Replaced the IAC with no avail, but...

I was working on my car today. (Just finished the seat install 94-99) Once that was finished I was hoping to take it out around the block a couple times. Unfortunately it started once, and I let it idle, and revved it a bit for my dad to be happy enough with it's performance to allow me to take it out for the first time.

I turned it on (first time I've ever not had to give it any gas to do so) then it's idle was extremely low. ~750RPM. From there I revved it up slowly and around 2.5K it was shaking pretty bad. Any higher than that it was running smooth, but any lower the rumble could still be felt.

My dad thinks that could be a cylinder not firing, but that isn't the only problem.

After the revving and idling for ~3 minutes the car died. Not stalled, just died. From that point on it wouldn't start again. This is a pretty normal occurrence with my Mustang in which it starts, then dies, then won't start again for a couple hours, if not a day.

The Check Engine Light does come on every now and then, and I have no idea where to buy an OBD1 scanner to read the codes without trying my hand at making one of the "blinking light testers". Have any of you had similar problems with your 94/95 Stangs? I have been dying to drive mine ever since I bought it, but when it got here it wouldn't start at all. Then one day it started "coughing" then it caught and idle once, etc etc. Which made sense since the car had been sitting for a couple months in a driveway after it started acting up. I don't think it will continue getting better though, and I would appreciate any input.

BTW, if it helps any... The idle came back to the normal (right under 1K) idle after I had revved it. It died when dropping the gas from ~3K.

Thanks Guys.
Peter

 

it might be a cylinder no firing, thats exactly how it was on my dads old truck

 

I know it's a stupid question, but how can you figure out which cylinder isn't firing? Check the spark plugs to see if they're corroded, and if not... then what?

 

grab hold of the plugwires one at a time with some very insulated pliers and pull them loose from the distributor if it makes it run worse put it back on and go to the next one

 

It doesn't usually run long enough to do that through all of the wires. I'll try though.

 

my friends 88 had that same prob a few days ago and it was the TFI module. have it checked it's under the airbox on the passengerside on 94-95 models if it's not it it could be the pick up coil in the distributor

 

Thanks. I heard that those could be the problem on another forum too, so I'll check that.

I'm picking up a OBD1 reader this weekend/next week. So hopefully that'll help diagnose.

 

I thought the reason for placing the TFI module in that location on the SN95 5.0 cars would help it avoid the heat that killed them on the Foxes? Check anyways to be sure - wouldn't hurt.

Other areas to check - TPS, temp. sensor, fuel system (pump, filter, injectors). If they've been gone over already, sorry - not up to speed on your car's status.

BTW, did you join a local area Mustang club yet?

 

I've sent out emails/called a couple clubs to no avail. A bunch want a 100 dollar membership fee or something to start, money I don't have right now. Would the TFI turn on the CEL?

 

it's possible

 

WTH is up with that? The little club I recently joined is like a big extended family that loves to work on cars - just give 'em the parts, a place to work, some food and drink and they're willing to help out. Of course, results may vary! Get that scan tool so you at least have an idea of what kind of diagnostic trouble codes are sitting in there. Are the ignition components such as the cap & rotor/sparkplugs/wires old or worn out? Starting with the simple stuff first would be best... good luck and keep us updated. (But, I also wonder if the Mass Airflow Sensor is faulty or dirty...)

 

And we have...

A stereo...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/IMG_3636.jpg

And what have we found out?

That I have no front speakers...

BTW what can I put in that top place? Where the stock stereo usually goes...

 

typically the stereo goes in teh top one and you can get a sleeve insert for the bottom, or the top i suppose. I know crutchfield has the storage sleeves and it shouldt be to terrible in price.

 

cool... but what about - and we have... ignition! got your car running yet? time to get that pony on the road!

 

I'm giving in and sending it to a mechanic as soon as my dad gets home from Australia in 11 days... From there we can have them diagnose, and depending on severity choose what to do after then. (aka us do it, or they do it, selling is out of the question. )

 

Switched it to the top one, and it is again working, other than the fact it has no speakers, but that is only a small problem.

 

ah, i see... thanks for the update!

 

You got it. I can't wait to have it up and running. Soon, very soon, I'll be on the road and buggin Arin.

 

You don't even know where I live now lol

 

Thank the Lord, I'm getting my license in... you guessed it, 11 days.