Lincoln runs erratic when cold and on restarts

YESOYES71

MEMBER
LINCOLN TOWN CAR

HI. Need advice on codes 12, 18, 21 and 33 for a 1988 Lincoln Town Car Signature VIN#9 character=F.

Car surges fast/slow/fast/slow or races or both when cold but not everytime. On some restarts after a few minutes to an hour it does the same. Often to the point of stalling out especially if put into neutral then back into gear.

Acckkk need HELP!

Thanks, yesoyes71 aka Kenn
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2 Replies

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

12
System cannot raise engine speed
Check the IAC valve. It may be stuck or sticking

18
Loss of TACH signal to ECA
Check the SPOUT connector.

21
ECT sensor out of range
Engine coolant wasn't brought up to normal operating temperature or ECT
sensor is bad.

33
EVP sensor indicates EGR is not opening properly
EGR is bad, EVP is bad, and/or there is a vacuum leak.

Good luck and let us know. :)

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Sunday, May 14th, 2006 AT 9:03 PM

YESOYES71

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Gentlemen,
My mechanic says he has done lots of checking and has replaced EGR and others and suspects the computer is the real culprit.
Is the computer for that year available? He says not usually the course is remove, repair, reinstall the repaired unit. Sounds like a LARGE bill$$$ do you concur? I'm just a little frustrated in the length of this process but I believe he is trying to find the least cost solution.
Got a "ball park" figure or a source?
Thanks for corroborating the story.
Kenn

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Tuesday, May 16th, 2006 AT 12:21 AM