FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / Without pix it didn't happen...so, if I don't post theses.....

**Posted by Bullet Bob** 10/23/2024 8:16 AM

It started this foolishness at last years Bash. Just shut off, then restart and run fine. I swapped the TFI at MS's shop and it ran fine all the way home...problem fixed!
We drove it to Lincoln, NE on May first and back (1700 miles) with no issues. Then in the summer it started doing it again and I managed to test a "no spark" situation during one of it's "moments". Swapped a coil and it took off. Problem fixed, again!
Drove it to Bako with no problem but after the trip to Mustang MD it acted up once, then was fine.
After the Bash we drove a hundred miles to Jean's brother's place with no trouble. A couple of days later we got on I-5 to make a trip to visit Jean's cousin in Fountain Valley. 9:30 in the morning on I-5 in the middle of L.A. It quit twice and re-started.
Not going to deal with this for the nearly 1000 miles home! I hate it but I had to decide to quit while we were ahead. No physical damage to us or the car, called Hagarty and got a haul to our friends place in San Jacinto (101 miles). Hagarty covered 100, the last one cost me $7.50, not bad. Called Uhaul and reserved a truck/trailer for Saturday 10-19, loaded the Heap and left for home Sunday. Got here, all in one piece, Monday.
Got a couple of projects for the Heap planned for the winter....after I fix my leaky lift, so I'll just add fixing the ignition "auto-shut down" issue also. Gonna start at the ignition switch (may be OEM) and work my way forward.
On the bright side, the new 4R70W and Bauman controller works great.
For what it's worth, this car did it's first Bash in 2010 in Waxahachy, TX followed by Kalispell, Wemberly, Fort Walton Beach, Vandalia II, and New Braunfels with no issues other than a case of loose nuts on the way to Ft. Walton Beach. It also has been to Waco, Junction City, KS, and Lincoln, NE for mini bashes.
So....I guess it deserved a rest and a ride home. I'm pretty sure I'm going to find something pretty simple but the finding is going to take a little digging.
See ya'all in '25 at Bash 22.

BB

**Posted by Rufus68** 10/23/2024 8:30 AM

Check your grounds. What kind and how old is your alternator? Is it common during all the issues?

**Posted by Bullet Bob** 10/23/2024 9:10 AM

Rufus68 wrote:
Check your grounds. What kind and how old is your alternator? Is it common during all the issues?

Car is EEC-IV equipped and has solid grounds, or has for a long time, as I fully understand the need for proper, solid, grounding. But, I will check the system again and thanks for the heads-up. As for the alternator, it's a 3G which is about three years old so, yes, it has been common during this issue. Not sure how the alternator could cause the behavior I'm seeing but I'm willing to listen.

BB

**Posted by Rufus68** 10/23/2024 9:26 AM

I was just wondering if your issues could be caused by some sort electrical surge. The electronic components are sensitive. For example, the voltage regulator in your 3G could have a questionable component that results in an intermittent spike. Another thing to verify would be to see if any sort of electrical RF signal could be causing a surge. Of course, I don't know but I remember reading that issues can be caused by having a noisy wire routed beside a sensitive wire. If all of this is in the left field, feel free to ignore. But sometimes the intermittent failures have unexpected causes.

**Posted by MS** 10/23/2024 9:55 AM

Well, at least you got to experience one of those super nice uhaul car-haulers. Those things are great. Sorry you had trouble. I’m sure you will figure it out. I’m betting on ignition switch.
Hurry up, because I’m itching for a mini bash soon.

**Posted by Bullet Bob** 10/23/2024 11:10 AM

Probably no Mini-Bashes for me until spring, regardless.

**Posted by Bullet Bob** 10/23/2024 11:11 AM

Rufus68 wrote:
I was just wondering if your issues could be caused by some sort electrical surge. The electronic components are sensitive. For example, the voltage regulator in your 3G could have a questionable component that results in an intermittent spike. Another thing to verify would be to see if any sort of electrical RF signal could be causing a surge. Of course, I don't know but I remember reading that issues can be caused by having a noisy wire routed beside a sensitive wire. If all of this is in the left field, feel free to ignore. But sometimes the intermittent failures have unexpected causes.

I appreciate the thinking, Rufus.

**Posted by Nos681** 10/23/2024 6:40 PM

Have you had a chance to pull codes from ECM Bullet?

I realize sitting on highway with your co-pilot is not an ideal place to do that.

**Posted by Bullet Bob** 10/24/2024 5:54 AM

Nos681 wrote:
Have you had a chance to pull codes from ECM Bullet?

I realize sitting on highway with your co-pilot is not an ideal place to do that.

Haven't yet Dan, but I'd be willing to bet that all it will have are a 42 & 92 which it has randomly dropped for years. Both HEGOs not switching, LEAN. I can't recall if it did that with both ECMs. Gonna have a lot of quality time with it this winter.
The Heap has to wait 'til I get the lift operational again.

**Posted by BobE** 10/24/2024 10:27 AM

Intermittent electrical problems are the most troublesome to locate. If it “just cuts out”, then works again w/o doing anything, I’d suspect a bad connection. I know this doesn’t help much, but check any connectors for a poor contact within the connector. Maybe put a dab of “DeoxIt” on each contact. Bad contacts don't always look bad.
Good luck.

**Posted by Steve69** 10/24/2024 10:40 AM

Thats sucks BB! Im sure you'll get it all figured out. I've been debating on switching out my whole harness with a new one.

Steve69

**Posted by boss347convertible** 10/24/2024 11:02 AM

BB, I am 2 miles from Fountain Valley. If there is a next time, call me. I have two empty bedrooms, a well equipped garage, and access to two shops. Glad you made it home safely.

**Posted by 6sally6** 10/24/2024 4:37 PM

boss347convertible wrote:
BB, I am 2 miles from Fountain Valley. If there is a next time, call me. I have two empty bedrooms, a well equipped garage, and access to two shops. Glad you made it home safely.

Coming from the 'new-guy-at-the-Bash'.......
Whata stand-up guy !!! (Must be the first name !?!)
NICE !
6sally6

**Posted by rpm** 10/24/2024 6:21 PM

6sally6 wrote:
boss347convertible wrote:
BB, I am 2 miles from Fountain Valley. If there is a next time, call me. I have two empty bedrooms, a well equipped garage, and access to two shops. Glad you made it home safely.
Coming from the 'new-guy-at-the-Bash'.......
Whata stand-up guy !!! (Must be the first name !?!)
NICE !
6sally6

Why would you mention his first name since yours is Sally?

**Posted by John Ha** **Online!** 10/25/2024 7:02 AM

After dealing with all the things that were wrong with mine in the few years after I bought it, I've learned that owning an old car is not for the timid. Every drive can be a new adventure and a test of a person's character - and not all of us deal well with it.

I sincerely hope it all turns out well and that you are correct about the issue being something simple.

Last edited by John Ha (10/25/2024 7:03 AM)

**Posted by Bullet Bob** 11/01/2024 9:15 AM

Mike: I just found your post of 10-24...been doing a bunch of other stuff. I really want to thank you for the offer. As it worked out I managed to drag the exhaust on a high crown driveway while turning around after we got off of the freeway. That seems to have pushed the headpipe into the shift linkage. That and the fact that my co-pilot was not happy with the prospect of nursing it home helped me make the decision to trailer it. More $$ but less hassle. Ended up taking it to friends in Hemet and forgetting about the Fountain Valley visit. Then loaded it onto the Uhaul for the trip to Colorado. Thanks again for the offer, amazing group we have here as I'm sure you discovered in your first Bash trip...hope we see you again next year.

John: Right you are, John, about being able to deal with it. I can and would have tried to nurse it home but...my girl would have been very nervous all the way, and it likely would have quit a time or two more...not worth it.
You need to get to a Bash too, John. Hook up with Dan next time he's heading south, or Alan over in Kansas. My issues not withstanding, driving across the country in these thinks is an absolute blast. Hope to meet you someday....soon! Who knows how much more cruising time I have. LOL

BB