hey guys,
lately my 2000 GT has had trouble starting. It starts up for a few seconds, struggles, bogs down and dies...when i start it the second time and give alittle gas, its fine. However, when i left a shopping center this morning, the check engine light flashed for about 30 seconds, then went off. After I got some gas and started the drive home, it came on and stayed. I noticed that when im in 5th and try to accelerate, the shifter shakes alot and the car just doesnt accelerate the way it was as of yesterday and earlier today, mainly in 3rd-5th but overall too. This car has been driven very seldonly over the past year or so. I was only allowed to drive it after doing well for a few semesters at college, so while i dressed it up and put on an exhaust, it sat in my garage and was only driven when i took it for a spin around the court. I read some of the previous posts, i was thinking spark plugs, but i checked them with the engine running and they are all good. maybe, fuel injectors, but i really dont know. I think my dad has a computer so we're gonna hook it up and see what it reads.. any suggestions or anything standing out as to wut the problem could be. bad old gas? i really dont know, the engine seems to be running normally when u pop the hood, so i dont know

 

Sounds to me like old gas. Add some Sta-bil to your tank and see if that helps it out. Putting in a fresh tank probably couldnt hurt either.

 

If its had the same gas in the tank for several months with no fuel stabilizer in it...that could be your problem. It struggling in the upper gears moreso is probably because the engine is under a bit more load to accelerate thus exposing the poor running condition. Like you said, plug into it and pull the codes.

 

for future reference ... if ur check engine EVER FLASHES - cut your car off imediatly and do not start it... i it comes on ur ok - flashing is very very bad sign... (hope its just gas in ur case )

 

I would check the gas but a friend of mine sorta had the same thing and 2 of his coilover sparkplug wires was bad.

 

After sitting for a while i would go and get some fresh gas and fuel injection cleaner (or a half quart of ATF with a full tank) before going any further.
Also if ANYONE'S CHECK ENGINE FLASHES THIS INDICATES A MISFIRE AND IS DAMAGING. STOP THE ENGINE IMMEDIATLY AND HAVE YOUR CAR TOWED. if it just comes on and stays on it is ok to drive but never drive with it flashing.

 

Hey since you have a 2000 go to this link http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/dtcodes.htm and mess around with that.

 

my tranny was doing that and i hac to have the bearings replaced

 

u never said if your car straightened up after running the old gas out. if it hasn't check out this thread
https://mustangboards.com/modular-4-...-stalling.html
that was one that i had up for my car.