Ok guys.. here we go.
I called AAA, they sent a truck to haul her the 85 miles to Columbia. We took her to Sloan Ford, the only SVT dealer I know of that's even close.
The first thing I had to do was explain to the tow truck driver how anal I am about my car. In typical fashion, he did not pay attention. Within a less than a minute he made the mistake of tossing his muddy gloves on my spoiler so he could reach under the car. When he came back up, I shoved them into his chest and said "OK, let's try THIS! I can be a REAL F***ing B*tch when it comes to my car. I know she isn't a hundred thousand dollar custom car, but she's MINE.. got it?!!"
He got it. Things went much smoother after I had his attention.
He followed us to the dealership and all went well. They already know me and my car and put her right in the shop. We went to lunch while Mark, also a Mustang guy, that is a certified master something or another and has a 97 Cobra that he has modded to do 8's in the quarter. My kind of guy. Nice and very smart feller. He knows his Cobras.
After all the breww-ha-ha for the past couple of days we were really stressing over what would be wrong and worrying about the wallet wounds that were about to be inflicted upon us.
Mark called us over and ask... what have you done to the car? I told him the engine is stock and he was a bit relieved, it made his troubleshooting easier. He then explained that the only code the car was coming up with was the anti theft system. We explained that we had changed the battery and so on and that the codes would have been cleared. He nodded, and repeated that the code was in there, even though the car would not start while we had it.
He told me to hop in and give her a try, and she fired right up... fussy, ungrateful, little bitch. Turns out that the module in the steering column is the problem. Something that Ford has a memo out on for the 1998 model, but not enough for a recall.
She evidently (now comes the "I feel sooooooo stooopid" part), had flooded with all the key turning off and on. No throttle necessary, we never touched it, there is a fuel dump valve that activates somewhere during that time when you turn on the key, the fuel lines come to pressure. He said she will run, but was hesitant to encourage me to just take her on home. It seems that the wiring on this module is a bit short, and from the tilting of the steering wheel becomes defective.
So, in our infinate wisdom we decided to have them do the following: Replace the security module in the steering column - cost about $200 Replace the tempermental turn signal control module - cost about $100 Give her an alignment that was much needed - cost $45
Having my baby back....
...if you think I'm going to say priceless, you're out of your flipping minds! At least I'll have my wheels back :-D spoiled rotten little pain in the ass ungrateful tempermental fickle little witch that she suddenly has become... must be puberty.
If she pulls any more of this crap, she's going to turn into an 03 or a Lightening or an Explorer Sport..
Thanks for all of your input guys!
Kate.