03 Cobra Issue

bullitt1939

Member
Jul 18, 2009
58
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6
We have an 03 Sonic Blue Cobra with lots of mods and 10k miles. We have had it a few years now and recently it started doing something crazy. It will run fine for about 23 minutes or so then just shutdown even if you are driving down the road. Doesn't matter if you run it hard or not will run perfect for about 23 minutes or so then just kill. It will turn over after it dies, but won't run. It acts like it is starving for fuel. If you let it set for a couple hours will run perfect again for the same amount of time. So far changed fuel pump, fuel filter, put a brand new battery, CPS, and FPDM. The check engine light is not coming on to throw a code. I am getting 29 psi fuel pressure on a manual gauge at idle and 55 psi with just key on. Car runs for roughly 23 minutes every time. At that point pressure will drop to 12 psi, then 10 psi, then 5 psi and die out. It will idle rough a short time longer, but if you hit the gas it will die instantly. I have been trying to check for any wires that may have issues causing the problem only once the engine is warmed up. I have done a test to check ccrm using fpdm and it shows power is good. I haven't tested it once hot though that is cold. I don't think I can do a data log with the scanner I have as it won't recognize the car due to the custom tune. Reason I am also scared to send off the ECU as it has the tune programmed in from Paul's Performance when the car was built several years ago will be lost. This small issue has been a nightmare moreless. Of all the cars we have I have never had one doing this. I am sure it is a simple fix with a wire or electrical component just haven't tracked down the right one yet! Has anyone else had this problem? I am not sure where to go from here is it something overheating, electrical, sensor, or a fuel issue.
 
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Sounds similar to a problem I just had with my 96 GT convertible. Mine would run for about 45 minutes and would act like it ran out of gas. If I let the car cool down and waited about an hour, it would crank up and run fine for another approximate 45 mins. I first changed the fuel filter, but no joy. Ended up buying a 255 lph Walbro fuel pump to replace the stock pump. The car ran and ran better, but something still wasn't right. Had issues with the A/C not always working right, the engine ran extremely hot, radiator fans didn't always come on at the right time, and still acted like it was starving for fuel at WOT. I changed the CCRM and runs like a champ now. CCRM ironically controls the ECU, A/C, radiator fans, and therefore engine temp.

Maybe you should look closer at the CCRM? Any other symptoms? Hope this helps...
 
I have replaced the CCRM in my 01 bullitt several years back and I want to say it was a fuel related issue. Main reason I know it is there. I think I listed most of what I have come across on this car so far with the exception that something like the fan is kicking on at key on without starting it. I don't recall that being normal, but I will look next time to see if the a/c was on as I read somewhere if the a/c is on it will kick the fan on automatically. That is not my problem the issue of starving itself for fuel after 23 minutes has me puzzled. CCRM could very well be the problem or could be a fused/frayed wire causing an issue after it heats up. I will check the CCRM next and then I have a noid set to check the wiring on injectors if that is not issue. I am sure it is a simple fix just a pain tracking it down.
 
Just want to follow up on this issue. It turned out to be the frps causing the issues all along. We fixed the fuel issue then the car started to overheat (well according to the gauge and scanner) for the first time. We let it idle sometime in the heat so I will see if it happens again to make sure there is really an overheating issue.