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Help Diagnose Bucking While Driving

  • Thread starter Thread starter Quadgod
  • Start date Start date Jul 7, 2005
Q

Quadgod

Member
Jul 7, 2005
41
0
6
Jul 7, 2005
#1
  • Jul 7, 2005
  • #1
I recently purchased a 2001 Mustang GT with an auto transmission. This is my fifth mustang & second auto. My fiance wanted to drive it & she can't drive a stick very well. The odometer read 12,400 miles at time of purchase. First thing I did was give it a complete detail including misting the engine comp't with diluted simple green then lighting spraying down with water. I've done this countless times with other vehicles with no negative effects. After sitting for a day to dry it out, I started it up & it immediately ran rough. Initially it didn't surprise me as this has happened before after cleaning a motor. Thinking it would clear up, I took it out for a ride. After several hundred miles it ran much better. However, now with 15,000 miles on the car, it bucks / cuts out most notably after the trans shifts into overdrive at low speeds (approx. 35 mph) then lightly accelerating without the trans kicking down into 3rd gear. The rpm's do not flucucate or drop at all. I have noticed it does it in third gear but it's hardly noticable compared to overdrive. I also noticed that accelerating under WOT, power really kicks immediately around 4,000 rpm's. I'm not sure if it's an ignition or transmission problem. Any thought or suggestions would be appreciated. By the way, the car ran a 14.09 stock.
 
D

Dragstr05

New Member
Dec 21, 2004
643
1
0
Stafford VA
Jul 7, 2005
#2
  • Jul 7, 2005
  • #2
Sorry dont know what to tell ya. Sometimes its just alot easier when the CEL is on and you can just scan it for codes.
 

tomustang

Psychotic Member
Founding Member
Jun 8, 2000
3,434
2
78
McLean Hospital
Jul 7, 2005
#3
  • Jul 7, 2005
  • #3
If your car is bucking after a under-the-hood washing you got some water in the altenator. It should go away soon enough.

Either that or your driveshaft became lose.
 

stangman

15 Year Member
Jul 10, 2003
2,690
10
69
in a 3 bed, 2 bath
Jul 7, 2005
#4
  • Jul 7, 2005
  • #4
its almost definately water related imo, prolly water near the plugs actually. that or the iac(t) is going out
 

csledd

Official Ovary Punching Member
Founding Member
Aug 18, 2001
1,115
1
0
Paducah, KY
Jul 7, 2005
#5
  • Jul 7, 2005
  • #5
My brother (he knows nothing about cars) cleaned his friends engine by just spraying water and some cleaner all in it. He got water all around the spark plugs, car had all kinds of problems starting and running. once the water was removed it was better than ever. I'd check it out.
 
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