Hello all!

The car is a 89 Mustang LX 4cyl. It has 172k miles on the body, 60k on the engine.I am experiencing a strange loss of power, stalling and loss of my ability to give fuel to the car from a stop. However, these symptoms only last until I can get the car moving to about 2k rpms. Then it has no problem receiving fuel. I have had the water pump, radiator and clutch done in the last 3 months, also these symptoms starting occuring shortly after I cleaned my K&N filter (yes... properly).

I know when it's going to happen when the car is idling and i see the temperature guage go up about 2 notches or about 20%, that's how I know it's going to do it. The car always will start fine, but getting it to move is like pulling teeth. After a few tries starting it with my foot on the gas, I can dump the clutch and get it moving, until the next time I have to stop and repeat the process over.

I am not sure if this is an overheating issue, as I have an almost new cooling system, and I do not know if it's the fuel pump as it delivers fuel fine after 2k rpms. I doubt it's the injectors.

I am pretty sure that there is some cleaning I need to do to the sensors, both within them and on their electric counter-parts. Also, I'm going to look into the temp. sensor. I know that when there is cooling issues the ECU goes into dummy/safety mode, but I doubt to the point of the car not even having power at all.

Has anyone had any of these experiences, and if so, what did you do to fix? Suggestions for things to check would be great!

woomis

 

Do a tune up (if it hasn't been done)
Get a new fuel filter
Clean the IAC
Test the TPS to make sure its still working
GET CODES!!!!!!!

Welcome BTW

 

I planned to check voltage on TPS, clean IAC, clean MAF Sensor Plugs, clean Temp Sensor Plugs. God I wish someone would have checked codes on the car. Various shops did all of the following items (below) and each time I'd mention my ECU was throwing codes, when I'd take it in as a hint to just check em', but nobody never did complimentary. Finally I asked the shop that did most of the work on this car and they told me $180.00 to check codes, I did not want to pay that, they must think I'm their own personal US Mint.[/align][/align]Since I've owned in the last 6 mo. I've replaced:

new fuel filter, cap, rotor, plugs, wires
added k&n filter (used)
new radiator, upper + lower hoses[/align]new temperature sensor
new timing belt + tensioner
new idler pully
new water pump
new clutch
new flywheel
new starter
new battery
new muffler (stock)

I don't know what else to say, it's getting ridiculous. Thank you for the welcoming btw, this car is my daily driver and I keepmy 90Stage5 300zxTT (71k mi.)put away fora sunny day.[/align]

 

Get codes. It might be a bad O2 sensor or a cluged fuel line.

It could also be a bad injector

 

Check some of the autoparts places. Some will read codes for free. Check local mustang club or car club one may have a code read. If nothing else buy a code reader at the autoparts. Cheap one less than 40 dollars. Give us the codes. We can help. List of codes and how to read codes at this site. http://fordfuelinjection.com/ Also welcome

 

http://www.merkurtech.com/merkurtech...es/item015.php

 

check the cat, and check your timing. sounds like your off about 20 degress. mabey your distributor is loose and has spun itself around.

 

These are all wonderful suggestions. I like the part about the timing 92lxsleeper... I have been meaning to check that anyhow. Also are the o2 sensors really sensitive to voltage like some other cars i've worked on in the past (i.e. if you test w/ too much voltage you ruin the sensor). I'll try and pull codes first just incase they are.

As for the code reader, I've recieved many blank stares from my local Autozone, Pep Boys, Kragens and Monument Car Parts. I'm just going to buy one, pull codes and reference that tech link above: thanks sleeper_inc.

I'll let you know the outcome tonight. Thanks for everything!

 

My mother had the same exact problem with my '89 Vert. I did everything in this thread + more.

Never did figure it out.

So she went to junk the car and I grabbed it.... She only payed $200 for it anyways lol.

I'm not bothering becasue the turbo swap.

 

TFI Module maybe? Will an aftermarket one have the same defect as this?