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is it missing or what?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 88mustangGT
  • Start date Start date Aug 16, 2004
8

88mustangGT

New Member
Apr 6, 2003
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Aug 16, 2004
#1
  • Aug 16, 2004
  • #1
basically this is saying my car has a bad idel and loss of power.

from the start of things my car was detonating due to the increase in climate here in az. of course i didn’t realize that and thought it was the fuel pump so theres a new 255 in there now. then i tried a higher octane and presto no more detonation. However my car still isnt running right, it has a rough idle and a lose in power. the car idles smooth for about 20-30 sec after start up then started sputtering and kind like surging but only 20-100 rpm not much at all it almost sound like there is a cam in it (i donor if you can get the pic but ya).i put a new cap and rotor new wires. still nothing. my tps sensor my be in the fritz but im not 100% sure and i dont think that would contribute to it. do you? basically i dono what to try here without going out and buying a million things. any help would be appreciated.
 
8

88mustangGT

New Member
Apr 6, 2003
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Aug 16, 2004
#2
  • Aug 16, 2004
  • #2
oh and it has a ticking sound from the passanger side of the motor. and the exhaust note is a lil worse on that side as well
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
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129
Aug 16, 2004
#3
  • Aug 16, 2004
  • #3
as a fellow AZ stanger, i know what you man about detonation. in winter i run at 15* base timing, and now im at 10* (always 87 octane).

have you cleaned your IAC? that is where i would start. then pull codes. you will need a 25 dollar code reader or a test light, since our CEL's dont work.

good luck.
 
8

88mustangGT

New Member
Apr 6, 2003
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Aug 16, 2004
#4
  • Aug 16, 2004
  • #4
a friend has a code scaner ill pull them as soon as i can. i ran a bottle of carb cleaner threw the part withe the butterflys in it.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Aug 16, 2004
#5
  • Aug 16, 2004
  • #5
the IAC (idle air controller, or IAB - idle air bypass) is the cylinder lookin deal on the front of the TB. two fasteners, IIRC, and it comes off. clean it up - make sure the pintle moves freely.

good call on pulling codes - just in case there is something in there that leads to a cause.
good luck.
 
8

88mustangGT

New Member
Apr 6, 2003
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0
Aug 16, 2004
#6
  • Aug 16, 2004
  • #6
its clean and moves freely. what would cause it to run fine for a few sec then go into like a limp mode?
 

_jb_

New Member
Mar 4, 2004
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Michigan, Berrien County
Aug 16, 2004
#7
  • Aug 16, 2004
  • #7
Kinda the reverse of what you have, but in the winter my truck will run like crap. It has killed on me quite a few times when I would let off the gas and coast. Other times it would sputter at about 200 RPMs, and of course everything in the cab dims down beacuse the alternator can't support the power draw at those RPMs. I have even installed a block heater, but it will still do it. Replaced the cap and roater, which was all dirty and such, but no fix.
 
8

88mustangGT

New Member
Apr 6, 2003
298
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Aug 16, 2004
#8
  • Aug 16, 2004
  • #8
is there a way its like a bad fuel injector?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Aug 16, 2004
#9
  • Aug 16, 2004
  • #9
really need to pull codes at this point. when you do it, run a balance test. this will test the injectors - if the initial test fails, it will retest (up to two more times, IIRC) with different criteria, to ensure that the injectors are working.

good luck.
 
8

88mustangGT

New Member
Apr 6, 2003
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Aug 17, 2004
#10
  • Aug 17, 2004
  • #10
how do you run the ballance test?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Aug 17, 2004
#11
  • Aug 17, 2004
  • #11
balance test is part of the code scanning process. your friend should have a manual for his code reader, and the test should be outlined in the manual. if not, Jrichker's code links and the manual should also outline the test. neat little test. good luck.
 
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