1997 cobra

97_4.v

New Member
Jun 24, 2019
13
0
1
Indiana, US
1997 cobra owner here, and I’ve got a bit of a stumping problem with my car. A little while ago the car started having problems with randomly losing power, and shutting off. More recently the car will not even start and I have absolutely no idea what the problem is. The car sputters a few times when you try to turn it over, then all that’s turning is the starter. It’s been like this for a little while now and I’m absolutely stumped as to what could be causing my issue, I’ve recently replaced spark plugs, wires, and coils, (when it was running about 4 months ago) and from there on out I’ve replaced the fuel filter, cam position sensor, crank position sensor, fuel filter, PCv valve, battery, battery terminals, MAF sensor, and a whole lot more. I’ve checked the IAC, it seems to be working properly. The car as it sits right now in non-running condition still has 38psi fuel pressure at the valve on the fuel rail, and assuming it has air because there isn’t anything blocking it or any changes there. If anyone can help I would appreciate it I’d really like to be driving my car I bought.
 
  • Sponsors (?)


Check fuel pump power, charcoal canister (connections to it and make sure vent is working), inertia switch. All vac lines as well.
I’ve checked fuel pressure, it’s at about 38 psi, the connector that connects the harness to the pump has 4 pins in it, and 1 pin is running 12 volts, the one next to it is running 5 volts, and the opposite two are both somewhere around .13 volts so I’m assuming those are grounds maybe so from what I can see the pump is working and has power, I’ve also reset the inertia switch. However I have not checked the vacuum lines, I’ll check and will post an update ASAP, thanks.
 
have you checked the ignition switch?

while your cranking verify the check engine light goes off if it does you need to verify the injectors are pulsing and your plugs are firing.

otherwise it sounds like you have a bad pcm which is very rare
 
1997 cobra owner here, and I’ve got a bit of a stumping problem with my car. A little while ago the car started having problems with randomly losing power, and shutting off. More recently the car will not even start and I have absolutely no idea what the problem is. The car sputters a few times when you try to turn it over, then all that’s turning is the starter. It’s been like this for a little while now and I’m absolutely stumped as to what could be causing my issue, I’ve recently replaced spark plugs, wires, and coils, (when it was running about 4 months ago) and from there on out I’ve replaced the fuel filter, cam position sensor, crank position sensor, fuel filter, PCv valve, battery, battery terminals, MAF sensor, and a whole lot more. I’ve checked the IAC, it seems to be working properly. The car as it sits right now in non-running condition still has 38psi fuel pressure at the valve on the fuel rail, and assuming it has air because there isn’t anything blocking it or any changes there. If anyone can help I would appreciate it I’d really like to be driving my car I bought.
I’m your opinion what would be the easiest way about testing the charcoal canister venting system?
Update: just pulled the plugs on the car and it seems to be flooded with gas, so I think now I’m troubleshooting for a clogged/stuck open injector
 
have you checked the ignition switch?

while your cranking verify the check engine light goes off if it does you need to verify the injectors are pulsing and your plugs are firing.

otherwise it sounds like you have a bad pcm which is very rare
Just recently checked the plugs, pulled them all out, all were covered in gas and damp, brushed them all clean, and put them back in and The thing turned over and fired right up.
 
Another update: After cleaning the plugs and putting them back in it fired up? But then ultimately went back to do the same thing it was doing, randomly in traffic started bucking and surging and then shut off and I had to wait for gas in the cylinders to evaporate, and now all the plugs are fouled again, anyone know what could randomly cause you to loose spark or for some reason make the engine run so rich that it stops running?
 
have you checked the ignition switch?

while your cranking verify the check engine light goes off if it does you need to verify the injectors are pulsing and your plugs are firing.

otherwise it sounds like you have a bad pcm which is very rare
Yes as it cranks the check engine light goes off, but recently we’ve confirmed that it’s related to spark somehow, it just randomly stops firing and then after I pull the plugs after it does this, they’re all wet and flooded with gas, so something is either preventing spark or losing spark or adding an ungodly amount of fuel