99VSixer

Hello All. Some background Info. I bought a 99 Mustang (V6) with 87k Miles in June. It now has 113k miles and it has been killing my pockets (the last owner must have dogged the hell out of the car or something because this is my 2nd mustang of the same year and the other one had little to no problems). I have so far had to have the engine rebuilt by Jasper Engines, New Brakes and rotors, Transmission fluid/filter had never been touched by previous owner, so the fluid was extremely low (and leaking) and the filter desperatly needing changing, along with a string of all kinds of other replacement parts I put into the car. The Car cost me 4k and so far in work done on the car I have spent over 6k. I'm trying to fix everything so the car will run like new.

1. The Odometer area has no lights, The Only thing lit up is the miles. It randomly cut out one day while driving. The Lights for the radio and heater and all that also went out. Which fuse it that has likely blown And how will I know if it is indeed blown?

2. My Cars brakes work fine but when I have the windows down and am at low speeds (under 15mph) and hit the brakes I hear something coming from near the wheels. It is not a screeching sound like what would come from brakes needing work. It sounds more like rubbing of some sort. Any ideas?

3. When driving at any speed my car is VERY bumpy. Now I know for a fact I need new tires, Alignment and a rotation but my question is if I get all that done will that fix that problem completely or could it be something else also wrong?

4. A very random and minor problem but my trunk will not stay up by itself, I have to hold it up 99% of the time, What would be causing this?

belairbrian

1) My guess would be the adjustable illumination fuse (#37)

2) Would you describe it as a chirp maybe?

3) Hard to say, Are the shocks Original, aftermarket? An out of balance tire could cause what you are feeling? A good alignemnet tech will be able to tell a lot about what is going on in the suspension.

4) Your trunk's gas struts are worn out, buy new ones. There maybe a 10 minute swap

99VSixer

1.) Thanks

2.) No not at all, Its similar to the sound it would make as if my wheels were rubbing up against something even though I know they are not.

3.) Everything in terms of the suspension is stock so its not 13 years and 113k miles old.

4.) Thanks

99VSixer

Correction: I meant to say it IS 13 years and 113k miles old for the suspension.

petrock

If the shocks are stock, then you need new ones. They generally last about 60-70k miles. I would also check out your control arm bushings (both front and rear), inner/outer tie rods, sway bar bushings, rack-n-pinion bushings, and ball joints. If they are worn out it could cause all kinds of strange bumps/bangs/knocks etc while driving and often times cause pre-mature tire wear.

Replacing any of the components I listed in the front end will require an alignment. So keep that in mind. Better to do it all in one shot then doing it in stages.

Matt's 95 Stang

I think 1,3, and 4, have been answered so I will take a guess at 2. You might want to check your brakes dust sheild. They are very thin and easy to bend when you are doing any work on the rearend. It could have been bent and is now rubbing when the car is in motion.

Matthew

Stein

With the brakes, it could be that the squealer tab already broke or fell off, and the pads are just ground off completely?

99VSixer

Thanks for all the responses fellas, I will be looking into everything that has been said this weekend. Havent had time to do it during the week.

One more thing. When its cold Outside when I first start my car up it makes a ticking noise from somewhere under the car, It goes away within 5 minutes everytime. This week is the first week we have had decent temperatures (60+) and i Have not heard it once when its nice outside. Coincidence?

Matt's 95 Stang

The ticking is coming from the passanger side exhaust manifold. Comman problem with the New Edges is the A/C drips down on the exhaust manifold and causes the weld to break. You can either have it welded back together or replace it.

Matthew