I just got a 1990 Mustang Coupe 5 spd 4 cyl as my daily driver. Needed something good on gas.

When first started I have to keep my foot on the gas for a minute or so, so it won't cut out. After that it's fine.

I plan on doing a tune up, new cap, rotor, oil change, the plug wires look relatively new.

Right before the car cuts out, the idle surges up and down and the volt gauge reads low too. Not sure if that's important.

 

Thats what you get when you buy a mustang:lala:. I don't know about mustangs but my camaro did the same thing after i had the engine steam cleaned. The dummies didn't cover up my sensors and the throttle position sensor got wet I guess. I replaced it and it was fine.

 

First off make sure your battery connections are clean and tight. I'm not sure if the voltage drop is the reason for the cutting out, or a result of the revs dropping too low.

Pull the codes. You can do it cheap with just a jumper wire. This site will show you how

http://www.promustangs.com/test1.html

Now all codes trigger a check engine light. You might find the EGR being faulty or something when you run them.

Clean out the EGR valve, the Idle Air bypass valve and replace various cheap sensors when you do your tune up. The sensors on the Throttle body are what controls idle and usually is the cause for surging and stalling.

If that doesn't help, swing over to www.stangnet.com and check out the 2.3L Forum. Lots of good info going on there for the 40banger Mustangs.

Oh yeah, i used to own a 1990 2.3L Hatchback. Fun little car but slow as hell.

FYI 87-90 2.3L's were 88HP, 91-93's were 105HP

 

Thanks for the help, one more thing. The check engine light will blink on and off when the idle surges.

 

Could also be the VAM .. but yeah I think Mustang5L5 pretty much covered it all.

Also, note that the stock cam in the 2.3 is really really bad ... some people blame the cam for alot of the problems related to dieing out and stuff.

 

ANother reason to pull the codes. Something is crapping out causing the surge. Instead of guessing, just pull the code and find out for sure


I'm guessing the TPS or IAB is crapping out

 

for a camaro tbi where is the EGR (what does it look like) and how do you clean it. thanks

 

Should be on the passenger side of the manifold towards the back.

 

hey mark.... dont know a whole lot about mustangs but my camaro is doing something similar.. when i first start it wants to die and my engine light will be on, i work at a chevy dealership and i pulled an EGR code out of it, the plunger inside the EGR is sticking when it is real hot and muggy out you might have a similar problem.. not for sure though just a thought for ya

 

Thanks, my brother said the EGR looked fairly new. May not be though.