Random stalling issue

Tiny
RIANN
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
I will start off with this information first because I am not sure if Ii is relevant or not. (I had a bad tire on the front passenger side that caused a tremendous amount of wobbling vibration I drove it that way for a few days before I realized that it was the tire). Last week while driving on the highway at about sixty mph I felt a slight stumbling. So, I got off the highway, the car seemed fine until I slowed down. It started to sputter. When the car came to a stop It sputtered, when I pressed down on the gas, the car sputtered, hesitated and shut off. I coasted It off to the side, let it sit for about thirty seconds then started it back up. It ran fine for about two miles then started sputtering and shut off. I started up again it ran for few seconds and shut off. I could not keep it running. I had it towed home. I put two bottles of heat in thinking maybe there was water in the gas. I waited about two hours then I tried to start it again it idled smooth until I put it in gear, it sputtered vibrated hard then shut off (I repeated that several times). I let it sit over night, started it up in the morning, it idled smooth for about fifteen minutes. I took It for test drive, drove it for about three miles down a hilly back road. The car drove like there was not a thing wrong with it. So, I changed the tire out and the car drove fine (for about a week and a half). Yesterday, I got a flat in the tire that I previously changed out and had to put the bad tire back on until I could get to the tire shop that was about ten miles away. Before I got there my car started to sputter, I got to a light and the car did the same thing as It had done the week before. I had to have the car towed to a shop because I could not keep it running. The mechanics tell me that they cannot figure out the problem. There are no codes and the engine light is not on. They tested the fuel pressure and a few other things and everything seems good. Not to mention, they say that they let the car run for a couple of hours and it ran fine. I am confused! Someone please help me understand this.
Friday, March 2nd, 2018 AT 8:50 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

It sounds like the fuel pump is the issue but it needs to be tested when the event happens. When the car runs, the pump will test fine but the key is to check it when it stalls.

Do you or can you get a gauge? You can rent one at a parts store.

Roy
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Friday, March 2nd, 2018 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
RIANN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I am not sure, I will have to check into that today. So, I am guessing that I have to drive it until the car stalls on me again. That is scary, lol. I am going to change out the fuel filter today. I am not sure if it has ever been replaced. Would a dirty fuel filter cause these symptoms?
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 AT 5:33 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It would cause low power but not stalling. There is a bypass in the filter if it is clogged.

Roy
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+1
Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 AT 5:35 AM
Tiny
RIANN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, that makes sense. I guess, maybe, I should go ahead and have it replaced then. I just wish that there was a way to test it now. Thank you for you help. I greatly appreciate it!
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 AT 5:40 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I agree. Keep us updated.

Roy
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 AT 6:51 AM
Tiny
RIANN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
This is an update on my problem with my car. It took awhile because I decided to trouble shoot it. I did a complete tune up, including changing out both coil packs, the camshaft position sensor and the up stream o2 oxygen sensor. I figured, regardless of how this turned out, these things needed to be replaced anyway due to the mileage on the car. Having said all that, the car continued to stall. I bought a code reader and drove around with it hooked up and finally, when it stalled I got a PO 0171 code. I decided to have the fuel pump replaced. When they took the pump out they found that the sock that goes around the pump had come loose and was hanging off the pump. I have been driving for a week now and have had no further problems, fingers crossed, lol. I think I might have some post dramatic stress issues from this experience!
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Friday, May 4th, 2018 AT 5:31 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Nice. Sounds like they found the issue.

Hope it stays running well.

Roy
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Friday, May 4th, 2018 AT 5:34 AM

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