[optiquest]

About a month ago the universal joint snapped, break both o2 sensors with it, and 2 weeks after that my 96 Mustang gt dies on the way to work. The theft light blinks and it not start.

I had the guy who towed it take it to their shop, but after a few days they told me the PCM needed to be replaced and programmed by the dealership.

So I talked to the dealership today after its been there since Friday, and they tell me they want to change the (2) o2 sensors for $700. Would the o2 sensors cause theft light/no start problems, even after I had been driving around without them for about 2 weeks? I'm guessing they won't be willing do anything else till this is fixed because of how they troubleshoot. The dealership hasn't said anything about a PCM change.

What should I do? I don't think paying them $700 to change two $50 o2 sensors will have my car running.

[00MustangGtPremium]

The O2 sensors (as you probably already know) is for emissions so I dont think it would cause your problem. Id see if they could reprogram the PCM first before they replace it. Also the O2 sensors arent that expensive so its your choice if you want to replace them yourself or let the stealership do it for a mountain of cash

[optiquest]

I wasn't in a hurry to replace the o2 sensors but the way they are talking is that since its the most obvious thing wrong with the car(besides it not starting) that COULD be the problem. If they won't/can't work past that I'm thinking about changing them out in the parking lot up there but I don't know how much BS they will give me.

As far as the PCM, the first guys who looked at it said that it needed to be replaced and reprogrammed, would this more likely be the case by whats going on with the car?

How likely is an aftermarket entry/alarm to be the cause of this? It's been in there about a year.

[00MustangGtPremium]

If the PCM is not working the car wont work. Either the PCM got fried or the aftermarket alarm system disabled your car (killswitch). Also just swap out the O2 sensors yourself and save the money

[optiquest]

Originally Posted by 00MustangGtPremium If the PCM is not working the car wont work. Either the PCM got fried or the aftermarket alarm system disabled your car (killswitch). Also just swap out the O2 sensors yourself and save the money

I think the alarm only go so far as unlocking the doors and making noise. I got the remote wet at the beach a while back, and pulled out the wires to the alarm horn so I wouldnt have to listen to it on the way back.

From the dealers diagnosis:

"A ck car died out will not crank. see adv.
11FOZ01 ENGINE CONCERN
59203 CC
121987 Verified customer concern. Ran e/e/c/ test performed pinpoint. Found odes for rear 02's inspected 02 sensors found 02 sensors damaged and cioonnectors and wiring damage. Unable to perform additional diagnostics until above items are replaced and repaired. May need additional work.

B Multipoint inspection
00foz99p multi point inspect
59203 cc"

[00MustangGtPremium]

Originally Posted by optiquest I think the alarm only go so far as unlocking the doors and making noise. I got the remote wet at the beach a while back, and pulled out the wires to the alarm horn so I wouldnt have to listen to it on the way back. From the dealers diagnosis: "A ck car died out will not crank. see adv. 11FOZ01 ENGINE CONCERN 59203 CC 121987 Verified customer concern. Ran e/e/c/ test performed pinpoint. Found odes for rear 02's inspected 02 sensors found 02 sensors damaged and cioonnectors and wiring damage. Unable to perform additional diagnostics until above items are replaced and repaired. May need additional work. B Multipoint inspection 00foz99p multi point inspect 59203 cc"

Did you disable PATS when you put the aftermarket alarm system put in? PATS could have thought the car was being stolen and fried or disabled the car

[optiquest]

Originally Posted by 00MustangGtPremium Did you disable PATS when you put the aftermarket alarm system put in? PATS could have thought the car was being stolen and fried or disabled the car

I payed to have it installed

[00MustangGtPremium]

Originally Posted by optiquest I payed to have it installed

Chances are that the shop didnt disable PATS when they installed the aftermarket alarm system. You said that your car will turn over and then immediately stall right? Its either because PATS has disabled the PCM or the PCM is damaged.

[optiquest]

Thanks for the replies.

Payed 100 to the ford dealer today for their 'diagnosis,' and payed another 65 to have it towed to my house today. Had my neighbor look at it and he replaced a fuse that the first shop blew up 2 times, and... it started up. WTF?

Im glad it works but what the hell were these two places doing? Did my electrical problem somehow get fixed between the 5 towings? Going to ford tomorrow to get my money back.

I remember checking fuses soon as it died too, hmm.

[00MustangGtPremium]

Originally Posted by optiquest Thanks for the replies guys. Payed 100 to the ford dealer today for their 'diagnosis,' and payed another 65 to have it towed to my house today. Had my neighbor look at it and he replaced a fuse that the first shop blew up 2 times, and... it started up. WTF? Im glad it works but what the hell were these two places doing? Did my electrical problem somehow get fixed between the 5 towings? Going to ford tomorrow to get my money back. I remember checking fuses soon as it died too, hmm.

Good thing you didnt listen to me and get a new PCM lol. Good to hear its running. But thats strange that the fuse didnt blow this time. What fuse was it?

[fox_body_stang]

The dealership was trying to take you to the cleaners. They probably knew about the fuse and where going to replace the o2 and fuse and tell you the o2 where the cause and laugh as they cashed your check. That sound like a dealership I would stay a way from. If there techs seriously thought the o2 sensors would fix that problem I would have call BS immediately and taken it somewhere else. They should know good and well o2 sensors aren't going to trip the Theft.

Glad it was an easy fix, which fuse was blown?