I am borrowing some form of fox body mustang. It has a 5.0 and the automatic transmission. I parked the car today at home and just as I put it in park it died. I can't get it restarted. I can however get it started in neutral but as soon as I shift to reverse it dies.

The nose is pointing slightly down hill and it has just under 1/2 tank of fuel. It started up fine at work which was on a level surface. That is the only thing I can think of that might be causing this issue.

Carb or injection (89? is when they switched to injection)

Whats the idle speed set at? Should be set with the car running, in gear, with the vaccum system plugged, 700ish rpm.

What happens if you rev it to 1200 rpm, and put it into gear? (do not apply brakes)

I think you have 2 issues. 1 being a dead neutral safety switch (known weak point on the fox bodies) , 2 being a finky motocrap or edlebroken carb.

Door number 3 is unlikly, but POSSIBLY the transmissions having issues like a dead torque converter. How did the car drive before u shut it off, and whats the fluid level/color/smell?
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

I think its fuel injected. It started ok in neutral. On the way home it wouldn't really downshift for me to pass and it kind of flared a bit.

Other ideas from the fox body forums. I looked them over and it sounds like decent advice. Lots of it would be a gradual onset. What's the owner have to say about the car?

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/2-3l-tech/65135-1989-mustang-lx-2-3-goes-dead-when-cold-put-gear.html

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/701244-dies-when-put-into-gear.html

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

Check for vacuum leaks. IIRC the C series ford trans are vacuum controlled, and act dumb when leaking. With it running, spray carb cleaner on any lines u can see, and then the one at the trans. Idle goes way up, u found the leak. If it's a big enough leak, you'll hear a sucking noise upon close inspection (if it has headers or a glasspack, like most of them have, dont bother listening for it)

~Nate

__________________
95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

I haven't called him yet. It's a bit late.

I might push it out into the street which is level and see if it starts

Fox bodies are very very very easy to steal. I heard your hood's a bit rough, yo... May want to reconsider. I sincearly doubt the leval of the car will matter much, unless it's more then 15 degrees from level, or the gas gauge is broken. Could be, never rule anything out on a borrowed car. Dont be responsible for fixing it...

Bet u a soda it's got a vacuum leak, like the Aveo likely does.

~Nate

__________________
95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

He told me to not lock the doors and remove the radio face plate. IF its gone in the morning I'll applaud the thief for starting it. My hood isn't rough .. just stupid kids.

It was really low on coolant too... I dislike borrowing cars

Yes... Did you try just revving it to 1200rpm and putting it into gear? If the brakes arent on, it wont hurt anything. If they are on, it may clunk a bit.

__________________
95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

well, seeing as my moms truck is in front of it. I didn't.

Ahh, I see.

Good luck with it. Not hard cars to figure out, just constantly needy ones, especially if not well maintained... Like a Mercedes...
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

yeaaaah... I'm going to push it into the street and try in the morning. I really really do not want to be in this car for much longer.

I swear that car is stupid. We had to push it out into the street and it started. I need to check the transmission fluid level as well now.

Nevermind. I'm having issues starting it. Awesome

How many miles? Is the TV cable still attached to the linkage? just had to have the tranny fixed on my Fox bodied MK VII...the governor was not releasing after a cold take off when I came to a light or stop sign.

Start it in park, let it warm up for about 10-15 minutes, then try it...

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles