what could it be

[GT Rob]

Driving home from work today doing about 70mph at about 3000 rpms my car acted like it wanted to die it did two times but after that it ran fine but when I stop it acts like it wants to die again it dosent do it all the time. I have two question how can you tell when a fuel punp is going bad and how can you tell if my fuel fillter is bad I replaced the fuel fliter about a year ago. The car is a 95 5.0 with pullies cold air intake and full exhust with no cats and 373 gears

 

[toyman]

I would pull the trouble codes (and no you don't need to see a CEL), check the battery to engine and engine to chassis grounds (need to be absolutely good) and clean the MAF sensor element. A 1 year old filter shouldn't be an issue unless you consistently buy cheap fuel. If you suspect the fuel pump you will need to test the fuel pressure. Certain trouble codes if displayed will help to narrow down the search.

 

[the5.ohh]

I'd start by seeing if you get any codes to come up.

 

[GT Rob]

Auto parts store can pull the codes for me right

 

[joshwfl]

Nope, you're gonna have to do it the old fashioned way.

 

[GT Rob]

Old fashoin?

 

[CC'S95GT]

some auto parts stores can read OBD1 cars. Stores in my area can't or won't.
Get a Haynes/Chilton manual and learn how to pull codes with a paperclip. or buy a OBD1 reader for @ $25.
To me , it sounds like the dizzy is on it's way out. Which may or may not throw a code.
Def pull codes first.

 

[GT Rob]

Dizzy ? Sorry for the questions

 

[CC'S95GT]

distributor. It's a common issue wth the 5.0's

 

[toyman]

Dizzy ? Sorry for the questions

Distributor.

The DTC port is in the engine bay passenger side between the strut tower and firewall. The OBDII port under the dash is ONLY for the 3.8L V6 for the same year.

 

[Rallim]

Agreed on the distributor. Feels like it just loses power from everything on the highway, then almost like it's flooding itself at idle randomly. Really weird, but really simple to replace at least.

Does it do it only after driving for a while? Because to my understanding the control units in the distributor essentially isn't used on a cold map, so it shouldn't act up when the car is cold, only when its warm, which I noticed my car did when mine went out. Not sure if its true but it makes sense.

 

[CC'S95GT]

Agreed on the distributor. Feels like it just loses power from everything on the highway, then almost like it's flooding itself at idle randomly. Really weird, but really simple to replace at least.

Does it do it only after driving for a while? Because to my understanding the control units in the distributor essentially isn't used on a cold map, so it shouldn't act up when the car is cold, only when its warm, which I noticed my car did when mine went out. Not sure if its true but it makes sense.

It not that it's used on a "cold map". that's not it at all. It's just a break down of the hall effect sensor. Usually it starts after the engine has ran for a while or when the outside air temp is warmer and eventually just doesn't work at all anymore.

 

[GT Rob]

Could it be a bad battery or a bad ground from motor to chase I looked at it today and it looks old

 

[CC'S95GT]

possibly

 

[Corndiddly]

From what I have worked on, when the fuel pump starts running bad it will not start or when it gets warm the car will shut off.

 

[CC'S95GT]

Aside from the 5 second prime when you first turn the key. The signal to keep the f/p running comes from the dizzy. So a faulty dizzy can make you think the f/p is bad.
Not saying the prob isn't the f/p just that a more comon problem is the dizzy.
Every 5.0 has or will have problems with the dizzy.

 

[ProKiller]

if it doesn't appear to be an issue when its cold and gets worse when the engine warms up, then i'm also saying it's the PIP in the distributor.

 

[5litrarag]

PIP is the place to start. If you have never had a problem with it, its probably the OEM piece thats never been changed. Its just good maintenance, so go ahead and swap it and see if the problem goes away.

 

[grilla]

If it does it when it warms up it could be the cats