bmckenzie

i have an 87 5.0 gt it has a cam,intake,headers etc.. when i go to turn on the car it cranks over and starts but immediatley dies. i have no clue as to why all of asuden this has happend it has gas in it.? can anyone help? im willing to answer any of your questions that u might have for me to help me figure this out.

petrock

Battery gets the car started, alternator keeps it going. Most auto parts stores will test your alternator for free, call ahead of course. Also make sure your serpentine belt is tight and not cracked, damaged or slipping. If the belt is not spinning the alternator properly, the alternator won't be able to produce enough juice to keep the motor running...

That is a good starting point... Good luck...

GT350R

I say its the ignition switch. I have seen this 100 times.

Try this. Try starting the car and lightly holding the key forward after it starts.

That does not always do it , and the other way is harder. It is disconnecting the wire from the solinoid. One person holds the key at "start" , the other jumps the starter at the solinoid.
If it stays running for either of these, its the ignition switch.


If you dont understand any of these, or if you dont know what the ignition switch is, (no its not the key), then have it done for you.

Or, just have it done. The key has probley been turned 10,000 times or more, and is a crappy dinosaur of a design in the first place. Its the number one reason for old Ford's dying. As a matter of fact, look and see the part number. If it does not have a part number that starts with an "F2..." then its original and was actually a firehazard recall.

GT350R

Incorrect.

Car will run with a bad alternator as long as the battery has a decent charge. If it has enough juice to start, it would have enough to continue running.