MM stalled at WOT and gauges went crazy?!

[phethean]

Here's the skinny..I was driving on the freeway and mashed the throttle down to merge on the transition. I was doing about 65MPH. The engine started to rev up and at the point where it should have geared down, I lost power. My traction control and check engine light were flashing, and my speedo and tach needles were jumping all over. I pulled over and the gauges and lights were still going crazy. I shut her down and fired her back up. Everything was fine?! The check engine light even went off. I got back on the freeway at WOT and it appeared okay. I proceeded to drive home (about 15 miles) without incident. Anyone have an idea what the issue may have been? :help:

I am the second owner and my car has 76k miles. It is a 2003 and from what I gather is a 300A. The only mod is the K&N with a dry filter. I have read about problems downshifting at WOT in O/D, but I have never seen (or read) about anything like this. The only other problem I have seen with my car is a surging or searching feeling I get from the trans when accelerating at part throttle. I don't know if this is related. This is my DD and I don't want to break down (that is the main reason the '68 Bug is parked). Anything would help. I ordered some Motorcraft Iridium plugs and have the Granatelli Pro Series kit waiting in my trunk. I don't want to just start randomly replacing parts though. Thanks.

[Local Boy]

That's a typical traction control issue...No worries, Brutha...

What size tires you running?

BTW: New plugs are always a good idea if your plugs are worn...I would hold off on the Granatelli coil packs...They are said to be terrible with our cars...The connectors have mixed reviews...

Good Luck...

ALOHA

[OneBADLsE]

If i had to guess, an electrical surge of the alternator.

[phethean]

That's a typical traction control issue
Can I expect this when it kicks in at high speed? It doesn't do this at low speed.


Granatelli coil packs...They are said to be terrible with our cars
Why are these "terrible"? Per Granatelli's video it did wonders on the dyno when installed on their Cobra.
http://www.gmsvideos.com/video_detail.php?mId=1523

Also, the surging/searching issue with the trans..would a shift kit or J-mod help? Will that also help with the poor off line performance? Your opinion or experience would be appreciated. I am seeing mixed posts.

[offroadkarter]

Can I expect this when it kicks in at high speed? It doesn't do this at low speed.




You dont have traction control, its an electrical problem. The problem, i dont know.

[ctrlraven]

Do you have a tune? If you have a tune I believe all the tuners engage the alternator clutch to so the pulley will free spin. At that point in time the vehicle is solely running off the battery until the computer reads WOT is no more.

Sound like an electrical surge fluke, if it happens again then I would def. take the vehicle in to be checked out.

[Zack]

Check the wiring harness for chafing/rubbing under the wiper cowl assembly.

[03blackvegas]

I've had this happen on several occasions, in my case it seems to not happen if I have more than a quarter tank of gas. I also own a 2004 CVPI, it has happened a couple of times with this car as well, same thing, I was low on gas.

[phethean]

It looks like electrical. My headlights went on and off quickly while flying down the freeway on my way to work this morning. I am in downtown LA today and would hate to break down. I guess I will garage her until I can find time to check it out.



Check the wiring harness for chafing/rubbing under the wiper cowl assembly.


Is this the most common place for issues? I know my harness rubbed a nice hole in my K&N filter. I tied that back and replaced the filter. I will let you know what I find. My ammeter looks fine so I do not think it's a alternator issue. Thanks guys.

[Local Boy]

My bad...

Others are right...IF YOU HAVE a '03 A...You do not have traction control...

Do you have a button on the left of your steering wheel for traction control...I've heard there are freak A's that have them...If not, I would agree with the group ...electrical...Look for chaffing behind the cylinder heads...

or weak Battery...

A tune will fix the "hunting" issue with the trans...

I have not heard of anyone who has had positive experiences with the Granatelli coil packs...

Perhaps other will chuime in...try searching you will see...

Good Luck...

ALOHA

[phethean]

I does have the traction control on/off switch and I can't burnout unless I turn it off (don't ask how I know ;)). I am guessing it is a 300A because of the windshield tint strip at the top and the fuel filler door remote.

I just cleaned my cables and put a new Diehard Platinum under the hood a month ago. I will check wiring behind the heads. I hope it is nothing serious. I know my last oil change gave me a scare when I sent it to Blackstone. The high aluminum content led me to find the hole in my air filter.

I will try the coil packs and let you know how I fare. I figure since I already have them...

[Local Boy]

What size tires are you running???

ALOHA

BTW: I would recommend waiting on installing anything else, until you fixed this problem first...If you do install other parts...you won't know what is causing what..

[phethean]

Everything is bone stock. I am just anxious to check it out. 10 more hours before I get off work and head home. I really want to see what is going on under the hood.



A tune will fix the "hunting" issue with the trans...


Is a tune the only fix or can I fix it on the cheap with a shift kit or J-mod? Also, if I invest in a tuner, can this be used on more than one car? I know my PSD would like a tune.

[Local Boy]

I don't mean to question your point of view...But I must ask...are your tires the same size front and back? Take a look at the sidewalls, and take note of the height...Sometimes the owner before you changed them and may have forgoten to tell you...We must make sure what sizes you are running.,..

Yes, a tune will fix your trans issue...But, NO it can only work on one car at a time...You must re-store the stock tune to un lock the tuner, and use it on another MM with the same ECM code...The tuner is vin. locked, once in service...

J-mod is great, IF your car is shifting correctly....It would be terrible to have the J-mod with the stock trans shift schedule...

ALOHA

[phethean]

LOL. I see your point. Yes the front and rear are the correct size. Are you thinking it might be something other than electrical? Is what I described generally what others have experienced with electrical problems(T/C and Check Engine flashing, and gauge needles going crazy)?



J-mod is great, IF your car is shifting correctly....It would be terrible to have the J-mod with the stock trans shift schedule...


Is the hunting on upshift considered "correct"? I really have no other Ford or Merc to compare it to. Is the stock shift program the problem and the only way to improve is through a modified tune? I don't want to drop a couple hundred bucks on a tuner if I don't need to. I want to improve shifting and make necessary improvements over factory to increase service life. This is my daily driver and I do not plan on racing.

[red]

Is what I described generally what others have experienced with electrical problems(T/C and Check Engine flashing, and gauge needles going crazy)?
Tires will not cause this behavior. See what I just posted here (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=48693) (<-- click the link).

[Local Boy]

Thanks Red...

Apparently, it's all pointing toward electrical...

Unfortunately, there is NO way to get out from under the terrible stock shift schedule without adjusting the tune...

Many, who do not race including myself, have purchased a tune just to fix this (trans) issue...The extra hp is a bonus!

Good Luck...

ALOHA

[red]

Many, who do not race including myself,...
:eek: You have all that power and you don't race!?

[Local Boy]

Nope...

There are NO tracks on the island...

The only one we HAD, closed down in 2006...

Totally BUMMED!!!

ALOHA

[red]

Nope...

There are NO tracks on the island...

The only one we HAD, closed down in 2006...

Totally BUMMED!!!
That's terrible!! :bigcry:

[justbob]

Will this help you?
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=47616&highlight=PCM+relay

[phethean]

Looks like I have my work cut out for me. My A/C just stopped blowing too. I had replaced my climate control a few months ago and don't think it is the problem. I can hear the ducts opening and closing when I cycle through the settings, just no blower. I am definitely going to have to park her and drive my bug until I can isolate it. It seems to be affecting more areas.

[lucenti]

could have happened during a techtonic plate shift.. have any tremmors there lately

[phethean]

LOL. No earthquakes lately. Checked wiring behind driver-side head and under wiper motor. Everything looks in order. It has not happened again. A fluke maybe? I still need to troubleshoot my A/C blower not working. I don't know if it is related.

I did go ahead and swap my coils and plugs for the Granatelli Pro Series and the Motorcraft SP433. I have seen a nice improvement in acceleration. What was the problem I am supposed to see with these coils again? I got a good deal on the full set and had to give them a try. So far so good.