes and all of a sudden i feel something off with the car, 2 minutes later....Check Engine Light Comes on

I turn around to co home to see what the code is and the computer showed no code. So i cleared the Codes (even though they were none) and reset the computer. Even after that the car still runs like ****....here are the Symptoms.

-Car is running REALLY rich
-Car almost feels like its Missing or not getting fuel or spark
-Below 2300 RPMs the motor has ZERO power, almost dies. Feels as its getting no spark or Fuel. Drives ALOT better after 3,000 RPMS
-Car has ALOT of hesitation
-Run OK when its col but after 5 mins runs like ****.

Since i have reset the computer and cleared codes the check engine light has not come on since but the car runs like ****.

Since then i have done these things....

-I have made sure that ever spark plug wire and fuel injector wire was plugged in.
-I unplugged pretty much every electrical connection under the hood and applied Dielectric Grease to everything including spark plus wires and fuel injectors
-To check if the Coil Packs were failing i swapped out the MSD units for the stock units, no better results.

All of the above have not help one bit. I have eliminated a bad connection because i have checked everything and i have also eliminated the coil packs because they both stock and MSD packs produce the same results.

So what do you think it could be guys?
-O2 Sensors?
-Plus Wires?
-MAF?
-IAC?
-Fuel Injectors?

I have already ordered O2 sensors and Plus wire which will be here on monday. I wanted to see what you guys think so i can eliminate the problem.

Thanks,
-Handz
 

SRT Handz

I tripped & fell down and cut myself & got blood
Oct 10, 2004
941
23
19
La Mirada, CA
Dec 20, 2008
#2
  • Dec 20, 2008
  • #2
Anyone?
 

joshjwc9

Active Member
Jun 12, 2006
1,095
17
39
Palm Harbor, FL
Dec 20, 2008
#3
  • Dec 20, 2008
  • #3
If the car is hesitate and it smells like fuel, there is no spark.

Check plugs, wires and vaccum hoses.

I feel it is either a wire issue, especially if 3 days ago the car ran fine.

If the car is having an idle issue, start pulling plug wires to see if the miss continues or gets worse.
 

Stark77

Member
Jun 11, 2008
501
0
16
Tallahassee, FL
Dec 20, 2008
#4
  • Dec 20, 2008
  • #4
Check O2's, clean MAF, disconnect battery for 30 minutes (or disconnect and then tap the batt leads together), replace fuel filter, check voltage on fuel pump/ignition coils. Hear any noises?
 

SRT Handz

I tripped & fell down and cut myself & got blood
Oct 10, 2004
941
23
19
La Mirada, CA
Dec 20, 2008
#5
  • Dec 20, 2008
  • #5
I just went outside and ran the car and checked for codes and got one.....

P1000 - OBD System readiness test not complete

WTF does that mean?
 

nyuk98gt

15 Year Member
Oct 10, 2000
1,427
6
79
Chesterfield, MO
Dec 20, 2008
#6
  • Dec 20, 2008
  • #6
SRT Handz:

P1000 just means that the PCM has been reset and it has not relearned all of the OBDII routines. Not a big deal.

The car is running in open loop (not off the O2 sensors) when cold and you report it runs well then. When warm, the O2 sensors trim the fuel to maintain a 14.7 air-fuel ratio ("stoichiometric"). Since the engine is not running well it could be due to a faulty O2 sensor. It may be the ECT (engine coolant temperature) sensor. ECT is used for many items and if the sensor is faulty, it will cause a lot of problems. Haynes has a test-out routine (measuring resistance at cold and warm temperatures). I don't have it handy (sorry). It's the first thing you should check.

HTH,

Chris
 

Pearl02

Member
Nov 27, 2004
496
0
16
Kansas City
Dec 21, 2008
#7
  • Dec 21, 2008
  • #7
When my car sits up for awhile, the IAC(idle air conrtrol) valve acts up. It also runs like crap for a little bit. You might try to remove it and clean it out. The IAC is suppose to open when your foot is off the gas and during idle. If it's open all the time, that will cause the car to run like crap. Check it out. Pearl02.
 
R

robt978

New Member
Sep 2, 2008
13
0
0
Dec 21, 2008
#8
  • Dec 21, 2008
  • #8
This is going to sound rediculous, but test the battery and the alternator, check the PCV valve if equipped, i've seen near dead batteries cause a car to idle crappy, also a poor alternator may cause the car to not properly idle. (just an idea)
 

02nightmaregt

To hell with your Mustang, I want to see your HOG!
Jul 1, 2007
513
4
19
Southern Indiana
Dec 22, 2008
#9
  • Dec 22, 2008
  • #9
Sounds to me like what my car did when the ole' o2 sensors were crapping out
 

248a

New Member
Feb 9, 2008
0
0
0
Phoenix, AZ
Dec 23, 2008
#10
  • Dec 23, 2008
  • #10
I was having this same problem not too long ago on my 96 and eventually the car just wouldn't start at all. It ended up being the crankshaft position sensor, which is like a $20 part. The only bummer is that you have to take the compressor off to get to it so make sure you have an extra set of hands or something so it doesn't just dangle there. Other than that it was an easy fix to a pita problem. Hope that helps.
 

blckstng96

Member
Apr 13, 2004
208
0
16
Dec 23, 2008
#11
  • Dec 23, 2008
  • #11
why did you have to take the comp off to get that sensor replaced? check fuel pressure while your testing things.
 

248a

New Member
Feb 9, 2008
0
0
0
Phoenix, AZ
Dec 23, 2008
#12
  • Dec 23, 2008
  • #12
blckstng96 said:
why did you have to take the comp off to get that sensor replaced? check fuel pressure while your testing things.
Click to expand...

well I got down there and had it disconnected but the position of the a/c compressor doesn't allow it to back out all the way to remove it, let alone install another one. It's only like two bolts anyways, not a big deal to remove the compressor.
 
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