Failsafe Mode Deactivation?

Discussion in '2005 - 2009 Specific Tech' started by FL2005GT, Aug 24, 2006.

  1. FL2005GT New Member

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    I love OBD! Like people in other threads, my car went into Failsafe Mode today for no apparent reason and actually shut the engine off entirely, in traffic. I'd been driving for about five minutes, everything was running fine, temp gauge was normal, nothing smelled hot. As the user's manual states, I did have a @#%$@ increase in steering and breaking effort when the engine shut itself down in rush hour traffic :mad:. I turned the car to off, started it again immediately, and had no error codes or further problems.

    My mods are: K&N Filter (filter only, factory intake), Flowmaster AT Axle-Backs, Hurst Short-Throw Shifter, Predator 93 Performance Tune

    Anyway, long story short, is there any known way to TURN OFF the damned Failsafe Mode feature? I'm pretty sure that, after driving for 18 years, I can tell when my engine is overheating without (malfunctioning, overly sensitive)computer assistance.
  2. Fourth Horseman New Member

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    This is just my opinion, so take with a grain of salt, but even if you do have a sensor or something that's being overly sensitive I still think it'd be worth your time to have it looked at by your dealer. It's probably a BS error as you suspect, but if it were my car I'd rather know for sure. Good luck.
  3. V8JamesGT Member

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    My 05 GT has been having the same problem only the engine hasnt shut off completely. I took it to the dealership and they couldnt figure out what was wrong with it :mad:
  4. Mike97gt it doe snot

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    the biggest drawback of the s197 gt is the processor. this thing does not tolerate mods at all. it's a much different setup than was used in the older mustangs, you pretty much need a reflash for each mod.
  5. FL2005GT New Member

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    Man, I hate to think that mods that slight would trip the Failsafe. I've been running the 93 octane tune for about 10K miles and this is the first time it's happened.

    The car also occassionally has idle problems, where it will drop down to 500 RPM or so over and over (in neutral) and blip itself to stop from stalling. After a couple of minutes, it just clears up. No apparent pattern. No error codes. I took it into the dealer, and they couldn't duplicate it or find any problems. They didn't say anything about the tune. I suspect it's some issue with the TBW system, but who knows.

    GAH. You think a custom tune might make a difference? How much does a typical dyno tuning session run?

    I wonder if LS-2's are this finicky. :shrug:
  6. red05bullitgt New Member

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    I don't know if any of you would agree with this or not, but if there were some way of replacing the spanish oak processor, with an older one from 03-04 ?? I'd do it in a heartbeat..That is, if it could be done and would have to be inexpensive, which we all know is impossible..But it was just a wishful thought anyhow..:shrug:
  7. FL2005GT New Member

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    I would love to have a damned throttle cable replacing the whole TBW crap.

    But then again, I'd also like to transplant an '03 Cobra motor in. Sigh, I can keep dreaming. :rolleyes:
  8. Mike97gt it doe snot

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    as far as I know you cannot swap to a older style eec easily.. the only way it can be done is to replace the harness along with it plus some of the sensors are different.

    But it sure would be nice to have a 05+ with a normal throttle body and a much less sensitive EEC
  9. V8JamesGT Member

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    Yeah, I would agree... This TBW computer system is the only thing I really dislike about the s-197s
  10. bigcat start with the upper hole, and if more traction is

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    i dont think it is so much the DBW, as much as the lag programmed into it. with a new tune, throttle lag virtually disappears.
  11. official_style New Member

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    thats a problem with your tune dood. get dyno tuned by a good shop and it will drive like it has a throttle cable.
  12. V8JamesGT Member

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    If the problem is a bad sensor or something similar.... I dont think a tune will fix it.
  13. red05bullitgt New Member

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    Personally, I have nothing against re-flash tuners and btw, I'm very pleased with my X-Cal II SF..But what I also don't like about the new DBW processor is it's just the thought that your forced into having to purchase a programmer, just in order to add simple bolt-on's such as a CAI but yet at the same time, Ford doesn't want their customers re-flashing any of their processors, so your damned if you do and damned if you don't..As much as I really like my 05 GT. there are times that I do regret trading in my 93 SVT Cobra.. At least back in the day, Ford allowed their customers to make their own choices instead of the other way around and for the best bang for the buck performance wise, the fox Mustangs were simply the best..:shrug:

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