[Flame]

Whats up everybody, another newbie here. I have a 1996 Cobra that was skipping under a load, then all of a sudden it just started running like crap. It runs real ruff, shakes the whole car when it idles.I think a plug,wire,or coil pack has gone bad. Is there a way to test a coil pack to see if it is my problem. I had to have surgery on my neck few months back so I have been out of work for a couple months now, cash is kinda tight. All the people I have talked to wants a $100 just to tell me whats wrong. The check engine light aint on. If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[flash-1295]

Here is something you can try that doesn't cost anything. Pull one plug wire at a time and see if anything changes. If you pull one and it gets worse that one is not the problem. If you pull one and the engine does not run worse, than most likely that one is the problem. (plug or wire or coil pack). It could also be a fuel or air problem. Wouldn't hurt to disconnect the battery cable for 20 minutes to reset the computer and see if anything changes.
Good luck

[speedytang]

You will get a check engine light if you have a ignition miss and when checking codes it will tell you which cylinder.

[Flame]

I will go and try pulling the wires today. I thought about that also but wasnt sure if it would do further damage to something else. I havent gotten a check engine light yet. I assume it works cause it does light up when you first start the car. It has no cats, the entire exhaust system has been changed. I bought the car pretty much as is, so im not sure as to what brand of stuff is on the car. I know the cold air is K&N, mufflers are Flowmaster 40, King Cobra clutch, it also has pullys, 3:73 gears, MSD 8mm wires. There is other stuff I just cant remember what all he said. I bought it from a couple in their mid-50s who had no kids. They bought it from a guy in his 40s, who was the original owner. It had 23,000m when they bought it. It was mainly his wifes car and was only drove on the weekends. I guess thats cause of the 12 miles per gallon. It ran great till this came up. Anyhow, thanks for the help I will let yall know how it turns out.

[Batu]

Hey speedytang i got my check engine light on too what do you think does my stang got a ignition miss also it is 96 Cobra.
Or can it be something else other than ignition?

[markwondi]

Originally Posted by speedytang

You will get a check engine light if you have a ignition miss and when checking codes it will tell you which cylinder.

not always buddy. I've had many misfires that have no triggered a CEL.

[markwondi]

Originally Posted by Batu

Hey speedytang i got my check engine light on too what do you think does my stang got a ignition miss also it is 96 Cobra.
Or can it be something else other than ignition?

No, it could be many things. Have the code scanned, and then post up the results.

[speedytang]

Check the codes like I said then you will see which cylinder skipped and check your plug on that cylinder and replace before hunting for even a bad ground. Coil Pack engines are known for this because how they fire 2+ plugs at a time. If the miss is repeated within a firing rotation you will get a CEL.

[Super96Snake]

i have a 1996 mustang cobra also, on my car i have the CEL on. the code indicates bad o2 sensors. the car starts missing when i gets hot, and only at idle when hot. do you think this could be a sensor issue? i know these cars have a tenency to run hot, i thought maybe it wasnt adjusting fuel mixture when it gets hot and the fuel is evaporating as soon as it hits the cylinder. any help would be greatly appreciated, and im thinking of putting a cooler thermostat in it, whats the stock thermostats temperature?

thank you