Engine Information that is Needed When You Post a "Car is not Running" or "Car is Running Poorly" Thread

AeroCoupe · Apr 28, 2025

For the love of all car things holy when you are thinking about starting a thread that has anything to do with the car not running properly or not running at all please look at the top of this forum in the "STICKY THREADS" and see if any of that really useful information helps before you start typing away there JK Rowling.

Some basic things you need to start your thread with are the following:

What car is it? Most will be a Fox Mustang but there are questions on Fox power trains swapped into other vehicles.
What year is it? If it is a swap what year did the donor parts come out of?
If the power train is not stock please sweet 8 pound baby jesus list what is not stock.
If the car has a chip then that is something we need to know.
If the car has an aftermarket ECU (Holley, Pro-M, MSPnP, MegaSquirt, etc.) then you need to post in the "Digital Self-tuning Forum" here as that is were you will find the most help.
Basically if a part is not a stock part or stock replacement part list it.

Now here is the big one...pull codes you SOB. A little hint, the CEL (check engine light) will only illuminate on emissions related codes. Does this mean that if the CEL is not illuminated there will not be any codes? Well the short answer like the bus you rode into this thread on is no and hell no (remember I drove the bus so...). There can be codes with no CEL illuminated so pull the damn codes. IF the car will run then get it up to operating temperature so you can properly pull KOEO and KOER codes. See how to pull codes (even if your car does not have a CEL) here:

Electrical Thread 'How To Pull Codes From EEC-IV In 86- 95 5.0 Mustangs'

Jan 27, 2016

@Noobz347 - The code dump procedure isn't in the sticky - you may want to add it...

Dump the codes: Codes may be present even if the Check Engine Light (CEL) isn't on.

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.

Codes may be present even if the check engine light hasn’t come on, so be sure to check for them.

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...

Now if your car will crank but not start again we beg you please read this thread (in its entirety) and then work through the steps that @jrichker so painstakingly put together as is has helped most if not all of us at some point. Not working through the steps in the order given and fixing things as needed and then going back through the steps as given is the path to failure so again please follow the yellow brick road.

The more information you put in your first post will help those who choose to wade off in the waters of internet car repair help you get to the problem and a solution much quicker.

Mods, feel free to delete this if need be but I am just tired of pulling teeth to get information to help those that think we are there with them in the driveway looking at whatever the heck it is they are working on.

Noobz347 · Apr 28, 2025

My first response was the laughing smiley but folks might think it's a joke.

It's not a joke.

My favorite are the "What is this random button for on this car I bought that's changed hands 1000 times before I got it?". No make, model, year... nothing.

--or--

"What is the exact size, weight, thickness, and thread-pitch of the part that I'm currently holding in my hand?"

Of course, the ultimate is getting a list of "issues" with [zero] diagnostic information and being told that there are "no codes" when nobody has even bothered to check. I should never see or hear the terms, "No codes". On OBD-1, that means you got a "Code 10" at the very minimum.

I guess it is easier to lie than to bother with checking codes. Nobody has to get out of their seat.

nickyb · Apr 28, 2025

Fox body owners need not be so lazy, our cars are simp!y enough just do the basics before posting.

Noobz347 · Apr 28, 2025

You know what we should do...

Create an, "All Noobs Start Here" thread. I'll have to consider how to implement such a thing.

Perhaps a 'form' requiring basic info for New Member groups creating New threads in Tech.

General karthief · Apr 29, 2025

If they (noobz looking for an answer) don't read the forum posting rules what makes you think they will read this???
I can bet a house payment (yours because I don't have a mortgage) a noobie will post up a 'what's this part' or 'what's the best muffler' or 'why does my car not run right' question within a week.
'Instant gratification ' mentality of youth today are looking for the 'majic bullitt' (part) that will make everything good in their motoring world again.
Another point I'll make, that we already know, they will get a ' change this part' opinion online and go to their mechanic and will interject some off the wall repair they want them (the mechanic) to do because 'it's on the internet '

Noobz347 · Apr 29, 2025

General karthief said:
If they (noobz looking for an answer) don't read the forum posting rules what makes you think they will read this???

This is the portion that I am considering...

If I create a form that needs to be filled out by specific user groups when they start a thread then it might cut down on a lot of it.

I mean: We all, are familiar with the forum and where to look and what to do... Somebody coming in for the first time can get buried by it all.

If I create a form for [New Members] that has to be completed to create a new thread, then it might help the newbies and cut down on the face-palms. I don't know about you guys but when I come across a thread that is essentially, 'nonsense' then I just move on.

We can come up with a set of fields to be completed. I have to check on implementation tho. What I [don't] want is for experienced members to have do deal with the same form every time they create a thread. That part is not productive.

I would not put these forms in the Talk section. That puts the onus on seasoned members to direct New Members to create their thread in the appropriate section if they start out in Talk with the very BS we're describing.

It would also mean that with few exceptions, we would stop moving threads from Talk to Tech even if they lean in that direction.

Noobz347 · Apr 29, 2025

General karthief said:
that we already know, they will get a ' change this part' opinion online and go to their mechanic and will interject some off the wall repair they want them (the mechanic) to do because 'it's on the internet '

I don't concern myself with the relationships between Members and their mechanics. LoL That portion is the mechanic's cross to bear.

AeroCoupe · Apr 29, 2025

Can you tie it to the number of posts? I understand that someone with one post may be super knowledgeable so they may see that as unfair but if that is the case they can plead it to one of the mods where a mod can make the decision on turning that feature off for them. For those of us with the required number of posts I think the form or whatever should still pop up but give us the option of not filling out by closing it. Not sure what all the forum software will allow you guys to do.

General karthief · Apr 29, 2025

Just leave this alone, I know "old man talk'n" about change but look at it this way, if you make it time consuming to enter into the 'fold' they will go elsewhere, some will stay around,
If the post gets 'hits' then good, you will either educate them and win a member or they can try facepage for answers they like.

Noobz347 · Apr 29, 2025

It will take my a little time to find something that fits the bill. I have to look into it more.

Here is what I imagine:

New Member User Group:

[Post New Thread]

Year: xxxx Make: Ford Model: Mustang Trim: LX/GT/Other

Miles: xxxxxx Codes: (post will not create without acceptable 2 digit codes or a "10" in the first field)

Mods: HCI/Blower/Turbo/Nitrous

MAF: OEM/Aftermarket Injectors Size lbs/hr: xx Tune: Yes/No Chip: Yes/No OEM ECU: Yes/No

Last maintenance performed before the trouble arose: (cannot be left blank)

Once the form is filled, they will be taken to the comment box, not before.

We don't need to list every possibility, we only need to get folks to "think" about it when they're creating their thread. For instance, The line about Mods. We don't need a form that requires a litany of every mod... We just need to provoke the New Member to start thinking about it. People by nature, love to talk about their own so... The seed is planted.

Of course, we can tailor what's on the form to fit. What I have above is a "for instance". Feel free to suggest other fields that should be mandatory.

Noobz347 · Apr 29, 2025

Something else just occurred to me...

By putting this into place, it also encourages New Members to add on to their threads instead of creating a new one. That has [also] been an issue lately. I honestly, do [not] need a new thread for each and every leak, noise, vibration, or blown fuse in a car.

AeroCoupe · Apr 29, 2025

General karthief said:
Just leave this alone, I know "old man talk'n" about change but look at it this way, if you make it time consuming to enter into the 'fold' they will go elsewhere, some will stay around,
If the post gets 'hits' then good, you will either educate them and win a member or they can try facepage for answers they like.

Man I hear you but they are leaving FB in droves due to the amount of BS information and how unorganized the structure is. At least here you can follow a thread. Making them think and provide some basic information is the least anyone can do. If they just drop their car off at the mechanic, tell them to fix it, walk off and then hope for the best then maybe owning a car like these is not in their best interest.

General karthief · Apr 29, 2025

Best I can say is K.I.S.(for the)S.

limp · Apr 30, 2025

While were on this, I have a car and it don't run good.. Any help here?

RaggedGT · Apr 30, 2025

limp said:
While were on this, I have a car and it don't run good.. Any help here?

This’ll Fix it

LILCBRA · Apr 30, 2025

Noobz347 said:
It will take my a little time to find something that fits the bill. I have to look into it more.

Here is what I imagine:

New Member User Group:

[Post New Thread]

Year: xxxx Make: Ford Model: Mustang Trim: LX/GT/Other

Miles: xxxxxx Codes: (post will not create without acceptable 2 digit codes or a "10" in the first field)

Mods: HCI/Blower/Turbo/Nitrous

MAF: OEM/Aftermarket Injectors Size lbs/hr: xx Tune: Yes/No Chip: Yes/No OEM ECU: Yes/No

Last maintenance performed before the trouble arose: (cannot be left blank)

Once the form is filled, they will be taken to the comment box, not before.

We don't need to list every possibility, we only need to get folks to "think" about it when they're creating their thread. For instance, The line about Mods. We don't need a form that requires a litany of every mod... We just need to provoke the New Member to start thinking about it. People by nature, love to talk about their own so... The seed is planted.

Of course, we can tailor what's on the form to fit. What I have above is a "for instance". Feel free to suggest other fields that should be mandatory.

How about a "garage" in our profile? Then, when making posts, somehow link a specific car from your garage (if you have more than one) to the post and adding one or 2 prompts like you're suggesting. That way people can have their mods listed, update them as needed (or wanted....), and still utilize the garage for other posts. I'm thinking something along the lines as Summit has....

Noobz347 · Apr 30, 2025

LILCBRA said:
How about a "garage" in our profile? Then, when making posts, somehow link a specific car from your garage (if you have more than one) to the post and adding one or 2 prompts like you're suggesting. That way people can have their mods listed, update them as needed (or wanted....), and still utilize the garage for other posts. I'm thinking something along the lines as Summit has....

That's what signatures are for.

LILCBRA · Apr 30, 2025

Noobz347 said:
That's what signatures are for.

Signatures are pretty limited though. Here's a screenshot of Summit's garage if you've not seen it. I don't know how much anyone does on there other than use it for themselves, but it seems it would be fairly handy here - or it at least has the opportunity to be....

I've not done a lot on there, either - but I don't use it for anything other than to just have something there. It seems like a cool concept, but there's no interaction as far as I'm aware - here, on the other hand.... Now if one could link something like this, or somehow utilize the information posted here, in a technical help thread, it has the possibility of having a lot of information that someone wouldn't have to continue to add to posts. Just a thought....

Noobz347 · Apr 30, 2025

LILCBRA said:
Signatures are pretty limited though. Here's a screenshot of Summit's garage if you've not seen it. I don't know how much anyone does on there other than use it for themselves, but it seems it would be fairly handy here - or it at least has the opportunity to be....

I've not done a lot on there, either - but I don't use it for anything other than to just have something there. It seems like a cool concept, but there's no interaction as far as I'm aware - here, on the other hand.... Now if one could link something like this, or somehow utilize the information posted here, in a technical help thread, it has the possibility of having a lot of information that someone wouldn't have to continue to add to posts. Just a thought....

I dunno man. If we were anything aside from a [forum] where folks can post their Progress and Project threads while simultaneously getting feedback then I could see having something like that. We even have [Albums] here. It's a feature that is rarely used.

LILCBRA · Apr 30, 2025

Like I said, just a thought. If it were used properly I could see it being really useful. The issue I think I see is a bunch of newbs come in, ask questions like you said earlier; "What is this (aftermarket) button for" that's stuck somewhere no button should be, then disappear once they figure out they're asking some questions that they could've figured out on their own if they had the gumption to do more than take a pic and ask someone else. I don't mind pointing out stuff like that sometimes, but it does get old. Damned helpless kids and instant gratification....

Engine Information that is Needed When You Post a "Car is not Running" or "Car is Running Poorly" Thread

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Electrical Thread 'How To Pull Codes From EEC-IV In 86- 95 5.0 Mustangs'

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

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