HELP Please!! I'm not sure what is going on! Kobra Lx this may relate to you.

MEC89 · 10-03-2001, 01:07 PM

This problem may relate to KobraLx's problem.
I have an 89 lx 5.0, with only 16 thousand miles on it, show car mostly. Anyway, over the summer I was driving it and after 15 miles of fun it shut down, instantly, just like turning off the key while driving. I looked at everything I could think of, which may not be that much, and I came to the conclusion that it was the fuel pump. My reasoning for this was becasue I could not hear the fuel pump pressurize the system when you first turn the key, before you actually turn the key further to start the car. To further confuse the situation, I get the darn thing home via a rollback and the next day she starts right up. So I drained the tank and put in a brand new ford pump along with a new filter. Problem solved right...wrong. This past weekend the car did the same thing, but I also could not hear the pump, just like last time. By the time the rollback came to get me the car started up, in fact, I drove it on and off the rollback. I have no idea where to start with this problem, it isn't like the car has a ton of miles on it, it is barely over 16k. My father had the idea that maybe it could be a short in the wiring, but I am not sure about that, for one, with so few miles how could the car develop a short? Anyway, you guys & girls can lay it on me, I need all the help I can get.

Thank you.

HiFlow5 0 · 10-03-2001, 01:36 PM

check for a short in the stearing colum. the wiring harness may be lose.

do u have an alarm on the car?

------------------
89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's.

89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater!
MY89GT

vande97 · 10-03-2001, 01:47 PM

i dont know if this will help but , does the car roll over when you hit the key? there was a recall on the 88 (mine) for the ignition switch, but it was un announced. Also maybe chech all your ground connections, like the one on the back of belthousing and on intake for the wiring harness. just a guess

do you have any mods done to this car?

PKRWUD · 10-03-2001, 01:58 PM

Do the warning lights come on when this is hapening? If not, it's your ignition switch. If they do come on, check the fuel pump relay under your seat.

Take care
~Chris

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: JimPorterRacing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN. The best tool you'll ever have, and it's free !!!

MEC89 · 10-03-2001, 03:21 PM

The car has few mods but is factory modified, long story but in short the car was a special order with pre-installed factory modifications.
The warning light never comes on when this happens. I know the car was services for one particular recall, but I cannot remember which one it was. I do know that it was not the ignition switch or anything similar.
The car does have an alarm on it, but it is not capable of intensionally disrupting the starter or the ignition much less the fuel system.
And the car does turn over just like it should, it would turn over all day untill the battery dies.
So anymore suggestions since I posted this? HiFlow50....how do I check the ignition switch you speak of, I guess what I am trying to ask is how do I remove the steering colum cover and them what do I look for?

Godslayer · 10-03-2001, 03:27 PM

Personally, if you are not getting fuel and cannot hear the (new) pump, I would check the fuel pump relay as Chris suggested. I believe it is in the hatch area on your car though. If I remember correctly it'll be on the left side of the latch behind the insulation. Push it down a few times even if it doesn't seem to be tripped. Good luck.

Bob

5ohCOUPE · 10-03-2001, 04:35 PM

I AGREE, I WOULD CHECK THE FUEL PUMP RELAY UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE ENERSHIA SWITCH ON THE LEFT REAR OF THE TRUNK AREA. EITHER ONE COULD BE GOING BAD. I THINK THATS HOW YOU SPELL ENERSHIA.

------------------
91 LX COUPE, 3.73 GEARS, 2 1/2 INCH FULL EXHAUST, 1 5/8 SHORTY HEADERS, 73 MM C&L MAF, 70 MM MAC TB, LUNATI CAM, WINDSOR JR HEADS, GT 40 INTAKE WITH PORTED LOWER, WORLD CLASS T5 WITH PRO 5.0 SHIFTER, GRIFFIN ALUMINUM RADIATOR, FLUID DAMPER, SSM TRACTION BARS, 150 HP SHOT N2O KIT, 190 GPH FUEL PUMP. AND MORE TO COME.
BEST TIME ON BOTTLE---11.51 @123
BEST TIME ON MOTOR---12.63 @109

HiFlow5 0 · 10-03-2001, 07:33 PM

i had this same problem a few months ago. turn the key and nothen, the fuel pump wouldn't prime either. under the steering colum theres a wiring harness that plugs in right below the steering wheel. u have to unscrew the plasic cover to get at the harness. my harness had a broken clip so it wasen't pluged in correctly and would jiggle loose. when that happened my alarm would take over thinking the car was being hot wired and totally shut everything down, nothen would work at all. after some time had passed and the alarm reset itself and i could start it again, only if the harness happened to move in the right direction. it was very frustrating.

on the other hand that might not be your problem. it could be your fuel pump relay. thats easier to check, so i would do that first.

------------------
89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's.

89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater!
MY89GT

MEC89 · 10-04-2001, 12:53 PM

So what am I looking for if I check the fuel relay, that is under the seat right? How do I know it is faulty? Likewise, how do I check the inertia switch...the fuel shut off switch in the trunk?
(on the other hand that might not be your problem. it could be your fuel pump relay. thats easier to check, so i would do that first.)

KobraLX · 10-05-2001, 12:25 PM

Damn where would I be with out BBS especially Mustang related....

You guys are damn geniuses..

I never thought about my alarm tripping or the inertia switch (255/40's so I take corners hard - like I just had before she quit) or the fuel pump relay eventhough I replaced it 20,000 or 30,000 miles ago.

I am going to look into some of these things this weekend.

andy669 · 10-07-2001, 09:33 AM

If I remember right, on the relay there are 2 big terminals and 3 little ones. The next time this happens unplug the relay and put a jumper wire between the 2 big terminals on the plug. You might try the same thing to the inertia switch as well.
andy

------------------
3 Black 94 GT Vert. AODE/TKO conversion, 3:73's, ported X-305's, GT40 manifolds, 75mm TB, 30lbers, PMS, 300 horse Top Gun wet kit, and all the other little stuff

LX5liter · 10-07-2001, 11:20 AM

I think for the price of a relay I would just replace it. Intermittent problems like that are a pain and the only way to find them is when the problem actually arises, and then you don't have the time or the tools. It definitly sounds like a relay though.

------------------
B.R.
L.X. 5.0 coupe
Cruise control,power mirrors,...and Thats it!

10-03-2001, 01:07 PM	#1
MEC89 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ky, US Posts: 13	HELP Please!! I'm not sure what is going on! Kobra Lx this may relate to you. This problem may relate to KobraLx's problem. I have an 89 lx 5.0, with only 16 thousand miles on it, show car mostly. Anyway, over the summer I was driving it and after 15 miles of fun it shut down, instantly, just like turning off the key while driving. I looked at everything I could think of, which may not be that much, and I came to the conclusion that it was the fuel pump. My reasoning for this was becasue I could not hear the fuel pump pressurize the system when you first turn the key, before you actually turn the key further to start the car. To further confuse the situation, I get the darn thing home via a rollback and the next day she starts right up. So I drained the tank and put in a brand new ford pump along with a new filter. Problem solved right...wrong. This past weekend the car did the same thing, but I also could not hear the pump, just like last time. By the time the rollback came to get me the car started up, in fact, I drove it on and off the rollback. I have no idea where to start with this problem, it isn't like the car has a ton of miles on it, it is barely over 16k. My father had the idea that maybe it could be a short in the wiring, but I am not sure about that, for one, with so few miles how could the car develop a short? Anyway, you guys & girls can lay it on me, I need all the help I can get. Thank you.

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10-03-2001, 01:36 PM	#2
HiFlow5 0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Springfield, Ma, usa Posts: 706	check for a short in the stearing colum. the wiring harness may be lose. do u have an alarm on the car? ------------------ 89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's. 89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater! MY89GT

10-03-2001, 01:47 PM	#3
vande97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: okemos Posts: 205	i dont know if this will help but , does the car roll over when you hit the key? there was a recall on the 88 (mine) for the ignition switch, but it was un announced. Also maybe chech all your ground connections, like the one on the back of belthousing and on intake for the wiring harness. just a guess do you have any mods done to this car?

10-03-2001, 01:58 PM	#4
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Do the warning lights come on when this is hapening? If not, it's your ignition switch. If they do come on, check the fuel pump relay under your seat. Take care ~Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: JimPorterRacing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN. The best tool you'll ever have, and it's free !!!

10-03-2001, 03:21 PM	#5
MEC89 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ky, US Posts: 13	The car has few mods but is factory modified, long story but in short the car was a special order with pre-installed factory modifications. The warning light never comes on when this happens. I know the car was services for one particular recall, but I cannot remember which one it was. I do know that it was not the ignition switch or anything similar. The car does have an alarm on it, but it is not capable of intensionally disrupting the starter or the ignition much less the fuel system. And the car does turn over just like it should, it would turn over all day untill the battery dies. So anymore suggestions since I posted this? HiFlow50....how do I check the ignition switch you speak of, I guess what I am trying to ask is how do I remove the steering colum cover and them what do I look for?

10-03-2001, 03:27 PM	#6
Godslayer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Largo, FL USA Posts: 274	Personally, if you are not getting fuel and cannot hear the (new) pump, I would check the fuel pump relay as Chris suggested. I believe it is in the hatch area on your car though. If I remember correctly it'll be on the left side of the latch behind the insulation. Push it down a few times even if it doesn't seem to be tripped. Good luck. Bob

10-03-2001, 04:35 PM	#7
5ohCOUPE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ORANGE PARK FL. USA Posts: 208	I AGREE, I WOULD CHECK THE FUEL PUMP RELAY UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE ENERSHIA SWITCH ON THE LEFT REAR OF THE TRUNK AREA. EITHER ONE COULD BE GOING BAD. I THINK THATS HOW YOU SPELL ENERSHIA. ------------------ 91 LX COUPE, 3.73 GEARS, 2 1/2 INCH FULL EXHAUST, 1 5/8 SHORTY HEADERS, 73 MM C&L MAF, 70 MM MAC TB, LUNATI CAM, WINDSOR JR HEADS, GT 40 INTAKE WITH PORTED LOWER, WORLD CLASS T5 WITH PRO 5.0 SHIFTER, GRIFFIN ALUMINUM RADIATOR, FLUID DAMPER, SSM TRACTION BARS, 150 HP SHOT N2O KIT, 190 GPH FUEL PUMP. AND MORE TO COME. BEST TIME ON BOTTLE---11.51 @123 BEST TIME ON MOTOR---12.63 @109

10-03-2001, 07:33 PM	#8
HiFlow5 0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Springfield, Ma, usa Posts: 706	i had this same problem a few months ago. turn the key and nothen, the fuel pump wouldn't prime either. under the steering colum theres a wiring harness that plugs in right below the steering wheel. u have to unscrew the plasic cover to get at the harness. my harness had a broken clip so it wasen't pluged in correctly and would jiggle loose. when that happened my alarm would take over thinking the car was being hot wired and totally shut everything down, nothen would work at all. after some time had passed and the alarm reset itself and i could start it again, only if the harness happened to move in the right direction. it was very frustrating. on the other hand that might not be your problem. it could be your fuel pump relay. thats easier to check, so i would do that first. ------------------ 89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's. 89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater! MY89GT

10-04-2001, 12:53 PM	#9
MEC89 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ky, US Posts: 13	So what am I looking for if I check the fuel relay, that is under the seat right? How do I know it is faulty? Likewise, how do I check the inertia switch...the fuel shut off switch in the trunk? (on the other hand that might not be your problem. it could be your fuel pump relay. thats easier to check, so i would do that first.)

10-05-2001, 12:25 PM	#10
KobraLX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hillbilly Cajun Posts: 25	Damn where would I be with out BBS especially Mustang related.... You guys are damn geniuses.. I never thought about my alarm tripping or the inertia switch (255/40's so I take corners hard - like I just had before she quit) or the fuel pump relay eventhough I replaced it 20,000 or 30,000 miles ago. I am going to look into some of these things this weekend.

10-07-2001, 09:33 AM	#11
andy669 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Moline Il Posts: 901	If I remember right, on the relay there are 2 big terminals and 3 little ones. The next time this happens unplug the relay and put a jumper wire between the 2 big terminals on the plug. You might try the same thing to the inertia switch as well. andy ------------------ 3 Black 94 GT Vert. AODE/TKO conversion, 3:73's, ported X-305's, GT40 manifolds, 75mm TB, 30lbers, PMS, 300 horse Top Gun wet kit, and all the other little stuff

10-07-2001, 11:20 AM	#12
LX5liter dude5l Join Date: May 2001 Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada Posts: 603	I think for the price of a relay I would just replace it. Intermittent problems like that are a pain and the only way to find them is when the problem actually arises, and then you don't have the time or the tools. It definitly sounds like a relay though. ------------------ B.R. L.X. 5.0 coupe Cruise control,power mirrors,...and Thats it!