went to start the mustang......i think its dead

[mustang gt 2003]

So last night i was coming back from my friends house. Watching the OSU vs LSU destory might i add... when i got out of the car to open my garage door. I noticed that the rpms were pretty much bouncing. It would drop in rpm, then go back up to normal idle, then drop again....and so on. Also, i went to the back of the car, and i swear the exhaust sounded like i had new cams. It would putt alittle...then normal....putt...then normal...and so on.

So being late that night...i wanted to wait till this morning to see what was wrong with it. So i went outside, and tried to start it to move it onto the drive way. The car would not start at all. I gave it a jump thinking it might be the battery, but that wasnt it. The engine turns over, but that its. It will not start at all.

Any ideas???

 

[04YELLOWGT]

Sounds like a MAF problem to me.

 

[mustang gt 2003]

Do you think it needs replaced? Because i have never heard of that kind of problem before....

 

[2002GreyGT]

You can clean you MAF, there are instructions are over on the bullitt archive web site.

Also try pushing in the gas peddle a little while starting, if that works then you would need to check out your fuel system.

While you are at it, check your fuses maybe one is bad?

~K

 

[deftsound]

try resetting the computer, disconnect the negative battery cable for 20 minutes then try starting it

 

[SilverBullet00]

What mods do you have?

 

[mustang gt 2003]

What mods do you have?

Honestly nothing major. Just a catback, CAI, 75mm tb and plenum. I just checked those out, and they seem to be fine and normal. So i doubt the problem is going from there.

When i put the key into the ignition, right before i fully turn it, i can hear this click noise. Before, i believe i also used to hear a buzzing noise? Ive heard from some people that the buzzing noise is related to the fuel pump. So i cant hear that noise anymore....do you think that has anything to do with it?

 

[mustang gt 2003]

Nevermind, the buzzing noise is there.....

 

[2002GreyGT]

Do you have a second key, maybe your key is busted (the computer chip part) and our cars won't start without an approved key in it.

~K

 

[mustang gt 2003]

But the engine turns and everything. If the key was bad wouldnt it just not turn at all. Either way, i will try it!

 

[mustang gt 2003]

Do you have a second key, maybe your key is busted (the computer chip part) and our cars won't start without an approved key in it.

~K

Just tried it.....didnt work.

 

[BlackGT4.6]

maybe the iac?

 

[nyuk98gt]

maybe the iac?

+1

The IAC is used for many things: during crank, initial start-up, deceleration, idle control (etc., etc.) so if it is 'bad', then it wreaks havoc.

Take it off carefully (don't rip the gasket) and clean it out with carb or brake cleaner (keep it far away from your paint). Tap it on the workbench and watch the gunk come out. Keep spritzing and tapping until the gunk flow slows to nearly nothing. Reinstall and try to start the car.

*edit: My IAC will buzz a little (high pitch) during PCM flashing and it's healthy. I bet the solenoid is shot or the pintle is stuck enough so that the solenoid can't move it. You may need to replace the IAC. If so, use a trusty Ford/OEM replacement (see Randy Stinchcomb for all your OEM parts).
*end of edit

HTH,

Chris

 

[Rusty67]

I think you should stop guessing at what the problem with the car is and take a systematic approach to figuring out whats wrong with it.

When it was running, how did the car respond when you gave it gas ?

When you crank the car over does it even sound like its firing at all or does it just crank crank crank crank and nothing else ?

You need to figure out if this is an iginition problem or a fuel problem. I doubt very heavily that it is a lack of air. See if all the cylinders are sparking. If thats the case, check to make sure proper fuel pressure is being delivered to the injectors. Your fuel pump may have bit the dust.

Buy one of those spark testers that sits in between a plug wire and the plug. It will light up every time power goes through it to the spark plug. I know your engine has a COP, but I'm sure you can stack that thing with the coil to make it work. Test all the cylinders.

 

[PULMEOVR]

Does it turn over fast or slow?

If it turns over slow, it may be flooded. Try holding the gas pedal to the floor (does not allow the fuel injectors to inject fuel into the engine upon start-up). Be careful! The RPMS will rise FAST if the car starts up.

 

[deftsound]

if its the IAC take a wrench and tap on it, then try starting it....

 

[mustang gt 2003]

Well it looks like i figured out what the problem is. The fuel pump....normally i thought it was working, because before i fully turn the key, it would make the "buzz" noise as if it working. However, the noise was being made, but it was not moving any fuel into engine? That was really strange, but im going to get another fuel pump to fix the problem! Thanks everyone for their input!!!!!

 

[mustang gt 2003]

Oh, one more question my fellow stang members. Where can i locate the fuel pump relay on a 2003 mustang gt? Im wondering if i would have to change the whole pump....or if the relay itself is a problem? Thanks again!