1985 Ford Crown Victoria Stalls at Idle

1985 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS
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IMTHESLEDGE
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  • 3 POSTS
my 85 vic keeps stalling, either when I push on the brakes (at a dead stop) or when I let my foot off of the gas, and allow it to idle, it started about a week ago, and has gotten so bad now, I cant park, because it keeps stalling, I've changed the air filter and crankcase filter because I thought it was getting "choked out" but it seems like by doing that, it made it worse, can someone please help, this is my only car
Oct 23, 2006 at 7:28 AM
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BIGJOE9991
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  • 2 POSTS
i would try some of that engine cleaner like teh carb stuff. and if that dosent work maybe your clutch is going.
Oct 24, 2006 at 4:52 AM
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IMTHESLEDGE
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  • 3 POSTS
well, we put the carb cleaner in it, and its doing the same thing, just when i drive then stop (it used to do it before I even drove it) and I noticed a leak in the radiator, so, I bought a new radiator...

...now, my radiator was small (by about 3 inches) and we figured who we got it from just slapped some random radiator in it, so we go get one, and the new one is small, then we take it back, and ask the guy what it could be, we start checking all of the differant model types, LTD, LTD LX, Police, nothing, their the same size, then!

the guy decides to check the grand marquis radiator, and it fits perfect, so does this mean i have a ford crown vic. body with grand marquis guts?????
Oct 25, 2006 at 9:10 AM
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CATCH_15
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 250 POSTS
First off, a crown vic doesn't have a clutch, it only comes with automatic transmissinons. Second, Ford owns Lincoln and Mercury. The crown vic and grand marquis are identical except for the mercury badges.
Third, start by checking your fuel pressure. If you don't have good fuel pressure, it sounds like your fuel pump is going out.
Oct 25, 2006 at 10:31 AM
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IMTHESLEDGE
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why would they sell differant size radiators if they were the same, even the brackets were in the wrong place for the crown vic radiator

i'm going to check the fuel filter/s first, and if those are fine then i'll move onto the pump

my cars turning into a peice of junk pretty quick
Oct 26, 2006 at 3:46 AM
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Suggested Repair

Check fuel pressure. If pressure is low, the fuel pump is likely failing. Checking the fuel filter first is reasonable before replacing the pump. The Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis share the same platform, which explains the radiator fit.

Conversation Summary

A 1985 Ford Crown Victoria stalls when stopping or returning to idle, and filter changes did not help. A radiator leak led to a size mismatch that was resolved with a Grand Marquis radiator. An expert noted these models are essentially the same, that the car has no clutch, and advised checking fuel pressure because a failing fuel pump is likely. The owner planned to check the fuel filter, then the pump.

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