Ok guys.. I have 2 problems going on with the Cobra. Help please, thanks!

94Cobrachick · Jul 6, 2011

Need to figure out why my Cobra didn't want to start today... I had already been driving it and I stopped at the gas station. Got in and it would barely crank. The lights dimmed and the battery gauge dropped very low. :/ I was told the battery was new when I bought the car and the Alt was charging (I had it checked) . So what else?
Problem 2... A constant fast chirping noise. Its not the throw out bearing. I can push the clutch in or let it out and its still the same chirp, it never stops. Driving or stopping still the same. Sometimes it will just stop while running but usually starts back up chirping away.

Here are the things I replaced on the car since I got it a few weeks ago.
New Ford Racing spark plug wires
New Cap and rotor
New thermostat
and New radiator cap...

toyman · Jul 7, 2011

I think you should pull the stored codes from the PCM. The DTC connector is in the engine bay between the passenger side strut tower and the firewall. The source of your problem could be one of a dozen or more items.

The chirping is most likely mechanical in nature. With the hood open can you identify a general area for the sound? Thinking a worn belt or an accessory pulley bearing.

94Cobrachick · Jul 7, 2011

Ok, I will pull the codes tomorrow and see. AutoZone has done that before with a previous Mustang I had.
The chirping could just be a belt... it does look a little worn. I will just replace it tomorrow and see if that works.
It has some type of after market underdrive pulleys on it but not sure of the brand. They are blue.

CC'S95GT · Jul 7, 2011

The chirping could be from any of the pulleys. pull the belt off then start the car but only for a few minutes (water pump).
The chirping could be coming from the dizzy too. There is a bushing for the dizzy shaft and when it gets worn and dry you can get a chirp. happened to me. I hear the bushing can be replaced if you have the time and the tools. or just get a remanned dizzy.

hard starting sounds like a battery prob to me. take it out and have it tested.

OnyxCobra · Jul 7, 2011

Slow crank and dimming lights definitely sounds like a battery or alt issue. or something isn't getting a good connection.

95-stang · Jul 7, 2011

Just check the fan belt isn't slipping and the belt tensioner is good, a lot of slippage in the belt [chirping noise] would lead to the battery going flat, under drive pulleys dont help with charging as it is.

extreme_21 · Jul 7, 2011

94Cobrachick said:
Need to figure out why my Cobra didn't want to start today... I had already been driving it and I stopped at the gas station. Got in and it would barely crank. The lights dimmed and the battery gauge dropped very low. :/ I was told the battery was new when I bought the car and the Alt was charging (I had it checked) . So what else?
Problem 2... A constant fast chirping noise. Its not the throw out bearing. I can push the clutch in or let it out and its still the same chirp, it never stops. Driving or stopping still the same. Sometimes it will just stop while running but usually starts back up chirping away.

Here are the things I replaced on the car since I got it a few weeks ago.
New Ford Racing spark plug wires
New Cap and rotor
New thermostat
and New radiator cap...

The non-starting issue does seem like it's a dead battery just like everyone else states. Weither the battery is new or not, it can fail at anytime. The alt kept the car running when it did start, but might of taken a beating depending on how long you drove like this. The alt is there to maintain the battery not charge it, when the battery runs low you should charge the battery with a charger. When the car is running, the vehicle runs off the battery and the alt maintains the current. I'd get your batt and alt tested, autozone does it on the spot, takes 2 mins. Once you install a new battery, for insurance I would due a current drain test. This way your 100% certain your fault was just a dead battery and not a drain that killed the battery.

As for the noise, sounds like the belt or a pulley. Spray some WD40 on the belt(not much, 2 second squirt), noise goes away and that relates belt. If I remeber right, the idler pulleys have no walls, so the belt wanders on the idler with does not line the belt up for the next pulley, the belt then rubs on the wall of the next pulley and squeaks. To solve this change the belt. I've accutally retro fitted a Aston ilder pulley to mine for the idler and my belt doesn't wear like it used to.

If the noise is still there after spraying the belt, spray the bearing for each pulley, still no luck take off the belt and see for a change...check this stuff and let us know

94Cobrachick · Jul 12, 2011

Ok. Sorry it took so long to reply back. I bought a new battery and it was still having charging issues so I bought a new alternator and it is doing better. It's still a little low at idle but I believe that is because of those aftermarket underdrive pulleys. Anyone know where I can just buy a stock set? Ford maybe? I don't want these race pulleys if it's going to cause problems. The car still gets pretty hot too during the day when I drive it. I think because the water pump is being slowed down by those pulleys.
Thanks for all your input!!

CC'S95GT · Jul 12, 2011

and the rest of the story. udp's.
that's very likely your problem. I'd ck your local j/y for a wrecked 5.0

ttocs · Jul 12, 2011

most of us that have put udp's on have eventually realized that they were not worth the trouble. I was happy that I kept my stock pullies and that I had them to put back on. The slow down the alt too much and can also lead to a pre-mature failure as it is no longer running/cooling itself as it was designed too as well as not putting out enough current at idle in most cases.