Hey guys, here we go again. Initially i thought my car was having a problem with its O2 Sensor, it still could be but likely not... every so often when i get on it it begins to cut out, then all of a sudden it will catch and start hauling a** again. also the check engine light comes on while this is happening. what type of tool can i purchase to make the code show up while i am driving? i can't check it at idle because it only does it with a load on it. 91 Mustang with engine trouble!

The codes are stored in the computer. You will need a scan tool to retrieve them.

Do you have a WAI or CAI on the car?

I put a WAI on my cavalier about a year ago and instead of drilling a hole for the intake air temp sensor I zip-tied it to the air filter, one day it fell off and was sitting against the exhaust manifold and I didn't know it and the car started acting up just like you describe.

I have heard of this happening to a few other people also.

If not you can buy a code reader for about $30

Ditch? Ditch? Oh, I thought you said...........





tom

The computer stores codes for things that happen when you're driving, and will spit them out when you're back at the house with the engine off. Mine said all kinds of stuff the first time, but I cleared the codes & drove it a bit until it acted up again, then went home & it only threw the TPS code. I borrowed a TPS from another car & it worked fine, so I bought a new one & it's been working great. There's a lot to be said for a system that will tell you what's wrong without you even having to get dirty.

Unless they changed something between '88 & '91, all you need to test it is a cheap analog voltmeter (I paid ~$5 at Harbor Freight) & a couple of jumper wires, along with a list of the trouble codes (one of the Haynes books should have them, or see the site below), and a pencil & paper to write down the codes as they show up. It took me a few tries to get used to the pattern of pulses, but it gets easy pretty quick. The connectors are found hanging out of a wire harness near the driver's side rear of the engine compartment. There's a diagram or two & some instructions at this site:

http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html#TSTS

i actually had a similar problem in my 97 chrysler cirrus (spelling on that, its actually my brothers car) any who when you put your foot into it your foot would go to the floor and the rpms would drop down to about 1200. other than that it would work fine however it did start to get worse and it turns out it was the fuel pump. im not sayin thats your problem but its just a thought.

-charlie