[slapnut1976]

I have a 2005 GT w/ manual transmission. It has almost 17k miles on it and I've noticed that it seems to have lost some power over the past few months and then yesterday when I left work I got the error "Failsafe Engine Mode" which apparently limits the amount of fuel the car gets. I get it home and shut the car off and turn it back on and it's back to normal. I took it to the dealership today and they couldn't find anything wrong with it but it seems to have lost more power after the error. Any ideas?

[stlwagon]

Do you use an oiled air filter (K&N)? May want to check the MAF to see if it's dirty.

[slapnut1976]

Everything is completely stock. I also have the hesitations after driving w/ cruise on also. I'm gonna contact a local dealer and try to get that taken care of.

[ski]

See if this restores some power:
- Turn the key to the 'On' position so that the dashboard warning lights turn on(do not start the engine), and then wait for the chime to stop.

- Press you accelerator pedal all the way down while counting 1-2-3(Don't stomp it, but don't baby it).

- Let up on the pedal as soon as it touches bottom.

- Turn the key to the 'Off' position ignition, wait 5 seconds, start the engine, and drive.



There's a TSB(technical service bulletin) for the hesitation problem after the car has been running at highway speeds with the cruise control on. It's caused by a defective fuel pump. Dealer will replace it under warranty.

[stlwagon]

Originally Posted by ski

There's a TSB(technical service bulletin) for the hesitation problem after the car has been running at highway speeds with the cruise control on. It's caused by a defective fuel pump. Dealer will replace it under warranty.

Apparently air bubbles can form near the fuel pump on long trips and can cause hesitation as they are ingested into the fuel system.

[slapnut1976]

Originally Posted by ski

See if this restores some power:
- Turn the key to the 'On' position so that the dashboard warning lights turn on(do not start the engine), and then wait for the chime to stop.

- Press you accelerator pedal all the way down while counting 1-2-3(Don't stomp it, but don't baby it).

- Let up on the pedal as soon as it touches bottom.

- Turn the key to the 'Off' position ignition, wait 5 seconds, start the engine, and drive.



There's a TSB(technical service bulletin) for the hesitation problem after the car has been running at highway speeds with the cruise control on. It's caused by a defective fuel pump. Dealer will replace it under warranty.

I tried this early this morning and I didn't really notice any improvement and when I got home I disconnected the battery for 5 minutes to reset the computer and it seems that might have helped some but I didn't drive it very long after that.

I read that TSB for the fuel pump before I posted this and I was excited to see that, I've almost got whiplash a few times thanks to that.

Thanks for the help guys.

[slapnut1976]

I'm still having power loss, I really don't know how to describe it. There's just not as much punch there when I give it gas and sometimes when I'm in 2nd or 3rd gear and punch it, it feels like there's a hesitation or bogging down before it takes off. Anyone have any ideas?

Also does anyone know of some place that does tunes or mods in the Memphis, TN area?

[saulsse]

I have experienced the same thing with my 05 GT, where there would be a brief point of dead silence on take-off as if the engine died.

I would not get any warning lights, buzzers or any other indication of a problem. Over a period of ownership, I have noticed carbon deposits on the tail pipes that led me to believe that the engine was not performing properly.

Because of a recent reemergence of an old problem, (The snap, crack and bang) front end; I decided to have another dealership look into it since the former dealership I had been dealing with had become indifferent.

While discussing the popping problem, I brought up the hesitation issue with the service writer.
He stepped to the rear, running a finger into each of the exhaust pipes.

"Needs the updated engine and tranny program..." and wrote it on the service ticket, and included additional items that he brought up.

Basicly the computer is not controlling the engine correctly. The popping problem discussed in earlier threads elsewhere proved to be a side benefit to get other things fixed.

I will know more in a couple of days. It is still at the dealership with the frontend dismantled. At least I got a rental car (not a Mustang) but a econo-box Focus while it is in the shop.

[saulsse]

Just an update... The computer flash at least for me worked and the whole car had to be re-torqued. Nice and tight now.

Some have reported carbon buildup problems. I had soot buildup on the tail pipes which the service writer noted and said the flash update would take care of it.

That worked and the car did rather well getting 25.6 MPG on 87.