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1997 Ford Taurus constant problems all year

Tiny
CHARLIE304250
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 199,789 MILES
Earlier this year my car started jerking while I was driving down the road, and I had no power at all even with the pedal clear to the floor. I shut it off and it started right back up and I got all the way home with no problems. Then it got to the point to where it would idle rough, jerk, and stall just about every time I would slow down or stop. Then it got to where I would drive about 15 miles and it would act up really bad, and after I shut it off for a little bit it would run again, but idle roughly. Now it takes forever just to keep it idleing. I will start it up and it will shut off right away, even when I shove the pedal to the floor it will rev up a little bit and backfire like crazy and stall again. I was getting a trouble code for banks 1 and 2 being too lean, then I replaced the mass airflow sensor now it says banks 1 and 2 are too rich. I have replaced the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel filter, fuel pump, PCV valve, camshaft sensor, mass airflow sensor (MAF), EGR valve, and still no luck. I have had the catalyic converters checked and they are fine. I have put way too much money into it now, and I have had several mechanics tell me that they have no idea what could be wrong, because I have replaced about everything in the troubleshooting guides they have.
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Sunday, September 19th, 2010 AT 3:06 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Have you checked the fuel pressure regulator? Also, have you checked vacuum leaks around the intake?
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Sunday, September 19th, 2010 AT 12:42 PM
Tiny
CHARLIE304250
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  • 9 POSTS
No, I haven't checked the fuel pressure regulator, other than having my fuel pressure checked. Also, I have checked for vacuum leaks and so far I have found none. Earlier I removed my IAC valve and cleaned it, and someone mentioned that my timing might be off due to a bad chain, or my crankcase sensor whiched I checked and it is good, and I have already replaced my camshaft sensor, and the entire piece that goes into my motor.
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Sunday, September 19th, 2010 AT 4:40 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Recheck the fuel pressure and the pressure regulator. Here is a how to for checking:

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

Let me know what you find.
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Monday, September 20th, 2010 AT 10:55 PM
Tiny
CHARLIE304250
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  • 9 POSTS
I checked the fuel pressure, and the pressure is 48. Before I replaced the fuel pump, my pressure was only about 18, and after the pump was replaced it was 48, so my pressure is still good. Could it be my timing chain or the sprokets?
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Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 AT 3:00 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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It could be a timing issue, but I would think it would have happened all at once. Based on your original post, it seems to have gotten worse over time.

As far as the fuel pressure, 48psi is above the max listed of 45. Is that pressure with the engine running or off? It shouldn't exceed 45 with the key on engine off.
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Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 AT 11:55 PM
Tiny
CHARLIE304250
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I just had it checked again earlier, and the pressure was 43 with the engine on, and with the engine off it was 40. When I got the 48 reading that was about a month ago when I replaced the fuel pump, but like you said it has gotten worse since it first started, and now I can't keep it running, because as soon as it starts up, it stalls right away.
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Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 AT 1:55 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Then it has to be related to the ignition system. Have you checked the crank sensor?
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Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 AT 11:21 PM
Tiny
CHARLIE304250
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I took the crankshaft sensor off, and it had a decent amount of dirt over the magnet, but the sensor tested ok. I checked my engine light codes again to see if anything new has popped up, but it still comes up banks 1 & 2 are too rich. I have replaced everything that could cause this problem from my repair manual, except for my o2 sensors, but we tested them and they were all ok.
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Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 AT 1:22 PM
Tiny
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The only thing left are the injectors. Have you checked to see if they are leaking?
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Saturday, September 25th, 2010 AT 1:13 AM
Tiny
CHARLIE304250
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Nope, they are not leaking, and they are in good working condition. So, I am stumped at what it could be.
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Saturday, September 25th, 2010 AT 4:09 AM
Tiny
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The last thing I can think of is the temp sensor. It tells the computer the ambient temp and coolant temp. From that, the computer determines how rich or lean to make the air fuel mixture.
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Sunday, September 26th, 2010 AT 12:54 AM

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