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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Sputtering??

  • Thread starter Thread starter ArkansasMystic
  • Start date Start date Oct 30, 2008
A

ArkansasMystic

New Member
Feb 16, 2007
43
0
0
Oct 30, 2008
#1
  • Oct 30, 2008
  • #1
I have a 96 Cobra that isn't running right. When cruising along anywhere from 2-4k RPM's, you can floor it and it sputters really bad. I can drop a gear, floor it and it runs great. I can floor it from a stop and it runs fine. I've ran it at the local strip and it runs just fine there. Only problem is when calmly cruising around. I am throwing a CEL, but the only code I get is the rear o2 sensors (no cats). This has been going on now for a month or two. I always just thought I was in too high of a gear. I bought the car from my brother around April, he drove it last night and said that there was definitely something wrong, and it usually isn't like that. I've been running 91 or 93 octane gas (depending on where I fill up). Any suggestions on where to start? Thanks.
 

fastfive_ogt

New Member
Jan 31, 2006
23
0
1
Wisconsin
Oct 30, 2008
#2
  • Oct 30, 2008
  • #2
Try plugs and wires man. Sounds like an engine missfire. Alot of times when you load up the engine at low rpms like that it causes alot of stress on the ignition and if you got a bad wire or plug it will show up then. It may still run fine at higher rpm with load. Sometimes when I get a car that has random missfire detected p0300 I will take it out and put the car in manual 2 or 3 and start out with the throttle most of the way down. This loads it up nicely and if its got a miss it will ussually show up. If you got a IDS scanner you can see if MPLEARN has learned yet. If not this could be why its not setting a code for the miss. Hope this helps.
 

fasthippo

New Member
Oct 22, 2008
52
1
0
OC, CA
Oct 30, 2008
#3
  • Oct 30, 2008
  • #3
i had a similar problem on mine but after a while it didnt matter what rpm i was in.
it ran great again with new plugs and wires.

but since urs runs strong off the line i'm not sure... its either an ignition or a fuel problem...
 

fastfive_ogt

New Member
Jan 31, 2006
23
0
1
Wisconsin
Oct 30, 2008
#4
  • Oct 30, 2008
  • #4
fuel is much less likely than ignition. IE. plugs and wires..... Still possable though. which is cheaper and easier to do? Yeah do the plugs wires. If you have an IDS you can do a power balance test when this occurs to see what cylinder is dropping. Then you can test run a different wire on that cylinder and change the plug on that one. These are tactics I would use at work. Test fuel pressure KOEO. Watch for bleed down. These tests can be preformed but with out the IDS or scanner which reads missfire you are screwed. My money is on the plugs and wires.
 
A

ArkansasMystic

New Member
Feb 16, 2007
43
0
0
Oct 31, 2008
#5
  • Oct 31, 2008
  • #5
I've had a friend scan it an nothing. So I guess my only option is to start replacing stuff, beginning with plugs/wires?
 

02nightmaregt

To hell with your Mustang, I want to see your HOG!
Jul 1, 2007
513
4
19
Southern Indiana
Oct 31, 2008
#6
  • Oct 31, 2008
  • #6
Id start with the cheapest stuff first.
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Oct 31, 2008
#7
  • Oct 31, 2008
  • #7
Plugs and wires is the best start. Then go from there.
 
A

ArkansasMystic

New Member
Feb 16, 2007
43
0
0
Nov 24, 2008
#8
  • Nov 24, 2008
  • #8
OK guys, gonna bump this up. I had it scanned today, had a P0420 code. Could be cats, but also said engine misfire, which would be the plugs/wires. Any thoughts? Thanks.
 

hotcobra03

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
969
4
39
poteet,tx
Nov 24, 2008
#9
  • Nov 24, 2008
  • #9
Funny this past week has alot of p420 posts
 
A

ArkansasMystic

New Member
Feb 16, 2007
43
0
0
Nov 24, 2008
#10
  • Nov 24, 2008
  • #10
Yep, all searches I have found just say it's time to replace cats, and since I don't have them, they can't be the problem. I've about got it figured out, I hope. The code is throwing the rear o2's because my MIL went out. I have new ones built, will try to get them installed next weekend and go from there. Last question, would the code I'm throwing cause the miss? Thanks.
 

hotcobra03

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
969
4
39
poteet,tx
Nov 25, 2008
#11
  • Nov 25, 2008
  • #11
I had them (mil)on my o3 and they didnt work.i was getting 420 with them on .turned rear o2s back on . no codes anymore
 
A

ArkansasMystic

New Member
Feb 16, 2007
43
0
0
Dec 2, 2008
#12
  • Dec 2, 2008
  • #12
I'm still throwing the P0420 code, haven't put the MIL's on yet. I had a mechanic look at it, no misfire codes. Finally we took it for a spin and while driving he monitored the plugs, and it took a while but eventually plugs 1 and 8 showed to misfire. I've got plugs and wires on order, and will be ordering a new fuel filter sometime this week. Anything else I may need to do while I'm having him work on it? Thanks.
 
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