Stalls after twenty minutes

JOHNABABA1342

MEMBER
1998 FORD EXPEDITION
AUTOMATIC
500,000 MILES

1) Symptoms started to occur a month ago.
2) Car stalls while driving or in park after 20 minutes.
3) Can't turn on car for 24 hours.
4) If I unplug the battery for 20 minutes, I am able to run the engine for 20 minutes.
5) After stalling and not unplugging the battery, I'll put in starter fluid and the car turns on immediately for 10 seconds before stalling(until starter fluid is gone).
6) There is spark.
7)no noise clicking when turning key on after it stalls.
8)No check engine light.

What could be causing this?

5 Replies

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

This could be a problem with a few different things. Let's start by checking the fuel pump relay, which is located in the Power Distribution Box in the engine compartment. In the diagrams down below I have included the engine management wiring diagrams with the fuel pump circuit highlighted for you as well as the layout and callout of the power distribution box for you. Here is a link to a guide explaining how to test a relay below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Please report back with what you find out, and we can go from there, if we need to.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 AT 8:37 AM

BMDOUBLE

MECHANIC
1,139 POSTS

Agreed! But if the fuel pump is original to this vehicle I would replace it along with the relay!

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Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM

JOHNABABA1342

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I hear the the fuel pump when I start the vehicle. I also replaced the fuel pump relay and the issue is still not resolved. I hear the relay clicking, so its working. However, I'm wondering if its possible for the fuel pump to make a sound and still not work properly? What are a list of problems that could cause the symptoms that I previously posted? After searching the internet, one person described the same exact symptoms that I was having. He also noted that starter fluid would momentarily start the vehicle. His problem was a faulty ECM, he replaced it and it worked.

Based on the symptoms of the vehicle, are one of these parts a possible cause?

Crankshaft Sensor
Camshaft Sensor
Maf Sensor
ECM
The fuse panel(Already checked it
Pump relay(replaced it)
Fuel pump

Am I missing anything?

How would I test these parts for proper functionality?

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Friday, January 31st, 2020 AT 12:41 PM

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello again,

Does your vehicle have coil packs or Coil on Plugs[COP]?

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Friday, January 31st, 2020 AT 4:21 PM

BMDOUBLE

MECHANIC
1,139 POSTS

It is possible for the pump to make noise yet put out insufficient flow of fuel, most of the time due to a clogged sock and or contaminants in the tank. I would check fuel pressure at the time that this is happening. If you don't have a gauge, you can just press the Schrader valve on the fuel rail to see if you get a squirt upwards. If it is just a dribble, then your issue is that the pump is not able to build pressure for one of a handful of reasons. If there is good voltage and ground at the pump, then there is nothing left to do other than remove the pump, inspect the fuel and tank for rust and contaminants, then replace the pump!