[Megawatts88]

I had this issue with my car a couple weeks ago but I changed out the fuel filter and it seemed to fix it but now its back.

I was out driving through town today and was stopped at a stop light when my car started running rough. I put the car in idle and pumped the gas and it seemed to start running smoother but as soon as I put the car in drive it went back to a very rough idle and pumping the pedal didnt help. It eventually stalled and I couldnt get it started again. My friends and I pushed it into an empty parking lot and I went through a few steps. I checked and made sure the pump switch in the trunk was fine and it was. I went back and tried to start the engine and it wouldnt run. The engine would start and turn over a few seconds and then stall and die again. After a couple turns it stopped even turning over. I kept thinking it was fuel related so I went and relieved the pressure on the fuel rails by use of the pressure relief valve on the fuel rail. When I did this it did spit out some gas but seemed to throw out a lot of air. After clearing the line I attempted to start the car. The engine turned over and ran for a few seconds. I revved the engine and it did well but then started to run rough, lope, then stall again. I repeated these steps a few time and each time I cleared the fuel rail pressure I would get a lil bit of fuel and then it seemed like air was coming out and the engine would run and then stall.

I am not real knowledgeable on the technical aspects of the fuel system but I am thinking it has something to do with the fuel pump. The weather was really hot, approx 100, but the engine therm sensor did not read that the motor was hot. I am thinking its not normal for their to be air in the lines or maybe im just ignorant of the aspects of the fuel system. Also, when I turn on the ignition I can hear the pump priming, if that helps any.

Sorry for the long read but I wanted to make sure I put in everything that I covered and hopefully it will help in diagnosing. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[PacificMustang01]

I'd start w/ first checking all of your connections. Perhaps you didn't get a good seal when attaching the fuel lines to the fuel filter. I have an 2001 v6, getting the damn connections off required me buying a special coupler remover. If you just used a screw driver (as I tried at first) you could have damaged the fitting or seal. Logical mechanism for air getting into your lines.

Next guess would be the pump. Do you hear it when you first turn the key to run but don't start the engine? But I think they are very quite in these cars so maybe have a friend stand by the tank to listen. Then check all your wires/connections back there, maybe you knocked something loose. Heck, even trip your shut off inerta switch a couple times, maybe it's just not making a good connection or that connection is loose.

It always seems like 80% + of the time its someting easy and simple.

Hope it's not your pump, I think the shop manual says you've got to drop the tank to replace it. Good luck, keep us posted

[Megawatts88]

I still am not sure as to what was wrong. However, I do have a lil bit to add. I went back this afternoon to do a little tinkering and when I went to start it I had no trouble and it started right up. I let it sit and idle for a bit and there were no problems so I revved the motor a few times. It had good response and sounded fine. I was able to drive it back to my apt and didnt have any trouble with it.

I dont want to pass this off as just another hickup. I know there is bound to be something that is going to go wrong sooner or later and I want to get a jump on it. I dont know if this would cancel out it being a problem with the fuel pump or not. Anyone have any ideas as to why it would run just fine now?

[Megawatts88]

Originally Posted by PacificMustang01 I'd start w/ first checking all of your connections. Perhaps you didn't get a good seal when attaching the fuel lines to the fuel filter. I have an 2001 v6, getting the damn connections off required me buying a special coupler remover. If you just used a screw driver (as I tried at first) you could have damaged the fitting or seal. Logical mechanism for air getting into your lines. Next guess would be the pump. Do you hear it when you first turn the key to run but don't start the engine? But I think they are very quite in these cars so maybe have a friend stand by the tank to listen. Then check all your wires/connections back there, maybe you knocked something loose. Heck, even trip your shut off inerta switch a couple times, maybe it's just not making a good connection or that connection is loose. It always seems like 80% + of the time its someting easy and simple. Hope it's not your pump, I think the shop manual says you've got to drop the tank to replace it. Good luck, keep us posted

I have checked all the connections and they are good. I do hear the pump priming when I turn the key on.

[2002 BLK GT]

I'm pretty sure it has something to do with one of these things the spark plugs, wires and coils, and fuel injectors if the plugs look bad change them motocraft ones are ok, any mods to the car? like offroad midpipe?, cai?

I'm giving you different options since I had read/heard of people changing their fuel pump and still having this problems, but if you still think its somthing with the pump, check the fuel pressure, I had a similar problem the car felt slow till 3k rpms, and I just tight the sensor connected to the stock cai and it worked with just that, now I just have a bad idle which by cleaning the maf and iac will get rid of that.

Hope it helps...

[Megawatts88]

Originally Posted by Big Daddys Stang I'm pretty sure it has something to do with one of these things the spark plugs, wires and coils, and fuel injectors if the plugs look bad change them motocraft ones are ok, any mods to the car? like offroad midpipe?, cai? I'm giving you different options since I had read/heard of people changing their fuel pump and still having this problems, but if you still think its somthing with the pump, check the fuel pressure, I had a similar problem the car felt slow till 3k rpms, and I just tight the sensor connected to the stock cai and it worked with just that, now I just have a bad idle which by cleaning the maf and iac will get rid of that. Hope it helps...

I just replaced the spark plugs a few hundred miles back. I dont currently have any engine mods right now. While im at ill prob go through and see the sensors need tightening or cleaning.

How would I check the fuel pressure?

Thanks for the input, reps

[Megawatts88]

Just how loud are the fuel pumps supposed to be. I am sitting here idling with my radio on and windows down and I can still hear the wine of the fuel pump. The idle is a lil rough but nothing to complain about.

[2002 BLK GT]

Heres a write up....

Check the fuel delivery system of the Ford Mustang if the engine is running rough, hesitating, stalling out while driving or not starting at all.
#
Step 2

Release fuel system pressure. Disconnect the negative battery cable and loosen the cap on the fuel pressure relief valve. Let the pressure release and then tighten the cap.
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Step 3

Disconnect the fuel pressure sensor vacuum hose and check for fuel in the line. Refer to the owner's manual for the line's location if you aren't sure where it is. If there is fuel present in the line, the fuel delivery problem is likely because of a faulty fuel pump pressure regulator, which means the fuel is flowing back into the lines instead of into the engine and there is not enough fuel in the engine for proper function. If there is no fuel in the lines, reattach the vacuum hose and continue with the fuel delivery diagnostic.
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Step 4

Remove the fuel pressure relief valve's cap and attach a fuel pressure test gauge. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Start the engine and let it idle. Check the pressure gauge. It needs to read between 30 and 45 pounds per square inch. Pressure that's too high is another indicator that the pressure regulator is malfunctioning. Pressure that's too low indicates that the fuel filter is clogged or that the fuel pump is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
#
Step 5

Cut the engine, remove the pressure gauge and the negative battery cable again so you can safely remove the fuel filter to check for clogs. Remove the plastic clips from the fuel line fitting. Take out the fuel line and extract the fuel filter.
#
Step 6

Examine the filter for clogs and replace it with a new one if necessary. If there are no clogs, the fuel delivery problem is probably caused by a faulty fuel pump.
#
Step 7

Install or reinstall the fuel filter. Reattach the fuel line to the filter and reconnect the fuel line fitting. Use new plastic clips to hold the fitting in place.

You get the gauge at autozone.....

[2002 BLK GT]

Originally Posted by Megawatts88 Just how loud are the fuel pumps supposed to be. I am sitting here idling with my radio on and windows down and I can still hear the wine of the fuel pump. The idle is a lil rough but nothing to complain about.

After changing the fuel filter mines loud, I heard it makes that sound cuz I live it till almost 0 gas, and it makes the sound cuz its sucking air, with low gas, and I notice what I have a leak on my fuel lines lol, I just went 140 miles with the full tank!!, I'm gonna fix this tomorrow......

[ninja10r]

Meggawatts88,
What branch you in? I read your quote at the bottom of your post. Interesting...

[Megawatts88]

I am currently AF reserves while I am going through college.

........which quote was interesting??