Stalling Fix for Cobras available

[jeffsavage]

This has been discussed quite a bit in all the larger SVT forums like svtperformance and modularfords. Anyways, here is the message from Ford:

SM 17542 2003 MUSTANG COBRA - LACK OF POWER ON DECELERATION
SOME 2003 MUSTANG COBRA VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DRIVABILITY CONCERNS INCLUDING LOSS OF POWER ON DECEL. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE CALIBRATION OF THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). TO SERVICE, REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATION AVAILABLE USING WDS RELEASE B29.3 OR HIGHER. CALIBRATION FILES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT www.motocraft.com


My question is this for Griffen Ford: Has your tech department done this fix yet for any Cobra owners in the area? I would like to bring my car in for this fix when it gets out of storage, as my '03 has stalled on me quite a few times.

[BlueOvalBolt]

Wow, I'm not up on Cobra problems but that doesn't sound good. Curt or Marv, have you dealt with this issue at all?

[jeffsavage]

Yeah, many cobra owners have reported issues with this. Basically you push in the clutch, the RPM's drop suddenly and dramatically, and boom there goes your engine dead, you are coasting with no power and the idiot lights on. Scary as hell! Happened to me about 6 times since I got my '03 last May. Do a search for stalling on www.svtperformance.com or www.modularfords.com. So, SVT has finally released a new flash program for Cobra computers. I definitely want to get it done as soon as I get my baby out of storage next month.

The new program is supposed to raise and smooth out the idle, and when clutch is pushed in or coasting with car not in gear the idle will ease down alot more gradually, from what I hear. The few people that have had the fix done have reported it to work well, from the threads I have read. I have reduced it stalling on me by adjusting my driving habits a bit and going down through the gears when stopping rather than push in the clutch and brake... but I have had many manual transmission cars and never had this issue before.

[Dave99GT]

Took my car in to Venus over the lunch hour today to have them reflash the computer for SSM 17542. Car idles at 750 rpm now, is much smoother idle than it was before.
I had mine stall twice last fall as I was coming to a stop at a light, very disconcerting to suddenly lose all power. My understanding of this reflash is that it will cause the car to more slowly reach idle speed, and the idle speed is now 750 rpm rather than 500 rpm. Both of these should help prevent the stall problem, no more sudden drop in rpms when coasting to a stop with the car in neutral or the clutch in. I changed my driving style to avoid either of these scenarios since last fall.
Some guys on svtperformance.com have also reported better gas mileage after the reflash. That sounds odd to me, but if it happens I would definitely welcome it!

[Dave99GT]

My first full tank of gas after having the reflash done I got 17 mpg. The best I had ever gotten before (in over 7000 miles) was 15 mpg!
This reflash has made my car run better, it idles higher and runs smoother, and I don't need to worry about stalling anymore. I would recommend that all 03 Cobra owners get this done.

[jerrymjr]

Mine has started doing this as well (NOT a 2003 Cobra).

It did not start for over a year since I left the Dyno-tuner's shop.
I was thinking of just getting a new IAC motor (since mines been abused....dont ask). Wonder if I need more now. Its very intermitant.