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

something wrong with my car

  • Thread starter Thread starter OonDeanisS
  • Start date Start date Mar 22, 2004

OonDeanisS

Founding Member
Jun 16, 2002
902
1
19
Danbury, CT
Mar 22, 2004
#1
  • Mar 22, 2004
  • #1
i have no idea whats wrong with my car... it runs fine one minute, and the next it stalls(while driving and idling) randomly and wont start. It makes all the noises it should except it doesnt ignite. I always get out and check the coil wire and spark plug wires, starter solenoid, spark plugs, coil bracket, and a couple other ground wires in the engine bay (one going between the solenoid and engine bay, and one that goes between the engine bay and coil bracket) i also check the wires on the back of the alternator. Then it might start and might not. if it doesnt, i do it all again until it starts cuz eventually it does. wtf? anyone have this problem?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Mar 23, 2004
#2
  • Mar 23, 2004
  • #2
things you need to check. when it does this, try to ground a plug or have a fuel pressure gauge hooked up, so you can isolate if it is fuel (likely pump) or ignition (likely TFI) related. could be a bad ignition switch too, but that should show up while testing ignition and fuel. but i would check the former two, as i think they are more likely (both are heat sensitive when failing - get hot and fail, cool off and may come back to life).

i dont suppose you are spittin any codes?
just my two cents from 2 seconds worth of thoughts.
good luck.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Mar 23, 2004
#3
  • Mar 23, 2004
  • #3
Carb'd cars require an old time approach to troubleshooting.

1,) Pull the air cleaner and sniff for fuel vapor - look for signs of flooding. Don't see any evidence of flooding? Then pump the throttle - does the accelerator pump squirt fuel? If so then you have enough fuel to start the engine. If not look for fuel delivery problems. Check the fuel pump, and fuel filter.

Now that you know that you have fuel, check the ignition.

2.) Remove push on connector from starter solenoid and turn ignition switch on. Place car in neutral or Park. Remove coil wire from distributor & and hold 3/8” away from engine block. Jumper the screw to the big bolt on the starter solenoid that has the battery wire connected to it. You should get a nice fat blue spark.
Most of the items are electrical in nature, so a test light, or even better, a voltmeter, is helpful to be sure they have power to them.
No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Coil
B.) Distributor PIP sensor
C.) No power to ignition system wiring or ignition box (if used)

3.) Spark at coil wire, pull #1 plug wire off at the spark plug and check to see spark. No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Moisture inside distributor – remove cap, dry off & spray with WD40
B.) Distributor cap
C.) Rotor
D.) Spark Plug wires
E.) Coil weak or intermittent - you should see 3/8" fat blue spark with a good coil

4.) Spark at spark plug, but no start.
Next, get a can of starting fluid (ether) from your local auto parts store: costs a $1.30 or so. Then pull the air duct off at the throttle body elbow, open the throttle, and spray the ether in it. Reconnect the air duct and try to start the car. Do not try to start the car without reconnecting the air duct. If it backfires, the chance for a serious fire is increased.
 

shawn13

New Member
Feb 28, 2004
70
0
0
Dwight IL
Mar 23, 2004
#4
  • Mar 23, 2004
  • #4
You got a 750 holly dbl pumper or vac Id pull the bowls off and look for crap in and check the filter my 427 did that to me a few times
 
F

fastest stock 87 gt

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2000
186
0
0
florida
Mar 23, 2004
#5
  • Mar 23, 2004
  • #5
make sure your voltage doesnt drop below (i think its 8 volts) cause i dont think the msd box is made for this. i replaced 2 on mine before i realized the voltage was dropping
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Resolved Weird sound coming from a freshly rebuilt 5.0L
  • karhoot
  • Jun 24, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
240
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 27, 2026
Mac131
8
Electrical Crank-no start ... no spark ... no injector pulse, was it something I did? (redux)
  • 85gtCOBRA
  • Oct 28, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
611
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 29, 2025
85gtCOBRA
8
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
333
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
I
98 Mustang GT dying
  • ItsMason
  • May 14, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
171
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 25, 2026
lenzgt
L
Alternator not charging
  • SchwarzStock
  • Jul 6, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
139
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 19, 2026
SchwarzStock
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?