Perfomance problem SOLVED!!!

[Duke of SHO]

Well, for the past several months my wife complained of hard starts and poor performance. There was a major bog from 3200 - 4500 RPMs. I check for KOEO and KOER codes. Nothing. Then I check memory codes..still nothing. I check fuel pressure and the fuel pressure regulator. It was about 32lbs. Nothing to be concerned about but I still replaced the filter and pump. Both had never been changed. After fighting with the gas tank strap bolts and J nuts the car was even worse. I check the fuel pressure again. Now it was between 35-40lbs. I threw the scanner on it and captured problem. Nothing shot out at me. When all else failed I checked the perimeters of both O2s, TPS, MAP, and MAF sensors. They all were with in specs.
After beating my head about the problem, I bought some Doritos and a can of pop and just looked at it for a while. No codes, all sensors good, and good fuel pressure...it's got to something with the air flow. It was a long shot but I removed the IAC and cleaned it. Still nothing. I disconnected the MAF and went for a spin. She shot like a bat out of ****! There's my problem!!
I'm the type who like to repair things other then just buying it. So, I took the MAF apart. There's taper proof screws that hold the module to the housing. I took those off and pulled the module out. There's two wire looking things that are the sensors. There was so much shit on there you couldn't even see the sensors. Using some 3M throttle body cleaner and an acid brush (a small paint brush would also do) and cleaned the sensor. Threw it all back together. She never ran so good!!! Not only that I saved some money.
The process is rather simple. If anyone has any questions just E-mail me.

Matt

 

[projectSHO89]

Diry MAF sensor wires is a pretty common problem for Fords, especially those running an oiled air filter.

Congrats on finding the problem!

Brake parts spray sleaner also makes a great cleaner for those wires.

Steve

 

[SHOZ123]

Way to go Matt, them Doritos will do it every time.

I found out tonight how much a bad bearing in an alternator hurts performace.

You going to Elk Grove on the 16th?

 

[RI-SHO]

What type of tool/screwdriver can I buy to remove the tamper proof screws?

Sounds like something to clean while my SHO is just sitting there tensionerless .

 

[Duke of SHO]

Just think if a dealer would have looked at it. Labor+ Cost= NO money!
It has a stock type air filter. So theres no oil. I just wonder where the dirt came from.

The bit can be bought at your nearesr Sears.

 

[93MTXSHO]

Hey guys, I have a question. Has anyone else ever driven one of the newer DIS Fords? Everytime you mash the gas, the damned things will hesitate around 35-3800 RPMs and then will pull strong all the way to the next shift point. I've even noticed it in my mom's 98 Mustang GT, 5-speed of course, but I've never ever noticed it on the SHO. Any ideas? My only thought is that maybe the ignition advance isn't as tolerable on the 4.6/5.4/6.8 modular family, and also that the SHO has such a weak bottom end that you really don't notice the performance until you're already past that quell. Just wanted to see what you guys think. Thanks.

 

[91 Plus]

Blue on this form had that same problem when he got his car!His was much worse though. His car was so slow it was not even funny.It ran so horrible the way it acted we thought it was the trans for about 6 months.I finally unpluged it one day and then took it for a spin and was 10 times better!!

 

[RTStabler51]

**** i didn't even know you were still alive, let alone had a sho still

 

[Duke of SHO]

I'M STILL ALIVE!!! Just busy with the shop.

www.autodesigncustoms.com

 

[shojuan]

93MTXSHO:
Hey guys, I have a question. Has anyone else ever driven one of the newer DIS Fords? Everytime you mash the gas, the damned things will hesitate around 35-3800 RPMs and then will pull strong all the way to the next shift point. I've even noticed it in my mom's 98 Mustang GT, 5-speed of course, but I've never ever noticed it on the SHO. Any ideas? My only thought is that maybe the ignition advance isn't as tolerable on the 4.6/5.4/6.8 modular family, and also that the SHO has such a weak bottom end that you really don't notice the performance until you're already past that quell. Just wanted to see what you guys think. Thanks.

Lance Cheney was explaining to us at Saturday's dyno day that he's found the cause of this to be deliberate programming in the CPU by Ford. He does his own LPM programming for his SHO and Contour. I came into the conversation a bit late, but from what I gathered Ford's been doing this, probably to improve their CAFE numbers.

Rick

 

[rendyx]

Interesting - I tried disconnecting the MAF today, and it seeemed a bit quicker. Not too much, but maybe my sensor could be a little dirty. I'll have to look into cleaning it sometime!

 

[SHOZ123]

My '97 doesn't hesitate at 3800, it's just starting to pour on the coals then. thumbs_u