Why The **** Is My Car Not Running Right!?

[Los]

.....

well?

[shibby]

i would love to help, but i think i need just a little more info.

[Los]

Ok.

I punch the car and it feels SLOW.

2nd gear seems to take forever to climb. I'm thinking either fuel problem (new filter, clogged injectors) or spark plugs.

[MRigney]

It just might be the Clutch.

I had a similar problem in another mustang I had.

I know your car is fairly new.

Just a thought.

[skooter]

Any gas in the Stang? Spark plug wire off the plug? Fuel pump?

[Justang_87]

could we get some more info on the stang? bolt ons? listed combo?

have you changed anything lately?

[Los]

2001 Mustang Bullitt - 44k miles on it.
Mods are:
Pro 5.0 shifter
K&N which has been cleaned at 33k and again at 42k.

I don't think its the clutch seeing as how I don't get any slippage, right?

[Justang_87]

so your saying that you get a dogged acceleration? not slipping....if you cluth is going bad you will feel it slipping...but if its not slipping i would say you problem is elsewhere..can you pull some codes from the computer? that would be a good start..otherwise i would say that plugs could be a good start...

what about your timing?

maybe plug wires also..just a thought..

if your acceleration is dogged i would say pull codes...it could be a o2 sensor also...that could be the problem...any RPM that it kicks in the power? or does it dog all the time

[Los]

Ya got me.

:confused:

I don't get any 'check engine' lights or anything. I dunno. Maybe its the fuel because the gas station I've been getting some fuel at is really ****ty.

But I can't say its running lean (lack of gas) because whenever I rev the car, I get bullitt backfire (typical backfire/car has always run a bit rich). At any rate, after FFW in May (I live near Houston), I plan on changing the fuel filter, injectors, plugs, and running some STP or Mega Power through it.

:D

[Justang_87]

i would definatly try a different gas station if you think that its not running right...what octane are you running?


when you said there was no codes, was that from the harness? or just on the dash...i know that you can goto autozone, or whatever place they have down there and they can hook it up to a scanner and tell you if your throwing codes...that is what they do at the dealership is check the codes first:D

[Los]

From the dash, there are no codes.

I have been running that 87 crap forever. I guess its time to upgrade again.

;)

But gas is SO not cheap these days.

[MRigney]

I use nothing but 93 octane for the Cobra. It is expensive right now.

[Los]

It doesn't make sense though...

I mean powerloss that badly?

[Justang_87]

i would definatly try some 93...i had run 89 and that would cause some hesitation, but after switching to 93 it ran great. whenever i would try to go down it was just problems...I.E: bucking studdering etc:D

[Los]

Well, I have two shootouts coming (BBZ Shootout for www.texasracingscene.com (http://www.bullittzero.com/Vbb/index.php3) and FFW in the first weekend of May). So I should have the gas converted by then.

After that, we'll see what I run (Anywhere between 14.3s-14.1s, depending on how River City Raceway decides to cooperate).

:D

[Justang_87]

or you can get some octane booster...that will give you the instant test and then you wouldnt have to wait until you burn a tank of crappy gas. go for the octane booster, its a cheap test to see if that is your problem, so you can look otherwise if it doesnt resolve.:D

[Los]

I put some 93 in it today...

Still feels the same?

:confused:

Guess I'm gonna have to test her out tonight.

[88chris]

I would suggest that you find a shop or someone that can run a code-scan on it with a good scanner & then go from there.;)

[Justang_87]

do i hear an echo? lol

go to the parts store..they do it for free:D

autozone

[88chris]

Originally posted by Justang_87
do i hear an echo? lol

go to the parts store..they do it for free:D

autozone
I was not talking about a ****ty Auto-Zone scan.;)

[Justang_87]

i would just pull the codes myself. you dont need a scanner to read the pulses that the test port in the harness has..you just need the know how and what the pulses mean:D

[Los]

I should lick the battery connectors and electrocute myself.

:D

[shibby]

dont go to autozone. they dont know what they are doing. if you are not throwing a check engine light they wont be able to detect anything anyway. put some 93 in the tank along with some 104+ booster and some injector cleaner. if that doesnt fix it take it to a reputable shop that has a snap on or a genysis scan tool. you did not mention if it runs rough at idle or under acceleration. i believe you have coil on plug ignition and those coils are notorious for going out. i sell at least 3-4 a week for ford vehicles. it could also be the throttle position sensor. check for any vaccum leaks. your track times will tell you a lot. get back to us.

[import hater]

Go to this website: http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/dtcodes.htm

[Los]

Code: 5284 - Oil Pressure switch failure.

:confused:

[Neekz]

Hey Los, speaking of TRS, I just re-registered and sent you a copy of my DL so I can have access to the goods! Hook me up please! (Neekz@TRS)

[Los]

:D

I'll do it but my mail client (Admin@bullittzero.com) is messed up right now because of another problem with the dataservers.

Back to topic,
I've figured out the problem. Its the shifter that is primarily causing the slowdown.

At RCR, my best was a 14.5 @ 97 as I got 2nd gear in but 3rd was stuck for a few seconds. I imagine that if I would've gotten 3rd in, I would've shaved 2-3 tenths off that time. Also, I think, if I could've hit the tires better, I would've nailed another high 13! I rotate the tires this week for FFW. Anyone going?

[Neekz]

Thanks a bunch Los.:cool: Didn't mean to side track your thread there but I'm desperate.(pun intended):p

[Neekz]

Originally posted by Los
Anyone going?

I'm hoping to make out to Baytown if i don't work saturday. The crappy thing is I don't know if i work until that morning, so I won't be able to leave until 8am or so.:(

[Los]

If you make it, give me a holler. We're gonna try and organize a TRS group within FFW there.

:D

[Neekz]

Will do! I'd like to meet some of you guys outside the austin area. I won't be able to compete because my car is still down and wont be fixed in time.:( The alternator bracket broke off on the way to the TRS/Clash event. I drug my poor alternator under the car on I-10 right before I got to the track. It mutilated(spl?) the fan, shroud, tensioner, bracket and of course the alternator has a nice flat spot on it now.:D I havent fixed it becuase I figure this is a perfect chance to upgrade to a Mark fan and a 130 amp alt. but I'm a little short on cash. It should be worth the wait though.

[Los]

Never fear. The Bullittstang won't be expecting any miracles this time around.

:o

[Neekz]

Just spray the hell out of it! That's a miracle in a bottle. What day/s are you gonna be there? If I make it, I'll only be there saturday so I can make it to the Snap-On event at RCR errr... SAR on sunday. That should add a little spice to my boring a$$ life.

[Los]

I'll be there friday and saturday. Its not customary for me to stay at the last day of the event. Just watching, racing, doing times, but that's it. I'm considering running true street but I doubt I will.