• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Runs like crap during warm up

  • Thread starter Thread starter Batterystang
  • Start date Start date Jan 29, 2006

Batterystang

Founding Member
Jun 11, 2002
126
0
0
North Carolina
Jan 29, 2006
#1
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #1
My car runs like complete garbage when trying to warm up. It only does this when it's completely cold, IE, in the morning or whenever it sits for a long time. It's hard to rev, will barely idle, idle bounces around from 500-1000. It seems as if the timing is off during warm up. Also earlier this morning after about a 15 minute warm up (me holding gas pedal at 1500 rpms) it went from garbage to perfect, easy to rev, idled right at 1000 rpms, and ran great besides my vacuum problem (only 2 HG at idle).

My idea of the problem is, the timing is bouncing around... But I dont know what is causing it.
 
D

Daggar

New Member
Jul 19, 2004
3,902
5
0
Jan 29, 2006
#2
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #2
Looking at your description and your mod list, i'd say that your open loop tune might require some tweaking.
 

Batterystang

Founding Member
Jun 11, 2002
126
0
0
North Carolina
Jan 29, 2006
#3
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #3
Say I start it, and it's running like crap, I immediately turn it off, unplug the o2's, and then start it again. Will it still run the same? How would this custom Autologic chip respond? Would that then tell me, that it needs more tweaking or a o2 is bad if it runs fine after that?
 
D

Daggar

New Member
Jul 19, 2004
3,902
5
0
Jan 29, 2006
#4
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #4
Not necessarily. My theory is that your open loop tune is off. With your 42 lb injectors, I assumed that you have a custom ship burned or a TwEECer or something along those lines that was able to allow your car to run properly with those sized injectors. When cutom chips are burned, your base tables are modified. Those base tables will apply in either closed or open loop operation. Unplugging the 02s will force your EEC into open loop. having said that, you may want to try and get your car up to operating temp THEN disconnect your 02s to see how it responds. If it goes all flakey in open loop then I'd say that it's narrowing thing down to def being in the tune.
 

Batterystang

Founding Member
Jun 11, 2002
126
0
0
North Carolina
Jan 29, 2006
#5
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #5
Closed loop means it's going to run how the computer wants it to run, then open loop means it takes the readings and responds correct?

Also, when it was on the dyno a couple days ago, they said they upped the Fuel Pressure a little bit, you think there is a connection?
 
D

Daggar

New Member
Jul 19, 2004
3,902
5
0
Jan 29, 2006
#6
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #6
Open loop is how the car runs before warm up. It disregards inputs from most sensors and runs from the computer's base maps and any "learned" KARMF settings it has saved.

Closed loop is normal operation. This is where readings from the sensors are used to adjust for AFR and power setting.

Another thought just occured to me. Has your car run like this consistently since the last tune when it's cold??? Or is this just something that has cropped up recently? If it's the latter... it may be worth the relatively simple task of disconnecting your battery over night to erase any adaptive control settings then see if it makes any changes in how your cars acts when cold. You may have some undesirables lurking in your EEC.
 
1

1bad92lx

New Member
Mar 31, 2003
247
0
0
Close to lynchburg, VA
Jan 29, 2006
#7
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #7
I just read batterystang's post and what jumped out at me was the fact that he knows that his car has a vacuum leak. Only pulling 2hg of vacuum at idle is definitely a problem. I had an intake leak issue with the 1" spacer on my 92 and it did just what you said. The computer will try to compensate for the problem and normally all cars with vacuum leaks will run better once warmed. I would fix the vacuum issue and then if you still have a problem, tune from that point.
 

Black1987Stang

Active Member
Aug 22, 2004
1,422
0
37
Jersey Shore
Jan 29, 2006
#8
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #8
1bad92lx said:
I just read batterystang's post and what jumped out at me was the fact that he knows that his car has a vacuum leak. Only pulling 2hg of vacuum at idle is definitely a problem. I had an intake leak issue with the 1" spacer on my 92 and it did just what you said. The computer will try to compensate for the problem and normally all cars with vacuum leaks will run better once warmed. I would fix the vacuum issue and then if you still have a problem, tune from that point.
Click to expand...



+1 for fixing the vacuum leak and go from there
 
D

Daggar

New Member
Jul 19, 2004
3,902
5
0
Jan 29, 2006
#9
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #9
Oooops... I totally missed the vac leak.
 

95GTV8

New Member
Jul 25, 2005
386
3
0
Washington State
Jan 29, 2006
#10
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #10
yes, i had the same problem, cold starts i would have to keep giving it gas and hold it @ 1500 rpm idle. Once the engine was warm is was alot better, but i finally found the vacuum leak, it was very small it was the red line coming off of the throttle body that was really making my car unpleasant to drive.
 

Batterystang

Founding Member
Jun 11, 2002
126
0
0
North Carolina
Jan 29, 2006
#11
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #11
Well now I'm onto the vacuum problem. Which could be anything. All the vacuum lines are hooked up properly (same as they were before I got it back from the dyno). The motor was just pulled, and O-ringed. Could the intake be installed wrong causing this vacuum leak? I really dont know what else to check...?
 

95GTV8

New Member
Jul 25, 2005
386
3
0
Washington State
Jan 29, 2006
#12
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #12
make sure the intake is tightened down properly? for sealing the sides of the lower intake did you use RTV, or the funky gasket? did it not go in properly and therefor a vacuum leak? I'm just throwing things out there, but hopefully you can keep checking these things and eventually narrow it down till you find the problem. good luck!
 

Batterystang

Founding Member
Jun 11, 2002
126
0
0
North Carolina
Jan 29, 2006
#13
  • Jan 29, 2006
  • #13
Actually the motor was put back together by the shop this time. I'm assuming they did it right... Fastlane Motorsports in Benson NC.

I'm going to be calling them tomorrow, see what they say, since I didnt have no vacuum problems before I took it to them.
 
J

jgonz727

New Member
Oct 17, 2006
24
0
0
Mar 6, 2007
#14
  • Mar 6, 2007
  • #14
Batterystang said:
My car runs like complete garbage when trying to warm up. It only does this when it's completely cold, IE, in the morning or whenever it sits for a long time. It's hard to rev, will barely idle, idle bounces around from 500-1000. It seems as if the timing is off during warm up. Also earlier this morning after about a 15 minute warm up (me holding gas pedal at 1500 rpms) it went from garbage to perfect, easy to rev, idled right at 1000 rpms, and ran great besides my vacuum problem (only 2 HG at idle).

My idea of the problem is, the timing is bouncing around... But I dont know what is causing it.
Click to expand...

I'm suffering from the exact same symptoms: after about five minutes it runs great. However, I have determined that my car is running in open loop ALL THE TIME. While the car is running, I disconnect the MAF connector and it has no effect on the engine....it continues purring like a kitten. I've even gone as far as disconnecting the oxygen sensor harness while the car is running and also, no effect on the engine--the check engine light doesn't even come on for that.

Batterystang, I wondered if you were in the same position...
 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Mar 6, 2007
#15
  • Mar 6, 2007
  • #15
I have the issue since my last SCT program was burned...according to the SCT rep it's simply a result of the car coming out of the 'cold start' mode too quickly...he wants me to bring him the ECU at which time he will increase the time at which the car stays at fast idle. As of now the car comes out of fast idle too quickly and is unable to sustain the lower idle when cold.
 
J

jgonz727

New Member
Oct 17, 2006
24
0
0
Mar 7, 2007
#16
  • Mar 7, 2007
  • #16
jgonz727 said:
I'm suffering from the exact same symptoms: after about five minutes it runs great. However, I have determined that my car is running in open loop ALL THE TIME. While the car is running, I disconnect the MAF connector and it has no effect on the engine....it continues purring like a kitten. I've even gone as far as disconnecting the oxygen sensor harness while the car is running and also, no effect on the engine--the check engine light doesn't even come on for that.
Click to expand...

I have checked for codes, and I get 67 and 95.
 
J

jgonz727

New Member
Oct 17, 2006
24
0
0
Mar 8, 2007
#17
  • Mar 8, 2007
  • #17
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I want to add more info...I have checked the resistance on both the ect and act at the sensor when the car is warmed up, both are within spec.
 
J

jason89gt

Member
Feb 16, 2003
86
1
8
hobart indiana
May 29, 2007
#18
  • May 29, 2007
  • #18
I've tried testing my ect and act with a multimeter for resistance and get nothing on both? I'm having the same startup problem. It idles low and has 10 hg of vacuum and i swear i hear a vacuum leak I haven't checked it with carb cleaner yet! once it reaches 180 degress idles goes up and vacuum is at 16 hg! But in the last 3 weeks this problems just started when i got a custom chip made for my set up to run at 180 degrees!!! so is there a vacuum leak or is it the tune to run differently as it is warming up? Also i have a air fuel guage and at startup the guage has no movement unless you give it throttle once it hitsa 180 degrees it jump all over between rich and lean like it always did before and that is how ith should be. any thoughts? thanks jason
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
Idle surging after warm up
  • GALLY3309
  • Jun 10, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
104
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 10, 2026
Noobz347
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
T
Resolved No run or idle
  • Thebluefox1
  • Oct 10, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
14
Views
489
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 25, 2025
DadLife0724
K
Car stalling after warming up
  • Kingll
  • Jul 7, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
118
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jul 11, 2025
Noobz347
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
217
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 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?