Noob to the 2.3 crowd, have a ?

Tim2002GT

Founding Member

Apr 10, 2002

635

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Tulsa, Oklahoma

Apr 10, 2008

#1

• Apr 10, 2008

• #1

I recently bought a 1992 2.3l auto mustang. It is a work in progress! First off, the car will barely accelarate. I was told that it could be a clogged cat. Well, I found a piece of straight pipe and put that on there and the problem still exists. I am thinking the timing is off. Maybe it needs a new timing belt Any suggestions are appreciated!

thanks,
Tim

edit: also, the tach isn't working. it stays on zero all the time.

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

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Nov 29, 1999

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Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Apr 10, 2008

#2

• Apr 10, 2008

• #2

Not entirely sure about the tach, but you might try replacing the TFI...

What does it do/sound like when it's barely accelerating?

 

Tim2002GT

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Apr 10, 2002

635

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Tulsa, Oklahoma

Apr 11, 2008

#3

• Apr 11, 2008

• #3

The car will not accelerate past 20 mph. With a load on the engine, it has very little power.

 

GT40 2

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Oct 13, 2004

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Apr 11, 2008

#4

• Apr 11, 2008

• #4

Is it running rough?

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

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Nov 29, 1999

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Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Apr 11, 2008

#5

• Apr 11, 2008

• #5

Tim2002GT said:

The car will not accelerate past 20 mph. With a load on the engine, it has very little power.

Click to expand...

Well yes...and again, what is it doing? Is it running rough, stumbling, sound like it's cutting out, what?

edit: I just saw that your car is DIS so it doesn't have a TFI.

 

Tim2002GT

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Apr 10, 2002

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Tulsa, Oklahoma

Apr 11, 2008

#6

• Apr 11, 2008

• #6

It idles really rough, but once the rpms are brought up above around 1800 rpm it smoothes out a little. Once in gear, the motor idles rough and it doesn't sound like it is cutting out. I can put it to the floor and the car still will not accelerate. Sorry about the vague description, but it is hard to describe!

A friend suggested maybe the rings were bad and it doesn't have enough compression to accelerate the car. I don't necessarily agree with him since the car doesn't smoke at all.

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

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124

Seattle

Apr 11, 2008

#7

• Apr 11, 2008

• #7

Verify all the timing is correct...

Sounds like when my belt slipped a few years ago...

LUK

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Apr 11, 2008

#8

• Apr 11, 2008

• #8

Sounds like very similar symptoms to the bad TFI on my old car...

Have you done a basic tuneup? There's a chance one of your coilpacks could be going out.

Honestly I don't know much about the DIS engines (never owned one), maybe somebody that does will chime in.

 

Tim2002GT

Founding Member

Apr 10, 2002

635

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Tulsa, Oklahoma

Apr 11, 2008

#9

• Apr 11, 2008

• #9

I checked all the plugs and they looked fine. The previous owner said they haven't drove the car in a while. So it definately needs a full tune up!

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

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Nov 29, 1999

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Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Apr 11, 2008

#10

• Apr 11, 2008

• #10

I'd say do that first and foremost. I've had a lot of driveability problems caused by something simple like plug wires.

Are you getting a check engine light or anything?

 

Tim2002GT

Founding Member

Apr 10, 2002

635

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Tulsa, Oklahoma

Apr 11, 2008

#11

• Apr 11, 2008

• #11

Red_LX said:

I'd say do that first and foremost. I've had a lot of driveability problems caused by something simple like plug wires.

Are you getting a check engine light or anything?

Click to expand...

First off, I appreciate everyones help! Alot of forums are so dead, it takes days before anybody responds. TGF:SNSign:!

Yes, there is a CEL on.

I'm thinking abou talking my Dad into selling me his mini-stock motor! It's a carbed 2.3 with a radical cam and alot of headwork! Probably not very streetable!

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

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Nov 29, 1999

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Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Apr 11, 2008

#12

• Apr 11, 2008

• #12

Well, we try...not fast enough for some people though

If you have a CEL, run the codes! That will be a good starting point.

And yeah you may not like that ministock motor on the street

 

Tim2002GT

Founding Member

Apr 10, 2002

635

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Tulsa, Oklahoma

May 31, 2008

#13

• May 31, 2008

• #13

Update: Today I replaced the Ignition Control Module and now the car runs great! $130 part, but it fixed my problem. Thanks for all the help!