Guess what? I've been here for quite a while and have answered a lot of code problem questions. Don't believe me? Check out the post count. I have a 5.0 Mustang specific code problem definition/fix library that I update and refine on a constant basis. I use it to help guys who post code issues, and it has worked quite well for many problems.
The primary limitation of my efforts to help others has been their lack of skill in the electrical area and their inability to read and follow directions. I am not a rocket scientist and it sure isn't rocket science. People would rather throw parts at a problem than think, test and diagnose. They see a long tech note on how to fix a code problem and avoid it like some evil tasting medicine. As a result, they struggle along and never seem to get the code problem fixed.
Good troubleshooting takes time. Everyone seems to be looking for the magic tip that says replace this $13 part and your problems are cured. You don't have to think, dig or diagnose, just buy the part and install it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way 99% of the time.
Thinking is hard work and educated thinking requires much more effort than simple parts swapping. The complexity and age of these 5.0 Mustangs works against that, as well as the number of hands that have “modified” the original design. Sometimes that modification is well done with good workmanship and other times it is mechanical road kill. It is very easy to become the victim of the previous owner’s efforts.
I spend a great deal of time trying to communicate the methodology of structured troubleshooting principles. For those who haven’t been beaten with this stick before, here they are again:
1.) Understand the system. That involves reading some books to get an overall picture of how it works. For 5.0 Mustangs, that list starts with the Chilton shop manual and the Probst book, Ford Fuel Injection & Electronic Engine Control 1988-1993 by Charles Probst :ISBN 0-8376-0301-3. It's about $30-$40 from Borders.com, see
Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more. Select books and then select search. Use the ISBN number (without dashes or spaces) to do a search. Use the ISBN number and your local library can get you a loaner copy for free for 2 weeks or so.
For free automotive electrical training, see
Automotive Training and Resource Site . I have personally reviewed the material and it is very good.
Another resource is the following website by Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host) for help on 88-95 wiring:
Mustang FAQ - Wiring & Engine Info. Study the diagrams and tech articles. There is an amazing amount of good stuff in one place for FREE.
2.) Isolate the problem. You need to be able to break the system down into functional blocks or subsystems. Once you know what subsystem has failed, it is much easier to troubleshoot. Group problem symptoms according to what system controls them. Don’t look for a fix for ignition problems by adjusting the fuel pressure. Have an organized, step by step, approach to work your way through a subsystem before you quit and go off wildly chasing rabbits. You have three tools to use in your efforts:
measure, observe and think!. Use these three tools to narrow down the list of possible failure points into a small, easily managed list of items.
3.) Install the fix. Now that you have a short list of suspected villains, plan your repair efforts so that you do the easy things first. If an item from the easy list didn’t fix your problem, then look at the high failure rate items. Spend some time here on Stangnet and you’ll get an idea of what the most commonly replaced parts are, things like TFI modules, ignition switches and fuel pumps.
If you make a change and it doesn’t relieve the problem symptoms, put it back the way it was. I have a stack of parts from where I swapped a part and it didn’t fix the problem. I put the old part back on the car and the new part went on the shelf. Someday I will either use them or trade them for something else.
thats the same thing i was thinking
