89 Pony dies while shifting

My friend has a 89 Ford Pony that dies when he shifts usually between 3rd and 4th. This problem just started happening. I havent looked at the car yet but I'm leaning towards low fluid.

He also is leaking out of his thermostat housing so I'm guessing he needs a gasket or its cracked.

Is there anything else that could cause this problem?

Thnx in advance for any replies.

I'm not sure if the '89 has a carburetor or fuel injection. I'm thinking if it has a carburetor the idle stop screw needs to be turned to increase the RPM's
Then adjust the mixture screws at the base of the carb. Turn the screw(s) in until it starts to run rough then screw them out 1 turn.

He says it is fuel injected I still haven't looked at it yet.

O and it happens at any speed while shifting he can be going 30 and shift and 50% of the time it just cuts off. He still has power, radio, lights etc but the engine stalls out.

Those early injector systems were a little strange by today's norms. If his model has the "manifold pressure sensor" ... it may need replacing.

manifold pressure sensor thanks i'll try and see if I can find anything on that. I may just go buy the book to his car and add it to my collection.

U can never have to many random car manuals.

... there was also a "barometric pressure sensor" on some models. Usually you can just unplug this one if it goes bad.

I never got a chance to look at it because he got called into work early so I wont be looking until my next off day which is monday. Is there anything else he said he did throw a code the last time it happened so I'll post the code when I get the chance.

Does anyone know if I can use the paper clip method on his car or will I need a code reader?

If I can use the paper clip method can anyone tell me which ones I need to jump?

Thnx for all the help
~Drew~

Finished it today. Changed some sensors everything was the same but the shop let us turn them back in. He had just gotten a tune-up so I didnt think to look there. The wires were brand new but after I decided to pull a spark plug just to see they were shot. The shop changed the wires but didnt change the plugs.

We changed the plugs took the car to the shop and he got a refund from the manager plus the new wires they put on. All in all it was a good save we just know not to go back to that shop ever again.

Wires without plugs. Who would have guessed it? Reminds me of the last time I got tires I was charged for new stems when I didn't get any. I don't blame you for not going to that shop again. At least they were honest about their mistake, but what choice did they have?