Ghost_shadow67

ok heres whats going on, i got a 2002 3.8 with a 78000 miles, stock tranny, american muscle CAI, stock MAF, TB, and Exhaust.
the car suddenly started cutting out at low RPMS 500-1500 (20-50mph) and back fires randomly, the problem stops when i put my foot in it. Being a classic car guy the first thing that popped in my head was, air fuel mix. I checked the air filter, MAF screen, and ran 2 bottles of lucas through it with 91 octane, and with no change. changed the oil and checked the plugs all good.
I am at a complete loss here and need to get the car fixed since its my daily

any help at all would be great

Fink

check your IAC valve.

AMDanBailer

Have you gotten any Check Engine Lights with the sputtering/back-firing? Do your cats rattle/are they original?

I would check the following things: fuel filter, alternator, battery voltage and plug wires. If all those things look good, it may be a cat going bad. Check if there's any DTCs or CELs on (scan the car, the light bulb may be dead if the light isn't lit up). If you've checked all that and you're still having problems, feel free to shoot me a PM and we can try to figure it out for ya!

Good luck! Have a great new years!

Ghost_shadow67

Checked the IAC and cleaning that seemed to fix the problem. Warning to all...the gasket is fragile . No check engine light has ever come on. Only mod is CAI. If this doesn't fix it, I'll be back for more help. Thanks guys!

AMDanBailer

Awesome, glad to hear it!

Please let us know if you have any further issues! Have a great New Years!

Ghost_shadow67

OK update time guys, the car does not cut out or sputter on flat ground now, ONLY going uphill. Broke down and called my brother the mechanic ( hes my older brother and I really dont like going to him for help), he sugested that I maybe got some bad gas that clogged up an injector. ( what led to this, I stopped at a gas staition I never stop at and the problem started the next day). So I'm going to go to the ONLY gas station in a 50 mile radius that offers NO ethonal gas, fill up the tank and run a bottle of FI cleaner. Checked the PCV and cleaned it. Rechecked MAFS and cleaned it, checked plug wires all good. if this doesnt fix it, I might jsut say F it and go get a newer mustang

AMDanBailer

Thanks for the update!

It sounds like you have a lot to think about! Let me know if you have any questions or need any further assistance! Good luck!