My car shuts off at intervals

1999 FORD WINDSTAR

130 MILES • 3.8L • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

EMMANUEL WOOD

MEMBER
1 POST

I replaced my bad fuel pump recently and discovered that whenever I climb a road side bump or bad road ditch while in motion,my car suddenly trips off. I always have to start my engine all over again before I could proceed with driving. I have bought new plugs and serviced the injector systems yet the problem persist. It also trips off when my fuel is in quarter tank instead of going off when it's on reserved tank as previously experience with my old fuel pump. Please what can I do? Should I replace the fuel pump again? Or check my fuel pump fuse?

Sep 18, 2020 at 9:40 AM

KASEKENNY

✓Experienced Mechanic
18,907 POSTS

We need to start with checking to see if this is even fuel causing it to happen. The reason is, if the old fuel pump was doing this and the new one is as well, maybe it was not the fuel pump.

Let's check fuel pressure and go from there.

Here is a guide on how to do that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Then we can prove that this is fuel related when it happens and we can go to the next steps. Thanks

Sep 18, 2020 at 10:01 AM

BMDOUBLE

✓Experienced Mechanic
1,139 POSTS

If it were a fuel pump issue, the vehicle would not stall immediately, it would slowly stumble before it shut off. A common failure point is at the wire harness near the rear of the engine between the firewall and the engine. The wire harness can rub on the steering rack or anything metal and short out. I would raise the vehicle and inspect the wiring very carefully for any rub-throughs.

Sep 19, 2020 at 12:51 AM

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