weird engine problems, whatcha think?

[Turpin5.0]

So for the past month or so I have been having some problems with my car. About 40% of the time it runs like crap. From the idle being very rough and the car shaking, it has absolutly no power at all. and it feels like it is missing constantly. But the symptoms will just cease like all of a sudden. when I come to a stop and take off, the car will run fine again... This has had be boggled. I changed the fuel filter and it ran fine for 3 days, but now its to the same ole thing.
But whats really odd is that when it is running crappy and I get on it, when it hits 4k it runs fine for a second. then back to crappy. And vice versa. When running fine, and I hit 4k it runs crappy for a second!??? So I dont know whats going on and I dont want to spend money on things to fix it if I really dont know what it is. ( I'm saving for a new T-5) I dont think somthing is broken, because that would cause bad running all the time, correct?

The way it feels is like a 6cyl that has ten billion miles on it, its so weak and jittery. It shakes really bad when it runs crappy. For example on how weak it is, when starting from a role in 1st I can floor it and there will be NO tire slippage at all! Usually i can spin to 3rd gear.

I know this is a weird problem but if any of you guys know, think you know, or even have a idea that would be a great help.

Thanks alot

 

[04sleeper]

Make sure you car is in good tune. Have you recently replaced your tune up items? Like plugs, cap, rotor, wires.....etc. If so I would check all of you electrical connections. Also check your fuel pressure with a gauge you can read while driving.
It could be a number of things so you might just have to keep trying different stuff. Just start with the basics and then go from there.

 

[Turpin5.0]

I have done everything except cap and rotor, but it seems in good shape. I did wires, and plugs, and a coil. I checked all my connections and they seem fine. BLAHHH it irritates me

 

[casey4093]

have you checked all of your vacumme lines? an intermittant leak would cause those problems

 

[HISSIN50]

have you pulled codes? do the balance test when you run them. this will tell you if all the injectors are firing alright.

good luck.

 

[jrichker]

Dump the codes and see what the computer says is wrong…

Here's the link to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great.

See http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/
OR
See http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html for more descriptive help
OR
See http://www.mustangworks.com/article...c-iv_codes.html

IF your car is an 88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method. There is no functional check engine light on the 88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.

Codes have different answers if the engine is running from the answers that it has when the engine isn't running. It helps a lot to know if you had the engine running when you ran the test.

Trouble codes are either 2 digit or 3 digit, there are no cars that use both 2 digit codes and 3 digit codes.

For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections, see http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16153 for what a typical hand scanner looks like. Normal retail price is about $30 or so at AutoZone or Walmart .