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Mustang keeps randomly Stalling Please Help!

  • Thread starter Thread starter 97woodward
  • Start date Start date Apr 8, 2008

97woodward

New Member
Feb 25, 2008
21
0
0
Ann Arbor, MI
Apr 8, 2008
#1
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #1
I posted this issue a while back , but it just happened again. I will repost the situation:

97 GT automatic with 87k on it. The car as a few modifications done but nothing major (no blower or anything). The problem Im having has occured since I first bought the car two years ago.

The problem is the car stalling out randomly. It will, or only has stalled out when im at a stop with my foot on the brake. It dies normally so quickly that i dont even have time to check to see if the rpms are dropping. I have replaced my IAC valve also. It has occurred probably around 5 times in two years.

The car will stall out, I will try to start it and it seems like it almost catches but not quite for around 15 min. The time it takes for it to get started has increased each time it has stalled. Also, when I am trying to start it about after 2 min of trying it starts to give off a very strange smell I cant identify. It doesnt shoot a trouble code or anything and typically after i do get it started again it will show NO signs of stalling again until about 3 months later when it randomly happens again.

I have recently done a full tune-up and got my transmission serviced to try and solve the problem but sure enough one of the random stall outs happened about 3 weeks after the tune up. I have taken it to the Ford dealership and they pretty much tell me the same as everywhere- If it doesnt happen while they drive it they cant diagnose it. And it will cost a ton for them to just go through possibilites, so I am trying to get your opinion of what some of the best places to start are.

The car has given me some trouble starting before in the past which was caused by my theft system activating (i believe). The theft light would flash and it took around 3-4 min for it to start, it did that about twice and hasnt happened in a long time. I dont think this would cause it to stall out though. The car normally starts perfectly though.

The only other thing I would like to mention to you about the situation is something new that happened after this most recent stall out. The car made a strange clunking noise which seemed to occur under the hood right as it started up after the 15-20 min of trying. After it did that it is continueing to make that strange clunking noise nearly every time it starts. The split second before the car will fire up I here this strange clunk that is somewhat hard to describe. Any help on this is very appreciated. Its making driving not nearly as much fun. Its in the shop now getting some suspension work and gears installed as well as a tune, Im hoping he'll find something but if you have some ideas I would like to run it by him. Thanks alot and sorry soo long!


Ok now I talked to a master mechanic today and he said that it sounds like the T.P. S (Throttle Positioning system i think) could be out of calibration. Does this sound like this could be the problem? Ive replaced the fuel filter already and have had the fuel system cleaned. I did an entire full tuneup and tried to replace any of the basic problems it may be. So ive got suggestions from a few people about this. The T.P.S is the most recent suggestion, but ive also been told that the Crank Sensor may need to be replaced or the ignition control module. Another person told me that it may be the IAT sensor and that i should replace that, what do you guys think? This problem is killing me, I am always in fear when i drive now. Any help is greatly appreciated.
 

blkhorse

Founding Member
Oct 30, 1999
345
1
18
Apr 8, 2008
#2
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #2
have you checked the fuel pressure and volume when it will not start?
 

rabidscoobie

10 Year Member
Jun 21, 2007
616
12
48
College Station,TX
Apr 8, 2008
#3
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #3
97woodward said:
The only other thing I would like to mention to you about the situation is something new that happened after this most recent stall out. The car made a strange clunking noise which seemed to occur under the hood right as it started up after the 15-20 min of trying. After it did that it is continueing to make that strange clunking noise nearly every time it starts. The split second before the car will fire up I here this strange clunk that is somewhat hard to describe. Any help on this is very appreciated. Its making driving not nearly as much fun. Its in the shop now getting some suspension work and gears installed as well as a tune, Im hoping he'll find something but if you have some ideas I would like to run it by him. Thanks alot and sorry soo long!


Ok now I talked to a master mechanic today and he said that it sounds like the T.P. S (Throttle Positioning system i think) could be out of calibration. Does this sound like this could be the problem? Ive replaced the fuel filter already and have had the fuel system cleaned. I did an entire full tuneup and tried to replace any of the basic problems it may be. So ive got suggestions from a few people about this. The T.P.S is the most recent suggestion, but ive also been told that the Crank Sensor may need to be replaced or the ignition control module. Another person told me that it may be the IAT sensor and that i should replace that, what do you guys think? This problem is killing me, I am always in fear when i drive now. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Well mine is doing something similar that started yesterday.86k on it.I get that weird hard to describe clunk at start up almost everytime,but before that I was having stall probs,replaced the plugs helped to keep it from stalling but i still get that clunk,and now it feels like the clutch or something is grabbing while driving and shifting through the gears,kinda like trying to go while putting some pressure on the brakes,800 miles ago had new clutch and tranny rebuild,please help...im so lost.
 

blkhorse

Founding Member
Oct 30, 1999
345
1
18
Apr 8, 2008
#4
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #4
as far as the clunking,check the tightness of your torq. conv
 

97woodward

New Member
Feb 25, 2008
21
0
0
Ann Arbor, MI
Apr 8, 2008
#5
  • Apr 8, 2008
  • #5
thats wierd rabid, I am at 86K also. I have no clue what this could be, what do you guys think about the TPS, I heard it could be out of calibration
 

screamin gt

5 Year Member
Apr 9, 2007
393
6
28
central CT
Apr 9, 2008
#6
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #6
tps is only $30 at auto zone and 2 screws to change it...

kind of doubt thats the problem. fuel filter maybe. $7 or 8 dollars worth a shot.
 

mrvax

Stay thirsty my friends
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,225
3
79
SN Moderator: Orlando, Fl.
Apr 9, 2008
#7
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #7
I suspect the mechanic may be right. (TPS). Fuel filters when going bad are usually at their worst while under acceleration.
 

tank_567

Active Member
Mar 19, 2007
731
26
29
Raleigh, Nc
Apr 9, 2008
#8
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #8
clean the EGR, or replace it.
 

97woodward

New Member
Feb 25, 2008
21
0
0
Ann Arbor, MI
Apr 9, 2008
#9
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #9
Already replaced the EGR system and the Fuel Filter just recently.
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
1,233
1
0
Carmel, INdiana
Apr 9, 2008
#10
  • Apr 9, 2008
  • #10
Also, be it very rarely, the FRPS or relay malfunction and go out (usually you'll have the similar symptoms to what you're saying but throw a P0190 code also).
 
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