Got my mustang back from my ex recently (finally) and its got a few problems (go figure). I've cured most of them but one that it has now is thus: I have no passing gear, as soon as I 'floor' it, the engine bogs down and acceleration stops completely, does the same thing if I drop it into 2nd manually. I tried racing the engine when it was in park, same thing, once I get past halfway it stops getting gas it seems. But drives fine otherwise, aside from some sputtering when I get close to passing gear. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Your TPS it sounds like is ur check engine light on??Mine did the same thing and mine was the tsp it is the lil black thing on the side of throttle body check and see if it is pluged in or even there

 

i agree it sounds like the tps (throttle position sensor). check your maf(mass air flow) also

 

Thanks for the idea, went out and checked around the throttle body (not entirely sure what the TPS looks like on the 'stang) Didn't find anything immediatly but did find a vacuum line? unplugged (on the side of the intake manifold, bottom one, closest to the firewall, ran into a small circular thing towards the drivers side firewall) Plugged that back in, cant start the car quite yet (patching the exhaust and doing brakes) but thanks for the help : )

 

the tps is the plug on the side of the throttle body

 

I checked the plug there and it looks fine, nothing damage, unplugged, etc. I got it all put back together yesterday, drove it and it was still surging on me when it came time for the tranny to shift. So I took it to autozone to get the computer put on it, it spit out a 1704 and a 0174 (2x each, was told 2 were 'old' codes that were stored). I check my EGR lines out of the sensor and the larger one was cut in half almost, cut it down to where it wasn't rotted out and manuevered the sensor around to the side to fit down on the cut hose (was told the hose was dealer item, ive yet to be able to get one yet to put it back where it goes). The problem actually got worse. So I got a new EGR sensor and put it on this morning, still surging on me when it comes time to shift. I'm going to check the lines for clogs (which I stupidly didnt, but im not too hopefull). ANY clues at all? im lost, really dont want to have to take it in to someone but may have too : / thanks for all the help : )

 

maybe the cats if it wont go past a certain RPM your cats maybe clogged first thing that comes to my mind

 

Well, when I first start it up and drive it, the first 5-10 minutes it runs fine. Which I was told was b/c its in a closed loop, not dependant on electronics and sensors until the engine warms. I did inspect the MAF (looked practically brand new, nothing clogged or dirty) and the IAC and TPS (both looked very clean, no buildup or clogged anything). Is there any way to check if the TPS is bad, or is it a replace and hope type of part? I cleaned out the hoses as well, checked the vacuum lines into the EGR valve itself, I could hear the diaphram pop and it held good vacuum, as well as the lines themselves (took them off and applied vacuum to them individually). My only thought I guess is that perhaps the hose is too short and maybe not fully making a connection, but I think im reaching there, any ideas? Thanks again : )

Edit: Just put it all back together and drove it, still no change, had a gas smell to it which I think was due to having everything off and checking it. Still drove crappy, still surging when it comes time to shift but acted like it 'wanted' to shift, but still surged out on me when I floored it. When I got back there was smoke coming from the backside of the engine, almost looked like around the EGR valve but I couldnt pin point the exact location. Any help and ideas are appreciated : / thanks.

Edit #2: I think Moontang is right, took it to a shop today and the guy said the cats first, then didnt replace them but replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the MAF, then called me and said it was running fine. Which it wasnt, its horrible now, will hardly go at all, theres an awful smell coming from it and the back cat on the passenger side of the car is smoking, with a black/burnt streak coming out of it between the cat and the heat shield. So I'm assuming its the cat then and I'll have to get it replaced.

 

your throttle may be getting stuck at a certain point, i would pop the hood, take off the intake, have somebody sit in the driver seat and rev the engine and you watch the throttle. its probably just getting stuck or jammed. im not sure though, when my freind had a problem with his throttle, his engine was starving itself of air, even when we manual held the throttle open it would lower and die, btw if you ever stick your finger in the throttle be careful, my freind burnt his finger because it backfired somehow and fire came out his intake, hondas...

 

LAMO A HONDA! sorry i found that funny. Yea there is a way to check ur tps But i cant remember how right now let me do some reading i will get back to you