Help!!No Power!!

[ccoypat]

I bought a 95 GT convt. auto. It is slow. I mean really slow. I can barely keep it above 50 going up hills. Cant even spin the wheels in the rain. It only has 68k miles. It actually runs really smooth. Absolutely no torque. When i give it a lot of gas, the Check engine light comes on and then goes off a few seconds after I let off the gas. It doesn't smoke. There is no jerking. It idles fine. I am getting about 170 miles per tank of gas..Not sure if that is good or bad. It is just slow and the check engine light comes on. Since I bougt it, I had the cats checked (they are fine). I have new mufflers, ignition coil (msd blaster), new 9mm plug wires, new plugs, and K&N air filter. No improvement. Spoke with some other mustang owners and they think it is the O2 sensors. I would think if they were bad that the Check engine light would be on all the time. As far as the lack of torque, someone told me to get the gears checked. HELP...is this two separate problems or can emissions cause that much of a power loss.


UPDATE: I forgot to add that I have changed the fuel filter, distr cap and rotor, and flushed the transmission. I will try to clean the MAF. I tried once to remove the MAF. I couldn't get sensor out..needed some special alan wrench or something (never seen it before).

 

[outmama]

I bought a 95 GT convt. auto. It is slow. I mean really slow. I can barely keep it above 50 going up hills. Cant even spin the wheels in the rain. It only has 68k miles. It actually runs really smooth. Absolutely no torque. When i give it a lot of gas, the Check engine light comes on and then goes off a few seconds after I let off the gas. It doesn't smoke. There is no jerking. It idles fine. I am getting about 170 miles per tank of gas..Not sure if that is good or bad. It is just slow and the check engine light comes on. Since I bougt it, I had the cats checked (they are fine). I have new mufflers, ignition coil (msd blaster), new 9mm plug wires, new plugs, and K&N air filter. No improvement. Spoke with some other mustang owners and they think it is the O2 sensors. I would think if they were bad that the Check engine light would be on all the time. As far as the lack of torque, someone told me to get the gears checked. HELP...is this two separate problems or can emissions cause that much of a power loss.

I had a similar problem, and it is covered in the FAQ's on this site. My problem was with the mass air flow sensor wires being guncked up. I'm new so that's probably not it, but check out the faq's.

 

[DFG 5OH]

i forgot about cleaning the MAF, do that and see what happens

 

[yellowstang1994]

Well if your check engine light is coming on the codes from it will tell you what the problem is right there. Work on getting the codes scanned, I think you can pick up an OBD1 scanner at pepboys for pretty cheap or maybee a shop or autozone will do it for you if they have the scanner. But you say your getting 170 miles per tank. Thats pretty low. Depending on the driving technique, however 300 is great, 200 is pretty low. 170 there is definatley something causing you to get horrible gas mileage. Have you checked your fuelfilter? It could be clogged up, I didn't see that on your list of things you did. It's like a $15 dollar part and very easy to change even if it isn't the problem. If it is clogged you could have symptoms like you describe.

 

[ccoypat]

Well if your check engine light is coming on the codes from it will tell you what the problem is right there. Work on getting the codes scanned, I think you can pick up an OBD1 scanner at pepboys for pretty cheap or maybee a shop or autozone will do it for you if they have the scanner. But you say your getting 170 miles per tank. Thats pretty low. Depending on the driving technique, however 300 is great, 200 is pretty low. 170 there is definatley something causing you to get horrible gas mileage. Have you checked your fuelfilter? It could be clogged up, I didn't see that on your list of things you did. It's like a $15 dollar part and very easy to change even if it isn't the problem. If it is clogged you could have symptoms like you describe.

Fuel filter and transmission flush was the very first thing I did. Mainly as preventive maint. I only get it above 35 mph on weekend. Work is about 3 miles away. only go about 100 miles a week. Been trying to get it scanned. People in Cali are on crack when trying to get it done for a fair price. Might just buy one. Thanks

 

[BlackVert]

But you say your getting 170 miles per tank. Thats pretty low. Depending on the driving technique, however 300 is great, 200 is pretty low. 170 there is definatley something causing you to get horrible gas mileage.

i can get about 260 (all highway) and about 200 (70% city/ 30% highway). i am usually pretty light on the gas.

like the others said, clean the maf, replace the dist cap and rotor, fuel filter, and replace the plug wires. let us know if that helps ...

 

[302fordracer]

I don't think a dirty MAF would throw a CE but you can check it...my vote goes to scanning the codes

 

[281pony]

i didnt notice, is your car bone stock?

the screws on the maf your describing sound like the aftermarket screws on the pro-m meters. they have a little dot in the center right? they are a certain kind of torx bit. never had a stock meter to compare, but possibly an aftermarket meter and some problems with the wrong calibration?

checked your compression? fuel pressure? run the codes, definately gives you the best idea/solution.

 

[Darkhorse845]

Welcome to the boards!

 

[Brian94GTVERT]

If the Maf is dirty, it will flash the CE light. Mainly during hard acceration. Had the same problem with mine and cleaning the Maf made a night and day difference. You need a T-20 taperest bit.
Make sure not to over oil the K&N filter when cleaning it, or you will be cleaning your Maf every other week.

 

[outmama]

I don't think a dirty MAF would throw a CE but you can check it...my vote goes to scanning the codes

I think that the poor running caused by the MAY have f'd the 02 sensor readings...???? cause I would throw a CE and it read 02 until I got this cleaned...but I am new, so don't take this as gospil.

 

[ccoypat]

IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!

I want to thank all of you who replied to my message. I cleaned the MAF and it is like I HAVE A NEW CAR. Can't believe the difference it makes.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[outmama]

I want to thank all of you who replied to my message. I cleaned the MAF and it is like I HAVE A NEW CAR. Can't believe the difference it makes.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cool!!! Be careful, it might be kinda fast. I clean mine every week now.