1995 Mustang GT- Electrical Issues?
11-16-2015, 06:04 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 939
1995 Mustang GT- Electrical Issues?
1995 Mustang GT, 171,000 miles
Well, today was supposed to be the day I did a compression check. I was going to replace the spark plugs at the same time. But I decided to wash the engine compartment instead. It would be more pleasant to work in there with less grease on things. So I used some engine degreaser, soaking and scrubbing just about everything in sight while avoiding directly spraying the alternator. After thoroughly rinsing everything off, I hit it several times with compressed air. I paid special attention to the alternator and various electrical parts, blasting them dry.
I then took it for a spin to steam off any remaining droplets I couldn't get. During the 30 minute drive, I noticed the ABS light was on. So I pulled over and restarted the car. The ABS light flashed once, then it flashed twice, then it stayed on. Also, in the last 10 minutes of driving, the car tried to stall on me. I was able to keep the engine running by giving it a little more gas between shifts. But flooring the accelerator would make it stumble.
I got the car home safely, and found a little moisture under the distributor cap, which I wiped up and blew out with compressed air. The ABS port was dry. I have disconnected the battery for the night in an attempt to reset codes.
Tomorrow I'll put the distributor cap back on and re-install the battery. In the meantime, anyone have any thoughts?
Well, today was supposed to be the day I did a compression check. I was going to replace the spark plugs at the same time. But I decided to wash the engine compartment instead. It would be more pleasant to work in there with less grease on things. So I used some engine degreaser, soaking and scrubbing just about everything in sight while avoiding directly spraying the alternator. After thoroughly rinsing everything off, I hit it several times with compressed air. I paid special attention to the alternator and various electrical parts, blasting them dry.
I then took it for a spin to steam off any remaining droplets I couldn't get. During the 30 minute drive, I noticed the ABS light was on. So I pulled over and restarted the car. The ABS light flashed once, then it flashed twice, then it stayed on. Also, in the last 10 minutes of driving, the car tried to stall on me. I was able to keep the engine running by giving it a little more gas between shifts. But flooring the accelerator would make it stumble.
I got the car home safely, and found a little moisture under the distributor cap, which I wiped up and blew out with compressed air. The ABS port was dry. I have disconnected the battery for the night in an attempt to reset codes.
Tomorrow I'll put the distributor cap back on and re-install the battery. In the meantime, anyone have any thoughts?
Last edited by Urambo Tauro; 11-16-2015 at 06:26 PM.
11-17-2015, 07:49 AM
#2
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,061
If you can, take it for an extended drive. Making sure to get it up to temperature. And it probably wouldn't hurt to take apart any electrical connection you can find and blow them dry before you do anything. Sounds like water is trapped somewhere and causing trouble.
11-17-2015, 04:08 PM
#3
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 939
While the battery was disconnected I decided to take it out of the car and give it a nice 2a charge overnight. I also threw a little silica packet in the distributor for the night to dry it 100%.
Today I reinstalled the battery and pulled the silica packet out. After driving it, I'm pleased to report that everything is back to normal. The engine is running good again and the ABS light has turned itself back off. I made sure to engage the ABS on some gravel, and have confirmed it is working properly.
Let this be a lesson to anyone who wants to wash their engine bay. Make sure it's dry!
Today I reinstalled the battery and pulled the silica packet out. After driving it, I'm pleased to report that everything is back to normal. The engine is running good again and the ABS light has turned itself back off. I made sure to engage the ABS on some gravel, and have confirmed it is working properly.
Let this be a lesson to anyone who wants to wash their engine bay. Make sure it's dry!
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