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Out Of Nowhere, No Power, Sputters & Backfires. Same Thing At Idle Under No Load?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CNK
  • Start date Start date May 25, 2013
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CNK

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May 25, 2013
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Jul 21, 2013
#21
  • Jul 21, 2013
  • #21
This MSD distibutor has been with the car for years, it just has corrosion in it now, So im looking for way to clean the corrosion, hopefully without pulling the distributor out
 

1200gt

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
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39
Jul 22, 2013
#22
  • Jul 22, 2013
  • #22
stykthyn said:
I would pull the MSD piece and replace it with a stocker. The MSD distributors are notorious for crapping out.
Click to expand...


I agree with the MSD replacement. You should be able to find a good downer at your JY, that-is, if you don't want to spend too much $$$. Probably many members on this site will have stock distributors laying on their extra parts shelves.

TUNE_UPS amazing what a frequent tune-up reveals....

Running low on FUEL can bring on many running issues especially when trash is picked-up from the bottom of the tank, especially in these older Stangs. Another issues is that the fuel pump is kept cool by the actual liquid gas in the tank. When the fuel in the tank is below the pump level, the pump is no longer dissipating heat into the cooler fuel, thus running low on gas regularly can cause premature pump failure.

Tell this to your wife... lol

Poster, please let us know what actually fixes the problem. Thanks
 

1200gt

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Jul 22, 2013
#23
  • Jul 22, 2013
  • #23
CNK said:
So today I checked for power at the coil and so forth and I did have my 12 volts, I did have spark at the distributor end of the coil wire. I bought new wires and a spare coil wire to check if that spark was any different with new wires, it was NOT. What I did find is that I lost spark at #1 plug regardless of new or old wires. So then I look to the distributor, I pull the distributor cap, and EVERYTHING is corroded, the points, the rotor tip, and even the stator.

What is recommended to cleaning this corrosion? Preferably without having to pull the distributor. It is an MSD distributor.

Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Try cleaning the MSD piece up first.

Replace the cap, rotor and other stuff that may be in the MSD, I don't run one - they are pretty, but stock cars don't really benefit from one.

Pay attention to Jrichkers advice about the Control Module - Not a very expensive part to replace to have future peace of mind....

but I agree with the MSD replacement. You should be able to find a good downer at your JY, that-is, if you don't want to spend too much $$$. Probably many members on this site will have stock distributors laying on their extra parts shelves.
 
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billl

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Nov 24, 2018
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las vegas
Nov 25, 2018
#24
  • Nov 25, 2018
  • #24
CNK said:
I was driving my 91 mustang for about an hour. even sat in stop and go traffic for 30 minutes. Everything was absolutely fine. Turned the last corner to go home, and the car seemed to sputter as if it was gonna run out of gas (As I knew the gas was close to being empty), so I immediately went to the gas station, left it running while putting gas in it. Drove fine to the gas station, idled fine at the gas station, when finished and went to pull away from the gas station, big sputter & backfire, and complete power loss. Regardless of rpm, load, in gear or in idle. I sputtered and backfired around the block to the house never getting over 3 mph, never get any rpm up, just bump along and not trying to stall. This was late at night.

Next morning got up, cranked the car up and same things.

Please advise, cause I have no idea where this even started!!!
Click to expand...
I have the exact problem only it happened out of the blue when trying to start one day did you fix it?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
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polk county florida
Nov 25, 2018
#25
  • Nov 25, 2018
  • #25
I hope he fixed it, it was 5 years ago. Look for the date stamp in the upper left corner
 
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billl

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las vegas
Nov 26, 2018
#26
  • Nov 26, 2018
  • #26
General karthief said:
I hope he fixed it, it was 5 years ago. Look for the date stamp in the upper left corner
Click to expand...
I was just hoping he still uses this site
 

jrichker

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Nov 26, 2018
#27
  • Nov 26, 2018
  • #27
billl said:
I was just hoping he still uses this site
Click to expand...
Start your own thread and I will attempt to help you...
 
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billl

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las vegas
Nov 26, 2018
#28
  • Nov 26, 2018
  • #28
88 stang GT conv went to start it and it sputtered hard would not start till cranked it awhile then had to pepper the gas to get it to idle backfires and stalls if I give it gas backfires,popping,cant handle load Cleaned Idle control valve no change thought gas gauge wrong so added 5gal gas thought I fixed it then tried to drive no way bucking, sputter, backfire. Glanced at vacuum lines no obvious problem. NEXT will now change gas filter inspect vacuum lines better and get code tester I have over the year done EVERYTHING to this car my self I am an ex auto and aircraft mech. now disabled and wear leg braces
 
Last edited: Nov 26, 2018
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billl

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las vegas
Nov 26, 2018
#29
  • Nov 26, 2018
  • #29
Need to fix by Dec. 4th actually was on my way to get smog test for reggie when this happened typical
 
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