• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech

is my car dead

  • Thread starter Thread starter kenzo0315
  • Start date Start date Jun 30, 2025
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jun 30, 2025
#1
  • Jun 30, 2025
  • #1
Hello everyone thank for stopping by and reading this i need some help with my 99 3.8L i haven't been able to figure out what was wrong with it for almost a month now from what i can recall the day when it stopped working i had to get a jump in the morning to get to work made it to work then when it was time for my lunch break i coudlnt get the car to start up my co worker cam over to give me a jump no dice he had a spare battery in his truck and it started up i shortly went back to work when it was time to get home the car started up normally no issues maybe 15 mins into the drive during the drive i traffic was coming up and i needed to slow down a bit went for downshift (4th-3rd) and the car felt so weak and the car got abnormally loud it didnt sound like anything was grinding or broken the exhuast just became louder than normal the car itself is pretty loud already but, The sound was unbearable. I hit the gas pedal, and the car wouldn't accelerate; it just kept coasting. Even switching gears didn't change anything; none of them seemed to respond to the throttle. I would hit the gas, and I would hear the engine, but it just wasn't going anywhere. I finally made it to the side of the highway and tried to get the car back on. It would crank, but it wouldn't start. I called my co-worker to see if a jump would help, and it didn't. He put his working battery out of his truck into mine, but no luck. The car's been sitting for almost a month, and I don't know what I'm doing or what I should be looking for. It would be great to get some input from anyone who can help. Thank you.
 
Last edited: Jul 1, 2025

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,867
10,541
203
polk county florida
Jun 30, 2025
#2
  • Jun 30, 2025
  • #2
Welcome to
Moved this here for the sn95 crowd to help you but I will get this party started.
Do you have the tools and basic knowledge to tackle this yourself?
 

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#3
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #3
i have a decent amount of knowledge and a good inventory of tools I'm down to try whatever can help out and ready to listen to any advice you have for me
 

RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT
Mod Dude
Jul 20, 2014
4,734
3,179
203
Taylorsville ky
Jul 1, 2025
#4
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #4
I would vote to start with the basics- Fuel•Air•Spark. Which one do you not have?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,867
10,541
203
polk county florida
Jul 1, 2025
#5
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #5
I would start by doing a compression test,
A quick test would be to pull the distributor cap and spin the engine over and see if the rotor turns. I say that because you mentioned the change in exhaust tone.
 

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#6
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #6
gonna give the car a look in a bit and test that out
 

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#7
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #7
RaggedGT said:
I would vote to start with the basics- Fuel•Air•Spark. Which one do you not have?
Click to expand...
only checked for fuel, and I can confirm that I'm getting fuel. I didn't do a pressure test, but I'm getting fuel nonetheless. I replaced the fuel filter not too long ago, and it's working fine don't know how to check for spark or air just yet, still learning.
 

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#8
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #8
General karthief said:
I would start by doing a compression test,
A quick test would be to pull the distributor cap and spin the engine over and see if the rotor turns. I say that because you mentioned the change in exhaust tone.
Click to expand...
went to pull off the i don't think my year has rotor style system, besides that I went to go turn the crank bolt and 15/16 6-point would not stay in there snug The bolt looks like this, not sure if it's rounded of,f but the socket would catch on some parts of the bolt but not all
 

RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT
Mod Dude
Jul 20, 2014
4,734
3,179
203
Taylorsville ky
Jul 1, 2025
#9
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #9
Pretty sure you have a distributor-less ignition system , should have coil pack(s).

Will it crank with the key?
 

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#10
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #10
RaggedGT said:
Pretty sure you have a distributor-less ignition system , should have coil pack(s).

Will it crank with the key?
Click to expand...
I have these if this is what you're referring to, and yes, it cranks when I turn the key, but now I hear a single click of the starter and no crank, not sure if I burnt out my starter or not (the wires were not out when I tried cranking)
 
Reactions: RaggedGT

RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT
Mod Dude
Jul 20, 2014
4,734
3,179
203
Taylorsville ky
Jul 1, 2025
#11
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #11
kenzo0315 said:
I have these if this is what you're referring to, and yes, it cranks when I turn the key, but now I hear a single click of the starter and no crank, not sure if I burnt out my starter or not (the wires were not out when I tried cranking)
Click to expand...
Yup,those are coil packs. As a great car whisperer once said” All good projects start with a Battery on boil.” Lol
Make sure you have a charged battery- then verify you have power to the starter
 

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#12
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #12
RaggedGT said:
Yup,those are coil packs. As a great car whisperer once said” All good projects start with a Battery on boil.” Lol
Make sure you have a charged battery- then verify you have power to the starter
Click to expand...
I'm on my 4th battery, before one of them was brand new, and the others were used. How would I test if power is going to the starter though?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,867
10,541
203
polk county florida
Jul 1, 2025
#13
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #13
Ok, no distributor so that leaves me out, only suggestion I can make is to buy a repair manual, sounds like you be learn'n stuff.
And a digital volt/olm meter to test the starter/battery and wires.
 

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#14
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #14
General karthief said:
Ok, no distributor so that leaves me out, only suggestion I can make is to buy a repair manual, sounds like you be learn'n stuff.
And a digital volt/olm meter to test the starter/battery and wires.
Click to expand...
Got a volt meter, all the batteries I had were well above 12.4V and even had them on jumper cables while cranking, no dice though. Is there a specific repair manual you have in mind?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,867
10,541
203
polk county florida
Jul 1, 2025
#15
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #15
I try to get Ford manuals that match my year but a Haynes or similar are helpful and available at most parts stores, I got my assembly manual off ebay years ago.
 

Mcmahst

5 Year Member
Jan 19, 2021
666
261
83
Laguna Woods CA, fort Mohave AZ
Jul 1, 2025
#16
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #16
I wonder if pulling codes would be a good start? The whole situation with the issues of the engine running/loud engine, etc are likely not related to the starter. But, here is an updated engine specific guide to test the starter:

How To Test The Starter Motor (1995-1998 3.8L V6 Ford Mustang)

How To Test The Starter Motor. 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 3.8L V6 Ford Mustang.
easyautodiagnostics.com
 
Reactions: Noobz347

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#17
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #17
Mcmahst said:
I wonder if pulling codes would be a good start? The whole situation with the issues of the engine running/loud engine, etc are likely not related to the starter. But, here is an updated engine specific guide to test the starter:

How To Test The Starter Motor (1995-1998 3.8L V6 Ford Mustang)

How To Test The Starter Motor. 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 3.8L V6 Ford Mustang.
easyautodiagnostics.com
Click to expand...
Going to check out the link to the article you sent, thank you. As for codes, I'm not sure I have any recent codes due to the car sitting for so long not connected to a battery. Not sure if the ECU has anything recent, but anyway, these are the codes that I got
 

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#18
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #18
General karthief said:
I try to get Ford manuals that match my year but a Haynes or similar are helpful and available at most parts stores, I got my assembly manual off ebay years ago.
Click to expand...
Going to look into it right now. Thanks for your help
 

Mcmahst

5 Year Member
Jan 19, 2021
666
261
83
Laguna Woods CA, fort Mohave AZ
Jul 1, 2025
#19
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #19
I think that B1353 might be part of the problem. Google that because it sounds like your starting issues.
 

kenzo0315

Member
Jun 17, 2025
21
1
13
Miami
Jul 1, 2025
#20
  • Jul 1, 2025
  • #20
Mcmahst said:
I think that B1353 might be part of the problem. Google that because it sounds like your starting issues.
Click to expand...
The B1353 Ford diagnostic trouble code (DTC) refers to an issue with the Ignition Key-In Circuit Open. This code indicates that the vehicle's computer has detected an open circuit in the ignition key-in circuit, which is responsible for detecting whether the ignition key is inserted in the ignition switch. The ignition key-in circuit is crucial for various vehicle functions, including starting the engine, enabling accessories, and preventing theft. https://www.engine-codes.com/b1353_ford.html

It honestly might be the root of my issue. What would be the next course of action?
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
warmed up, hard re-starting on hot days
  • michaelleewebb
  • Mar 26, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
9
Views
231
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Mar 29, 2026
michaelleewebb
M
D
Fox won't crank over and fuel pump won't kick on.
  • djj62478
  • Jun 7, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
16
Views
249
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 11, 2026
General karthief
Electrical Issues with my 2006 mustang gt
  • VerneVdV
  • May 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
0
Views
52
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech May 22, 2026
VerneVdV
L
1997 V6 Starting issue
  • leanzik04
  • Mar 20, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
215
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Mar 20, 2026
Noobz347
E
2007 GT Stalls when lights or a/c turned on
  • ejscarfo
  • Jun 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
57
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech Today at 10:58 AM
ejscarfo
E
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 V6 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?