• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

engine dies

  • Thread starter Thread starter hivolt5.0
  • Start date Start date Jul 30, 2011
H

hivolt5.0

New Member
Jul 16, 2002
29
0
0
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Jul 30, 2011
#1
  • Jul 30, 2011
  • #1
Ok, I've tried searching but honestly I don't know what keywords to search for.

I have a 93 5.0 LX that just all of a sudden dies. At first I thought maybe the fuel pump was going bad cause on the drive home the engine would stall then fire, run for while then stall and fire again.

I can hear the fuel pump prime when I turn the ignition on so I checked the TPS voltage and I wasn't getting any reading. I took a TPS sensor off another motor I have in the garage and got a reading. So I adjusted it to .98 volts. Fired off the motor and it ran good then all of a sudden it just died while idling. Cranked it again and it ran for awhile and died again.

Any thoughts on what to check for next????

Thanks in advance for the help.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,015
1,612
194
NJ
Jul 30, 2011
#2
  • Jul 30, 2011
  • #2
Did you run the codes?
If you have fuel pressure then your problem is likely ignition related.
Some of the likely suspects would be the TFI, coil, distributer.
If by chance you figure out which one, use only FORD replacement parts, if you use so called performance parts or chain store parts, we'll be having this conversation again soon.
 

skunk21

Active Member
May 22, 2007
1,203
3
36
Taxachusetts
Jul 30, 2011
#3
  • Jul 30, 2011
  • #3
There is a sticky over in tech. could be many things PIP, TFI, etc. JRicker has a couple of great trouble shooting lists to go through 1st try this..

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-for...o-start-checklist-fuel-injected-mustangs.html
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,811
234
Dublin GA
Jul 30, 2011
#4
  • Jul 30, 2011
  • #4
Do the checklist as suggested. It will shorten up your troubleshooting time and save you money.

After you have done the checklist and IF you didn't find anything, dump the codes.

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.

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 years, and it works great. You watch the flashing test lamp or Check Engine Light and count the flashes.

Post the codes you get and I will post 86-93 model 5.0 Mustang specific code definitions and fixes. I do not have a complete listing for 94-95 model 5.0 Mustangs at this time.

Be sure to turn off the A/C, and put the transmission in neutral when dumping the codes. On a manual transmission car, be sure to press the clutch to the floor.
Fail to do this and you will generate a code 67 and not be able to dump the Engine Running codes.





If your car is an 86-88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method. There is no functional check engine light on the 86-88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.



The STI has a gray connector shell and a white/red wire. It comes from the same bundle of wires as the self test connector.

89 through 95 cars have a working Check Engine light. Watch it instead of using a test lamp.



The STI has a gray connector shell and a white/red wire. It comes from the same bundle of wires as the self test connector.


WARNING!!! There is a single dark brown connector with a black/orange wire. It is the 12 volt power to the under the hood light. Do not jumper it to the computer test connector. If you do, you will damage the computer.

What to expect:
You should get a code 11 (two single flashes in succession). This says that the computer's internal workings are OK, and that the wiring to put the computer into diagnostic mode is good. No code 11 and you have some wiring problems. This is crucial: the same wire that provides the ground to dump the codes provides signal ground for the TPS, EGR, ACT and Map/Baro sensors. If it fails, you will have poor performance, economy and driveablity problems

Some codes have different answers if the engine is running from the answers that it has when the engine isn't running. It helps a lot to know if you had the engine running when you ran the test.

Dumping the Engine Running codes: The procedure is the same, you start the engine with the test jumper in place. Be sure the A/C is off, and clutch (if present) is pressed to the floor, and the transmission is in neutral. You'll get an 11, then a 4 and the engine will speed up to do the EGR test. After the engine speed decreases back to idle, it will dump the engine running codes.

Trouble codes are either 2 digit or 3 digit, there are no cars that use both 2 digit codes and 3 digit codes.

Alternate methods:
For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections, see Actron® for what a typical hand scanner looks like. Normal retail price is about $30 or so at AutoZone or Wal-Mart.

Or for a nicer scanner see Equus - Digital Ford Code Reader (3145) – It has a 3 digit LCD display so that you don’t have to count flashes or beeps.. Cost is $30.
Or for a nicer scanner see http://www.midwayautosupply.com/p-7208-equus-digital-ford-code-reader-3145.aspx– It has a 3 digit LCD display so that you don’t have to count flashes or beeps.. Cost is $30.
 

Attachments

  • Underhoodpictures007-01.webp
    49 KB · Views: 97
  • Underhoodpictures010.webp
    71.3 KB · Views: 98
H

hivolt5.0

New Member
Jul 16, 2002
29
0
0
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Jul 30, 2011
#5
  • Jul 30, 2011
  • #5
Ok, I ran the KOEO test and everything comes back fine; received code 11. I did replace the TFI module last year with an autoparts brand because my car was doing the same thing it is now, only it would backfire. After replacing the TFI the car still had the same problems so I checked the TPS voltage and it was way off. I reset it and the car ran great! Until now.

Guess it's time to start going down jRichters check list.
 

skunk21

Active Member
May 22, 2007
1,203
3
36
Taxachusetts
Jul 30, 2011
#6
  • Jul 30, 2011
  • #6
hivolt5.0 said:
Ok, I ran the KOEO test and everything comes back fine; received code 11. I did replace the TFI module last year with an autoparts brand because my car was doing the same thing it is now, only it would backfire. After replacing the TFI the car still had the same problems so I checked the TPS voltage and it was way off. I reset it and the car ran great! Until now.

Guess it's time to start going down jRichters check list.
Click to expand...

what brand TFI did you go with. stuff like this I like to use motorcraft. new stuff can bad also, so if it starts acting like a bad TFI ( not saying this is it) ,etc I would still test it ( have it tested enough times to get it warm) or have a spare or a buddies that is a known working tfi to swap. keep working your way down the check list.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
2004 Mustang GT – Fuel Pump Not Priming
  • Fayio
  • Apr 22, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
163
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Apr 27, 2026
n0v8or
N
H
Fuel starvation issues, 91 EFI to carb swap. Car dying after 1-3 gallons used. EFI tank, electric fuel pump, bypass regulator. Dual fed carb
  • hassler
  • Oct 11, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
664
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 12, 2025
nickyb
S
Need help asap
  • shaggyman65
  • Dec 24, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
238
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Dec 24, 2025
shaggyman65
S
G
Help! 93 Mustang 2.3L A4LD dies at idle
  • goofyfoot53
  • Nov 17, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
130
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 17, 2025
goofyfoot53
G
Zero fuel pressure @ Shrader, but over 100 PSI at filter
  • Stang337
  • Jul 5, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
348
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Aug 10, 2025
JD1964
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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?