• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

HELP, Car dying randomly

  • Thread starter Thread starter DRKSD
  • Start date Start date Apr 17, 2006

DRKSD

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
112
16
38
Iowa
Apr 17, 2006
#1
  • Apr 17, 2006
  • #1
I drive an 03 GT 5spd. I recently returned home from some military training (gone 5 months) and after about a week of driving my car, noticed an abnormal idle, and experienced what i can only describe as random dying out of the car when in neutral, either in the stopped position at a stopsign or stop light, or in de-acceleration when in neutral...

Has anyone else experienced this or know what might be going on? i had it looked at the other day and the mechanic said the computer codes showed nothing, they checked the plugs and injectors, found no problems, ran a cleanser through the fuel lines and said thats all tehy could do...

The car runs a helluva lot smoother with the clean fuel line, but still sputters and dies at random. sometimes its fine, but then every once and awhile it just craps out. It always starts right back up, and wouldn't be such an issue if it didn't do it while i was slowing down on the road with vehicles behind and around me.

Any help????
 

sgarlic

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2001
3,085
1
56
Apr 18, 2006
#2
  • Apr 18, 2006
  • #2
Sounds to me like you've got some crappy gas in the tank from sitting so long. I'd either drain the tank, or run some sort of stabilizer through and hope it helps.
 

the98stang

Active Member
Aug 12, 2005
2,408
0
47
Clovis, CA
Apr 18, 2006
#3
  • Apr 18, 2006
  • #3
You could try replacing the fuel filter. Possibly the IAC or PCV valve?
 

DRKSD

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
112
16
38
Iowa
Apr 18, 2006
#4
  • Apr 18, 2006
  • #4
Thanks for the suggestions guys, any suggestions on fuel filters?
 

Nater

New Member
Sep 5, 2003
239
0
0
Maplewood, MN
Apr 18, 2006
#5
  • Apr 18, 2006
  • #5
That happened to me a time or two. What it was under warranty at the time and the dealer said they had to reprogram the computer or update it. Hasn't done it since.
 

four six

Member
Jan 19, 2006
506
2
18
Hobart, IN
Apr 18, 2006
#6
  • Apr 18, 2006
  • #6
This is happening to me with my 98 GT. I just put in a T3650 and it dies out randomly
 

triggz

Founding Member
May 15, 2002
1,218
0
37
Gadsden, AL
Apr 18, 2006
#7
  • Apr 18, 2006
  • #7
Most likely is a bad IAC valve. Very common problem and fits what you describe.
 

four six

Member
Jan 19, 2006
506
2
18
Hobart, IN
Apr 18, 2006
#8
  • Apr 18, 2006
  • #8
triggz said:
Most likely is a bad IAC valve. Very common problem and fits what you describe.
Click to expand...

Not me. I replaced mine yesterday. Still dies out
 

Superhereaux

chicks make me feel inadequate
Founding Member
Jul 30, 2002
538
3
59
South Texas
Apr 18, 2006
#9
  • Apr 18, 2006
  • #9
02grey3.8 said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys, any suggestions on fuel filters?
Click to expand...
motorcraft



my guess would be the bad gas also

i had a bad tank of gas a long time ago. car would die randomly at idle, decel at highway speeds or pulling up to a stop.
instead of draining the tank i just ran the piss outta my car for a good 20 min on a deserted back road.

seemed to have worked fine
 

DRKSD

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
112
16
38
Iowa
Apr 19, 2006
#10
  • Apr 19, 2006
  • #10
appreciate the input! gonna run out the tank and see if that helps any... hopefully it does, don't wanna have to replace anything right now if i don't have to.
 
D

Dragstr05

New Member
Dec 21, 2004
643
1
0
Stafford VA
Apr 19, 2006
#11
  • Apr 19, 2006
  • #11
On the bad gas note, how much was in the tank? Obviously this would be the easiest to fix because you will need gas anyway.

For a fuel filter, I wouldnt necessarily look at that unless you have some decent mileage on the car. It COULD be clogged up with low miles, but not likely.

I'm with the others that have said the IAC. This isnt always the case, but it is common.
 

TheGasketGuy

New Member
Nov 1, 2004
2
0
0
Connecticut
Apr 19, 2006
#12
  • Apr 19, 2006
  • #12
triggz said:
Most likely is a bad IAC valve. Very common problem and fits what you describe.
Click to expand...
That would be my guess as well. I'm more familiar with the '03/'04 Cobra. With them the FRPS is frequently an issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

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
131
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 17, 2025
goofyfoot53
G
B
'03 GT Fuel Pump/Pressure/Delivery Issue
  • Brodach
  • Oct 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
818
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
gkomo
G
Sputtering/misfiring below 2500rpm
  • Godless
  • Sep 14, 2025
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
332
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 14, 2025
gkomo
J
Car Diagnosis
  • j.2016
  • Aug 31, 2025
  • 2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk
Replies
3
Views
291
2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk Aug 31, 2025
Noobz347
B
Questions About T5 Manual
  • Blackout67
  • Apr 13, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
10
Views
538
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 22, 2025
89ripper
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
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?