Need Some Help

[Birdman95]

I have a 95 TBird with the 3.8 in it, here's the deal when in drive at idle it sputters or runs rough but doesn't die out. I get a check engine light but its off and on. I've had it run on a computer several times no hard codes come up. I have replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air temp sensor, coolant temp sensor the MAF sensor is new. So if anyone could give me some info that might be helpful i would appreciate it i definately need to get this figured out so i can stop spending money on parts and wasting money on gas because it gets horrible mileage. Thanks

[emailer33]

could be a whole lotta things. problem i had on my tbird was vacuum hoses, check those out

[intrcptrbird]

also check your O2 sensors they could be acting up

[Birdman95]

I'm pretty sure it's not a vaccum leak, I sprayed around the intake with carb cleaner and it didn't rev so there isn't an open hose, but i will definately check that out. I'll also check the o2 sensors. Thanks for the suggestions i'll post the results.

[JR Tigerstar]

Originally Posted by Birdman95

I have a 95 TBird with the 3.8 in it, here's the deal when in drive at idle it sputters or runs rough but doesn't die out. I get a check engine light but its off and on. I've had it run on a computer several times no hard codes come up. I have replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air temp sensor, coolant temp sensor the MAF sensor is new. So if anyone could give me some info that might be helpful i would appreciate it i definately need to get this figured out so i can stop spending money on parts and wasting money on gas because it gets horrible mileage. Thanks

Could be the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS).

How many miles does the car have on it?
How does the engine oil look? Fresh? Black? Milky?
Were the spark plugs gapped correctly?
What type (brand) of MAF sensor is on there now?
Was the computer reset after the MAF sensor replacement?
How about the transmission. How many miles since the last fluid & filter change?

[thunderbird muscle]

How does the exhaust smell on it?

Rich?sweet?

[Birdman95]

Originally Posted by JR Tigerstar

Could be the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS).

How many miles does the car have on it?
How does the engine oil look? Fresh? Black? Milky?
Were the spark plugs gapped correctly?
What type (brand) of MAF sensor is on there now?
Was the computer reset after the MAF sensor replacement?
How about the transmission. How many miles since the last fluid & filter change?

The car has 183,000 on it how many are actually on the motor thats in it is hard to tell but i'm guessing somewhere around 100,000 or so. The oil was pretty black when i changed it a couple of days ago. The spark plugs where gapped correctly i did those myself. The MAF sensor brand i believe is Standard. The Transmission filter i'm not sure i know i havn't changed it and i've put about 20,000 miles on the car since i bought it but as far as the maintenance before that who knows. So any input you could give me would be appreciated, thanks.

[JR Tigerstar]

Originally Posted by Birdman95

The car has 183,000 on it how many are actually on the motor thats in it is hard to tell but i'm guessing somewhere around 100,000 or so. The oil was pretty black when i changed it a couple of days ago. The spark plugs where gapped correctly i did those myself. The MAF sensor brand i believe is Standard. The Transmission filter i'm not sure i know i havn't changed it and i've put about 20,000 miles on the car since i bought it but as far as the maintenance before that who knows. So any input you could give me would be appreciated, thanks.

Try resetting the computer.

1. Pull fuse #15 in the underhood high-current fusebox
2. Attempt to start your car. It will not start if you have removed the correct fuse. Turn the engine over a few times to ensure you have reset the computer.
3. Replace fuse #15 in the fusebox
4. Attempt to start the car. This time, the car should start. Let it idle for about 5-10 minutes, and take it for a drive.

[Birdman95]

Originally Posted by JR Tigerstar

Try resetting the computer.

1. Pull fuse #15 in the underhood high-current fusebox
2. Attempt to start your car. It will not start if you have removed the correct fuse. Turn the engine over a few times to ensure you have reset the computer.
3. Replace fuse #15 in the fusebox
4. Attempt to start the car. This time, the car should start. Let it idle for about 5-10 minutes, and take it for a drive.

I pulled the fuse turned it over a few times then plugged it back in and started it after letting it idle for a bit i took it for a drive and it still does it. Any other possible suggestions. Thanks

[Birdman95]

Originally Posted by thunderbird muscle

How does the exhaust smell on it?

Rich?sweet?

It smells a little rich to me but not bad you have to actually get down near the exhaust to smell it, it's not like you can smell it standing 5 feet away.

[JR Tigerstar]

The Ford 3.8L V-6 is known to blow the head gaskets.
You do not seem to have that problem ... at this time.
I say that because you state that the oil was "pretty black" and the exhaust "smells a little rich ... it's not like you can smell it standing 5 feet away".
A few symptoms of blown cylinder head gaskets are water in the oil and/or coolant comimg out of the exhaust, in the form of white smoke with a coolant odor. Again, you do not seem to have these symptoms.

You also state that you "had it run on a computer several times no hard codes come up". I think that would rule out things like the oxygen sensors, throttle position sensor, EGR system, ect.

Could you have crossed up the spark plug wires?
Maybe the transmission just needs a filter/fluid change.
Maybe that new MAF is the problem.

[Donald91tbird]

how does that work exactly? to check if you have a vacuum leak... Spray around the air intake? please correct me..thanks in advance

[Birdman95]

Originally Posted by Donald91tbird

how does that work exactly? to check if you have a vacuum leak... Spray around the air intake? please correct me..thanks in advance

If you spray carb cleaner around the intake manifold while it is hot it will rev up if you have a vaccum leak, don't ask me why but it does, I've had this suggested to me by quite a few good mechanics.

[Birdman95]

Originally Posted by JR Tigerstar

The Ford 3.8L V-6 is known to blow the head gaskets.
You do not seem to have that problem ... at this time.
I say that because you state that the oil was "pretty black" and the exhaust "smells a little rich ... it's not like you can smell it standing 5 feet away".
A few symptoms of blown cylinder head gaskets are water in the oil and/or coolant comimg out of the exhaust, in the form of white smoke with a coolant odor. Again, you do not seem to have these symptoms.

You also state that you "had it run on a computer several times no hard codes come up". I think that would rule out things like the oxygen sensors, throttle position sensor, EGR system, ect.

Could you have crossed up the spark plug wires?
Maybe the transmission just needs a filter/fluid change.
Maybe that new MAF is the problem.

One of the head Gaskets was blown when i got it but i replaced it and had the heads resurfaced so i shouldn't have to worry about that. There is no way I crossed a wire because it ran perfect up until like two months ago, so when it started doing this i changed the plugs but I only took off one plug wire at a time. I don't think it could be the MAF because again it was fine for months after i put it in so unless it was a defect or something i don't see how it could be it. Would the fluid and trans filter needing to be changed cause the car to sputter at an idle because if that is the case i would definately check that out first being it is the cheapest fix. Though i think i am still going to change the O2 sensors eventually. So anymore feedback you might have would be great, I definately appreciate you helping me try to figure this thing out. Thanks

[JR Tigerstar]

Originally Posted by Birdman95

Would the fluid and trans filter needing to be changed cause the car to sputter at an idle because if that is the case i would definately check that out first being it is the cheapest fix. Though i think i am still going to change the O2 sensors eventually. So anymore feedback you might have would be great, I definately appreciate you helping me try to figure this thing out. Thanks

Yes, if the transmission filter is real dirty it could run bad/strange.
Dirty fuel filters can also be a cause. You should have two fuel filters. One in-line, that is the one that is normally repalced, and one in the gas tank.
Replacing the O2 sensors and the catalytic converter would be wise and probably result in better gas mileage.
The problems you are having are common with a car that is now 10 years old with 183,000 on it.