Just bought a 1996 GT

Feethurt

New Member
Dec 22, 2018
5
0
1
Indianapolis
Hello everyone,
I just bought a 1996 Mustang GT 5 speed. It was really cheap because the PO thought the engine had failed. Turns out the gas gauge was just broken, and it was out of gas, and it needed a new battery.

I drove it 100 miles to get home, and it mostly did okay except for a few things: first, the engine cut out a few times. Only ever while the headlights were on (possibly a coincidence) and only when I pressed the clutch in. It fired back up every time. No codes. It definitely needs a tune-up and all fluids, I think I'll do that and go from there.

Also it won't go into second. It has an aftermarket shifter that I can try adjusting, but I think the problem is probably the fork being bent. I will look into having the transmission rebuilt by one of a few local specialists here in Indianapolis, or seeing if I can find a junkyard replacement. Were there any cars besides the Mustang that had a T45? What models can I source a replacement transmission from? Does it have to be a 1996-2004 GT?

Someone installed a terrible aftermarket sunroof at some point. It doesn't leak too badly but there's no headliner. I'm not quite sure what to do about this.

I'll post pictures and updates here. I'm not totally sure what I'm going to do with this car, but it was way too cheap to pass up and will give me something fun to drive while I'm fixing rust on my 1970 Mustang. Any advice and input is appreciated!
 
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The quitting for no apparent reason with fairly easy restart is also a symptom of a bad battery, loose battery cable, or weak ground.

Howto perform charging system voltage drop test
https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-fo...perform-charging-system-voltage-drop-test.56/

Do you have an ODB2 scanner? If not consider getting one. It will change the way that you trouble shoot a modern car forever.

ForScan ODB2 scanner w ELM327 USB
https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/resources/forscan-odb2-scanner-w-elm327-usb.57/

I put some information about transmission speed sensors in your other thread.
 
I've checked all the fuses. I took the speed sensor out and spun it, and measured 0.5VAC on my multimeter, so the speed sensor seems to be good. Why else might the spedometer not be working?

The ABS light is on. I did the diagnostic procedure and got code 31, followed by 41, which seems to suggest a problem with the front-right speed sensor. I can't find a new one for a 1996 anywhere though.
 
I've checked all the fuses. I took the speed sensor out and spun it, and measured 0.5VAC on my multimeter, so the speed sensor seems to be good. Why else might the spedometer not be working?
The Speedometer does NOT use the wheel speed sensors. Uses the transmission VSS sensor. Have you reviewed the information about the VSS and OSS sensors? WHAT does the PCM "say" the car's speed is? Will need an ODB2 scanner.

Have you confirmed that the VSS sensor is actually turning and producing voltage while the transmission is turning. Sometimes all of the teeth of the worm gear will wear down. This causes the transmission to turn but not the VSS sensor.

The problem could also be in the wiring.

If no speed at the PCM, then trouble shoot the VSS sensor.

If there is a speed in the PCM, then trouble shoot the cluster.

I can't find a new one for a 1996 anywhere though.
How about RockAuto?
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=380991&cc=1134223&jsn=496