Fix It

The 1994 Mustang was a popular performance car with over 120,000 produced by Ford. The Mustang was a two-door, rear-wheel drive car with a solid rear axle. The ignition switch is located on the right hand side of the steering column. Replacement of the ignition switch may be required due to switch failure or loss of the keys. Basic hand tools are required to perform replacement of the ignition switch.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the mustang and remove the negative battery cable from the battery, using a wrench. Wait two minutes and use the wrench to remove the positive battery cable from the battery.

2

Remove the screws holding the drivers side knee bolster in place. Gently pull on the bolster to remove it from the Mustang.

3

Place the ignition switch in the "Run" position and leave the key in the switch.

4

Remove the plastic panel covering the bottom of the steering column with the Phillips screwdriver.

5

Lift the tab of the electrical connector on the ignition switch and separate the connector from the ignition switch.

6

Remove the two Torx bolts holding the ignition switch to the steering column and pull the ignition switch free of the steering column.

7

Place new switch next to the old unit and verify the actuator pin is in the same position. Insert the new switch into the steering column and attach with the two Torx screws. Tighten the Torx screws with the Torx screwdriver to secure it to the steering column

8

Snap the electrical connection into the new ignition switch.

9

Replace the lower steering column cover and tighten the retaining screws with the Phillips screwdriver. Position the knee bolster into the original position and secure with the Phillips screws.

10

Attach the positive battery cable to positive terminal on the battery and tighten with the wrench. Repeat for the negative battery cable.

Ford introduced the Mustang in 1964 and it has since remained one of the best-selling sports cars on the market. The Mustang entered its eighth generation in 1999 and remained basically the same until Ford rolled out the ninth generation in 2005. The 2000 Mustang came in convertible and coupe trims with either a 3.8-liter, V-6 engine or a 4.6-liter, V-8 engine. The bolt-torque specs for the intake manifold were the same for coupes and convertibles with the V-6 engine, regardless of the transmission.

Torque Basics

In general terms, torque is the amount of force applied to twist or turn an object. It is often given in foot-pounds, with the measurement equaling the pounds of force applied at the end of a lever of a given length. For instance, 100 foot-pounds equals 100 pounds of pressure applied to a foot-long wrench. Larry Carley, the Technical Editor for the website "Underhood Service," recommends that bolts should be cleaned and lightly lubricated with clean motor oil before tightening them because any debris on the bolts or in the bolt fixtures could cause additional friction and thus increase the amount of torque necessary for an ideal fitting. It is extremely difficult to gauge torque by touch. Most mechanics use torque wrenches to ensure that the proper amount of torque is applied, as over-tightening a bolt can be just as bad as not tightening a bolt enough and cause the bolt to snap.

Torque Specs for the Upper Intake Manifold

All bolts in the upper intake manifold of the 2000 V-6 Ford Mustang engine must be tightened in three steps. First, tighten each bolt with 53 inch-pounds of torque. Next, tighten each bolt to 71 inch-pounds of torque. Finally, rotate each bolt an additional 90 degrees.

Torque Specs for the Lower Intake Manifold

The bolts in the lower intake manifold of the 2000 V-6 Ford Mustang engine must be tightened in two steps. First, tighten each bolt to 44 inch-pounds of torque. Second, tighten each bolt to 89 inch-pounds of torque. In addition, "The Motor Repair Manual" for 2000 recommends applying beads of silicon gasket sealant to the gasket of the lower intake manifold.

The Ford Mustang was designed as an American muscle car, one that is meant to be raced. The H-pipe exhaust can help the driver of a Mustang enhance the horsepower of the car. H-pipes provide a combination of perfect air-flow and performance to deliver some extra power to the vehicle.

Instructions

Out with the Old

1

Lift the back of the vehicle with floor jacks and place it onto jack stands.

2

Cut the tailpipe right behind the muffler and pull out the tailpipes. The tailpipe will not come out in one piece. It might have to be swung around before you can remove it.

3

Remove the bolts connecting the muffler to the H-pipe and remove the muffler from the rubber hangers. Spray the hangers with WD-40 if they appear to be sticky, as this could help make the job a little smoother.

4

Remove the bolts that connect the old H-pipe and headers. Using a U-joint on your socket can be helpful, as the area is difficult to maneuver in.

5

Slide the H-pipe from the hangers. Use WD-40 when needed. Remove the O2 sensors from the old pipes.

In with the New

6

Slide the new H-pipe into the rubber hangers. If needed you can replace the rubber hangers, but in most cases these will be reusable. Be sure to line up the pipes with the header flanges and studs.

7

Bolt the new H-pipe loosely into place and hold the H-pipe in place with a floor jack while installing the rest of the exhaust system.

8

Install the pipes that attach to the H-pipe.

9

Slide the muffler into the hangers and use exhaust clamps to hold it into place.

10

Slide the new tailpipe into the rubber hangers and tighten all the bolts in the exhaust system once everything is lined up correctly. Install the new O2 sensors and plug in the O2 extensions.

The limited-slip differential found in the Ford 8.8-inch rear end is called "Traction-Lok." Locking the rear axles together and equally supplying power to both rear wheels improves traction. As the Mustang GT turns a corner the wheel on the outside of the turn must travel a greater distance, at a greater speed, than the wheel on the inside of the turn. The limited slip differential allows the connection between the two axles to slip and allow the outside wheel to go faster to make the turn smoothly.

Instructions

1

Park the Mustang GT on level ground. Secure the front wheels using wheel chocks. Kick the wheel chocks against the wheels using the heal of your foot so it cannot move while you are under it.

2

Raise and support the Mustang using a floor jack and jack stands. Position the floor jack under the Mustang GTs rear-end (differential) and lift the car until the rear wheels are off the ground. Position jack stands under the rear axles (tubes that connect the differential to the wheels) and lower the car onto the stands.

3

Place the transmission in neutral and release the parking brake. Turn the right rear wheel (by hand) and observe the left rear wheel. If the Mustang GT is equipped with "Traction-Lok" the left rear wheel will turn in the same direction and at the same speed as the right rear wheel. A properly operating limited-slip differential will cause the rear wheels to be difficult to turn by hand.

The Mustang has been one of the most recognizable cars in the United States since Ford introduced it in 1964. Ford brought out a new generation of the Mustang in 2005 and abandoned the Fox-body platform that had been used in the Mustang since the 1970s. The 2010 Ford Mustang came in several coupe and convertible trims, but the alignment specs were the same for all trims. The alignment was not adjustable on the rear end of any 2010 Mustang.

Caster

The caster angle is equivalent to the slope of an imaginary line drawn through the upper and lower ball joints of a wheel. The angle is based on zero being a vertical line straight up from the ground. If the top of the slope passes on the side of the line toward the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle has a positive caster. If the top of the slope passes on the side of vertical toward the front of the vehicle, then the vehicle has a negative caster. The ideal setting for the caster angle is +7.1 degrees but it can range by 0.75 degrees in either direction, with a cross tolerance of 0.75 degrees.

Camber

The camber angle of a wheel is based on the way that the wheel leans when viewed from the front of the vehicle. If the top of the wheel leans out, away from the vehicle, then the wheel has a positive camber. If the top of the wheel leans in, toward the vehicle, then the wheel has a negative camber. The ideal camber setting is -0.75 degrees but it can range by 0.75 degrees in either direction, with a cross tolerance of 0.75 degrees.

Toe-in

The toe of a wheel is based on its angle in relation to the centerline of the vehicle. Most vehicles are designed to be slightly pigeon-toed in order to relieve pressure from the steering axis. This is known as toe-in and is measured in positive degrees or inches. The toe on the 2010 Ford Mustang should be set at +0.2 degrees but it can range by 0.2 degrees in either direction.

Starting problems can happen to any vehicle from time to time and require troubleshooting to determine the cause. Although your 2001 Mustang should start every time the ignition switch engages, there are those rare occasions when cranking the vehicle doesnt go according to plan. Systematically checking the various components that make up the starting circuit is part of the troubleshooting process.

Instructions

1

Start with the Mustangs battery. Remove and clean the battery terminals and posts for an improved connection to the starting circuitry. Loosen the terminal bolts with a 5/16-inch wrench and remove them from the posts. Brush both the posts and the terminals clean with a wire brush before reconnecting the terminals to the battery.

2

Ensure the battery is properly charged by connecting it to a battery charger. Connect the positive and negative leads from the charger to the respective posts on the battery. When the charger is plugged into an electrical outlet, the meter on the face of the charger will indicate the level of charge that exists in the battery. If the battery is low and will not take a charge, replace the battery with a new one.

3

Check that the alternator is properly sending a charging current to the battery. Most auto parts stores provide an alternator and battery test as a free service to their customers. If the alternator is not recharging the battery, replace it with a new or refurbished one.

4

Inspect the fuel pump safety switch if the car cranks but will not start. The fuel safety switch for a 2001 Mustang is located on the drivers side of the trunk compartment. Pull the carpeting down just in front of the drivers side tail light and depress the reset button on the safety switch, if it is tripped. The safety switch is designed to shut fuel off to the engine in case of an accident. However, the switch will sometimes trip for no apparent reason.

5

Check for faulty spark plugs if the engine cranks but fails to start. Old or fouled plugs will fail to ignite the fuel/air mixture in the engine, preventing it from starting on its own. Fouled spark plugs appear soaked in fuel. Burns or gouges in the business end of a spark plug are an indication that it needs to be replaced.

Removing the pins from the door hinges of your Mustang will allow you to remove the door or replace worn bushings on the hinges. When you remove the pins, the door will be unattached and must be supported or it will fall, potentially damaging the door, window, or other components. New pins and bushings are sold at auto parts stores.

Instructions

1

Open the door of your Mustang and slide a jack under the door. Place a piece of wood between the bottom of the door and the jack, and raise the wood with the jack until the door is resting on the wood.

2

Locate the top pin in the center of the door hinge and tap the bottom of the pin with a hammer to push it up. Do not drive the pin out of the hinge; just push it high enough to create a gap between the top of the hinge and the head of the pin.

3

Slide a flat pry bar under the head of the pin and pry it up and out of the hinge as you stabilize the door to keep it from falling over. Move the bar to the bottom pin and pry it out.

4

Lift the door off the hinges and set it aside.