javila2468

my 89 mustang turns on just fine when cold but once i drive it for a few blocks and turn it off and if i try to turn it back on right away, it will drag and not start. i just installed the following and still no luck.

new battery
new starter solenoid
new starter
new batter posts

i don't know if it might be the ground wiring or alternator heating up. it will turn back on after about 45 minutes of waiting for it cool down.

bruehlc

I have owned (7) 5.0's. Two of them, one a 95 GT vert and a 93 cobra had the same problem. I would run to walgreens or some where quick, come out, motor just cranked. I replaced EVERYTHING ignition. I would have my wife come pick me up. After about 4 or 5 hours, the car would start right back up. After a while, I decided to bet another $100+ bucks on a used A9L computer. fixed my cobra great and even ran better. Neither 5.0 died again. Nobody ever looks at the ECM first. It really sucks to throw hundreds of dollars on ignition parts, when its just the computer.

I had a ford Escape that ran like crap. Dealer couldnt figure it out, so I bought a JY computer. Fixed it too.

Go to Ebay and look under auto parts "other" for mustang. I found two computers, one 35.00, the other fourty something.

116Clique

Javila, Have you picked up a new computer? or had any more luck in fixing the issue? My 89 does the same thing starting fine cold but draggind when warm, sometimes starting.

javila2468

I actually fixed it without spending any money. The positive battery cable was way too long. I cut short enough to reach from the solenoid on the fender to the battery with very little slack.

javila2468

116Clique...try checking the positive battery cable, ground (the one connected to block). If that is good then you can try checking a few other things:

Ignition Module - May be heating up causing it to fail when attempting to re-start the car. Autozone can check the module at no cost.

Ignition Coil - could be faulty or not sending spark to the distributor.
Pickup coil - could be faulty.

116Clique

BUMP... I still have this issue going on. after driving it for any real distance (to the store for example) when i come to restart it it drags. and when I say it drags i mean to the point that the starter gets stuck during the cranking causing a 1-2 second silent pause while im still holding the key over.
when i have successful starts, its when i continue to hold the key over an additional few seconds, then it seems like the starter either frees up or gets some extra power to kick over. other times, it just cant find the ***** to start.

So far:
Replaced the starter
replaced the starter relay (only to have it be a dud, so the old one is still on there)
new post terminals
shorter positive cable to relay
checked negative ground wire to block
I have an ACCEL ignition coil (not familiar, should i look towards another one?)

I have heard about the computer idea and i have heard about changing the block ground wire to go straight to the starter. but before buying a bunch of shot in the dark parts i want to get more advice.

any help is appreciated gents

mattdel

heat soak of the starter and/or the wiring for it. Consider converting to a 92+ model starter, less susceptible to this problem.

Header wrap might help, or a custom heat shield on the starter.

javila2468

Have you checked to see if your pick up coil could be giving out or tfi module? also check to see if your computer has enough ground.

bozzy

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1989 NOTCHBACK MUSTANG.. IT WAS MY STARTER SOLENOID. IT IS CHEAP JUST TRY IT. GOOD LUCK

mjr46

check for voltage drop to the starter