Major 2.3L Problems

**Ruff_Ryder** · 06-12-2010, 01:41 AM

Hey guys my Pony is down. This does not happen all of the time but its been doin it for 4 days now. my motor shakes really bad to where it shakes the whole car. I have no power wat so ever. But like i said it does not do this all the time. this is wat i have replaced so far.

Oxygen Sensor
Fuel Filter
Mass Air Flow Sensor
Thermo stat
Spark Plugs
Plug Wires
Rear Coil Pack
Air Filter
Took One Cat off
Punched The Other Cat Out

Come on guys help me out idk wat else it could be other than my EGR Valve

is worng

**Martin0660** · 06-12-2010, 02:08 AM

How about some info to help troubleshoot?

What year? What transmission?

Have you pulled codes?

Have you checked mechanical timing? All points line up?

How / when did it start? Sudden change or did it get worse?

Seems like a lot of parts to throw at something without basic troubleshooting ...

**Ruff_Ryder** · 06-12-2010, 02:40 AM

1993 ford mustang lx 2.3L w/ auto tranny

i pulled codes it said sumthing on the right side was not firing so i gave it a tune up and changed the right side ciol pack because its a 8 spark plug head.

the timing is perfect

it started about 4 days ago and it did it while i was driving and when pulled over the engine was shaking so bad it shock the car. i lost tons of power.

but then today it didnt do it after i changed the oxygen sensor i went down to the gas station left it idle and then went over to the pumps and then it started doin it agian. i messed with the egr valve and then it ran fine. i got off work at midnight and i left and drove about 3 min i had to turn around and it did it agian and i could not get above 35 mph and i lost tons of power and the engine was shaking agian. it does not should like it is missing or knoecking its just shaking real bad and i have no power and all.

it was a sudden change and it does not seem to be getting worse.

**Ruff_Ryder** · 06-12-2010, 08:51 AM

bump

**Martin0660** · 06-12-2010, 10:55 AM

Have you pulled codes after the repairs and get it clean?

Does the tach do anything different with this going on? The tach is a good indicator on the coil packs on those.

I asked on the tranny becasue of a possibilty ... do you think the lock up converter is locking up? Is it shifting normal? This is pushing it a bit, but there are odd things to happen with those where the tranny will lock up funny. The A4LD is an odd piece and the electronics are even odder. Being you can make it come and go randomly, there is some change the TB cable, electronics, etc are doing something with the tranny. That could account for what you report, running well, but shaking ... Not sure how to better troubleshoot this part ... does your speedometer work right? (VSS sensor)

**Ruff_Ryder** · 06-12-2010, 02:45 PM

the tach meter has not worked for 4 months now and thats when the problems have been starting. it started with getting bad gas mileage like 9 then i had the cats punched and it went back to 18.

the tranny drinks tranny fluid a quart every 2 weeks. by the lock up converter do you mean the torque converter? like when i left work last night at midnight it was shaking and had no power i had a little hill to go up and i barly did 15. and its still doing it this morning.

**Martin0660** · 06-13-2010, 12:05 AM

The tach can have two issues, both that could cause your issues. For sure the tach DOA is a symptom of an ignition issue (likely the DIS module, but not sure) The tach is tied to one of the coil packs but affected by the DIS module as well. One issue is that I've never heard of an aftermarket DIS module working well, and they are $$$'s. Not something to do parts swapping to troubleshoot.

Is the trans leaking fluid or what? If it's not leaking, find the vacuum line at the tree from the modulator and see if it has tranny fluid in it. If it does, the modulator is bad and can be an issue. That's the only likely source of loosing fluid if it's not leaking.

Yes, I meant lock up torque converter. They will sometimes lock-up errantly, and act like a stick car you dont push the clutch in with.

**SAC81** · 06-13-2010, 12:11 AM

It's the ICM (Ignition Control Module). They're notorious for failing on n/a 2.3L foxes. You have all the symptoms.

When you get a new one, have the brand new tested before you leave the store- lots of new ones are bad right from the factory. :(

**Ruff_Ryder** · 06-13-2010, 01:16 AM

well can the ICM cause my engine to shake?

The tranny is not leaking.

well wheni had the computer hooked up to the car it said sumthing on the right side was not firing so i gave it a tune up-that didnt work. i then put a new coil pack on for the right side-didnt work. i put on a new oxygen sensor-i could tell a difference but then 5 min later it starting shaking agian.

**cwh19** · 06-13-2010, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by Ruff_Ryder

well can the ICM cause my engine to shake?

The tranny is not leaking.

well wheni had the computer hooked up to the car it said sumthing on the right side was not firing so i gave it a tune up-that didnt work. i then put a new coil pack on for the right side-didnt work. i put on a new oxygen sensor-i could tell a difference but then 5 min later it starting shaking agian.

Did you use a factory ford O2 or an aftermarket? Most aftermarket 02's are crap.

**Ruff_Ryder** · 06-13-2010, 08:52 AM

its a ford one cost me $110

**SAC81** · 06-13-2010, 12:17 PM

When I said "you have all the symptoms" I meant it. Yes, a bad ICM will cause the engine to run poorly and cause vibration.

**jaa55** · 06-13-2010, 01:58 PM

I have an ICM

**Ruff_Ryder** · 06-13-2010, 10:46 PM

well today when i was doing a compression test the head gasket blew so 2 cylinders did not have compression.

so im going to get the motor rebuild with new everything