Help !!! need advice on a ford mustang problem

[72_rallye]

I know I'll get flack about asking help for a ford on here ,,,,but I was wondering if anyone out there knew of another site like this 1 dedicated to late model Ford Mustang GT's.  My friend has a 2002 that is stock other than the cold air induction package and it is acting up a bit. Starts fine but driving along at a steady speed it bucks a little as if maybe a plug is occasionally misfiring or an injector is acting up. However while accelerating it runs fine and runs fine while the cruise control is on,, only time it seems to do this is driving at about any steady speed cold or hot. It is a 5 spd and has about 48,000 miles on it.   Thanks for any guidance ( or jabbing ) you may have for us  !!

[OldGuy]

Don't know of a site - but is sounds like either a dirty injector or bad gas.  Don't know much about the spark plug set up but usually spark plugs don't occasionally misfire.  If it was a bad plug, it would be a constant misfire.  Maybe a problem with the electornic ignition   Just guessing.

[tecmopar]

There are a few Mustang web sites out there, Modularfords.com, Mustangforums.com, Modularpowerhouse.com, to name a few. Ask your friend if he changed his plugs to some off brand because that sounds like his problem. These motors really seem to like just the stock Motorcraft plugs. I have had quite a few people with this problem and when I removed their NGK's, Splitfires or whatever, it went away, good luck.

[dads_69]

I believe there are three TPS modules on the motor, Throttle Postion Sensor, sounds like won of them or more is bad. You can take it to a shop, have them plug in the OBD2 and see what is wrong for a min. half hour time is normal to check something like that out.
Mark

[Lostsheep_01]

My  brother-in-law bleeds ferd and he uses corral.net  (I only know this because he just left yesterday a holiday visit and he made mention of it.)

[TylerCharger69]

With newer cars these days...it can be anything.   It will need to be scanned to see if a code comes up.

[mikepmcs]

Code scanner will help big time and then get on the Pherd sites suggested above, report your findings and I bet someone can figure it out.  I'd start with injector cleaner and some new gas though, plugs etc...  remember could be something simple so start that way.  my.02
Good luck
v/r
Mike

[72_rallye]

Thanks for all the advice and sites !!!!  I knew I could count on Mopar People for some direction ,,,,this will help.  and not much flack either lol

[JMF]

forums.bradbarnett.net is a good place

[69chargeryeehaa]

i have a 2002 mustang gt, 5spd, totally stock except K&N air filter.  when i got the car it did exactly what you describe.  Does the check engine light ever come on?  Mine did'nt but i have a OBD2 code reader, and doing an running engine test with the reader connected i got a misfire code, that was on random cylinders, the car only had 32000kms on it.  So i went and got Champion copper plus el-cheap-o plugs, that was 70000+kms ago and the problem has never come back.  Stay away from those platinimum/irridium/titanimum/crappoium plugs!!!  One thing to remember when changing the plugs, allways use di-electric grease on the coil pack and the plugs, and put just a light coating of anti-seize on the plug threads, fords have a tendancy to strip plug threads if you leave plugs in too long, just like any modern allum head. 

[chgr500]

Likely a bad coil or a little water intrusion causing this hicup.  You will need a scan tool to monitor the spark duration to diagnose the concern to the specific cylinder.  Generally the second cylinder from the rear on the right bank is the culprit due to water dripping from the hood and contaminating the coil pack.  Also fuel filter replacement is recommended every 20000 km, but because you don't feel this on acceleration I doubt that this your concern, but still possible.  Lot's of poor quality fuel concerns out there these days.  Good luck

[d72hemi]

My Pherd f<k-ed-us did the same thing. it was the fuel pump. Just throughing one more thing out there.

[TylerCharger69]

yes...it can be a number of things with these computer driven vehicles

[chgr500]

yes...it can be a number of things with these computer driven vehicles

ya,  but with the proper diagnostic tools and vehicle information along with an understanding of the way the engine electronic system operates it is relatively simple to diagnose these and other types of concerns.
Let's not forget about the big horsepower and reliability these small engines offer
4.6 litre 500 H/P Roush  bumper to bumper 3 year 60000 km warranty
Lotsa fun to drive!!!!

[chgr500]

How about a rag top or even something more exotic with a supercharged 5.8 litre rear engine.  Supercharger pulley sits about a foot behind your head. 550 hp..... Kinda freaked me out when that air compressor started to zing,  but easy to get used to.  lol
Roush Mustangs have good suspension and brake upgrades,  but nothing compared to the stock Ford GT
(Indy car material)

[mikepmcs]

Make it stop!

[Silver R/T]

www.mustangforums.com great site with lots of tech help available