onebad88

i just bought this 88 gt and it runs like junk when you get on the gas. it starts missing and backfireing. but when you accelerate easy it runs pretty smoth. the idle is also sparatic when you first start it. there is a sensor on the under side of the air inlet tube but no harness to plug into it. the computer is a DA1. could someone have started a mass air conversion? please help guys.


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AdderMk2

looks to me like someone used that sensor to hold the filter on... pretty hack job

vtecwho

thats great that your car runs with out the MAF plugged in!! i would not expect it to keep running. fix it before your car dies when pulling out into traffic!! haha

it does need to be plugged in and that, maybe other things with it, need to be fixed

onebad88

well since its speed density thats probably why its not connected, any other opinions on why it runs like crap? i know its hard to diagnose something in writing but i dont have the money to take it to a shop right now?

AdderMk2

that is clearly NOT a mustang MAF... but running rough... have you checked for vac leaks? bad fuel filter maybe... water in the distributor cap?

onebad88

i just noticed under my air filter a set of wires running to my O2 sensors that are sitting against the header and beig burned, but i dont have a check engine light on. also the car has no cats,just a custom h-pipe and some small mufflers. could that be a problem

AdderMk2

could definitly be a problem

onebad88

i also noticed the check engine light doesnt light up when i turn the key so maybe thats why its not on. so i should either replace the harness or fix the wires... what about the cats? will it be alright to run it w/out them or should i put a set on there for backpressure. i dont know how accurate but i was told the exhaust has to reach a certain temperature and if its not due to not enough backpressure when im accelerting it could be giving too much gas.

dman302

88's dont use check engine lights to the best of my knowledge. Basics first...code reader to pull the codes (auto store should do test for you). Check EVERY vac line on the car for damage or disconneted...get the vac diagrams off the net and trace each one...vac leaks on SD cars are huge problems for performance and gas milage...check every line..then check again. Once you've done the basic checks and searching come back post your findings and then let some of the experienced memebers help diagnose or point you as to where to go next. OR off to the auto mechanic..expensive but also an option.

5.0stanger

FYI, speed density cars have no check engine light