homsar

Hi,
I've seen a number of posts about 'stangs dying at or near idle, which mine does, and it hiccups sometimes, too. But I haven't been able to find much about its most troubling habit. It dies completely at random. It's running fine, then suddenly it simply quits running with no warning. About a second later, the odometer shows -------. I turn the ignition off and can then start the car instantly like nothing ever happened. All electricals like lights, stereo, etc. stay on when it dies, although the check engine light comes on after a few seconds, just like it normally would if I'd just stuck the key in the ignition but hadn't started it yet. This happens at all speeds, in all gears, when sitting still, when warm or cold, rainy or dry, at any time of day or night, accelerating (including the one and only time I raced somebody[:@]), decelerating, or running steadily. I took the chip out and cleaned the connections, but it keeps doing it. On average, it happens maybe once for every two or three hours of driving. Aside from the afore mentioned occasional hiccupsand idle stalls, it runs perfectly. I'd very much appreciate any help you can offer, and I apologize if this subject has been posted all over the place already and I've just missed it.
Thanks!

04BlueGT

Almost sounds like the computer is reseting itself. That's freakin' odd. I'd have to bite the bullet and take it to a dealer for that. Best of luck to you.

jdaniel

Where the chip goes... did you clean all the silicone off the card inside the ECU? You have to take an actual metal file and scrape pretty hard and you will see it coming off. I had this same problem when I installed my first chip... but mine wouldnt crank. All I would get is the -------- across the odometer. You have a bad connection somewhere between the chip and the ECU.

Fat Nick

Sounds to me like a spark, fuel, or computer problem.

redass02gt

when the odo goes --------, does your tach and speedo go all the way around (to max speed, max rpm) and then back to normal when you start it up? If the comp. is resetting itself, it will do that when it starts up again. mine did that after having the battery off for a day.

homsar

I've never noticed it doing that. It just started up like normal. But I'll watch for it just in case it's slipped by me.
Thanks, everybody, for the feedback. I think I'll try cleaning the contacts again and if that doesn't work, maybe I'll drive without the chip to see if it still happens.