Car Will Not Remain Running

[merlot4]

My car started fine, no warning lights; drove a few blocks and all lights came on and the car stopped. I was able to glide it to a side street, but then it would start fine, then immediately stop running. Then it was towed to the wrong garage, so now it will have to wait until morning to be towed again.

I'm lucky to have been able to walk home, not be struck by lightning, or swallowed by a sinkhole! I had AAA, t was pretty day, I met some nice people out for a walk, and it was a quiet side street, so not a total loss. Repairs on the bird are starting to be regular and expensive, I'll have to see how this pans out.

BTW, the Spring Equinox is tomorrow, 19 March, at 11:06 pm!

[ambitio]

Hi Richard

Sorry about the car. Hopefully it is something minor this time.

I know about the Spring Equinox. That is when we (Persians) celebrate the new year :-)

Reza

[merlot4]

Thanks, Reza!

The equinox is a great time to celebrate a new year, I hope it's a great one for you and yours!

[007Cruiser]

Sorry to hear of your trouble. Please let us know what they found.

[DavidA]

Richard: It sounds like a fuel pump issue with your car. Hope you get it fixed in short order.

[merlot4]

The car has been with the mechanics and they can't get it not to work, it fires up each time and remains running. The tow truck driver had the same problem I did, but the mechanics can't make sense of it at the car place. They kept it a few extra days to see if it would happen again, but nothing. On one hand I'm happy without an enormous bill, but on the other hand, I feel like it's an accident waiting to happen, and next time I might not be as fortunate as to where it happens. I might have the fuel filter replaced as preventative work, but I don't think that was the problem, Crazy stuff.

As an added bonus, here's a brief video clip from tbirdbob about the 2002 fuel pump that actually isn't exactly a pump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edz7CP0F8e4

[ambitio]

I had somewhat of a similar issue with the Lincoln. It would drive well, I would get to a destination (say a grocery store) park and turn the car off, it wouldn't start. This would happen more frequently when the engine / weather was warm. It seemed to go away during the colder months.

I changed the relays, few fuel filters, nearly changed the crank shaft sensor, etc. Nothing seemed to make a difference. Then one day someone suggested to use a fuel system cleaner. I used Techron for high mileage (given the car - it also comes in low mileage version) a few times. I am yet to experience the problem since.

Maybe it cleared the lines and the injectors, the gunk in the bottom of the tank, .... who knows

[merlot4]

Thanks for the information, Reza, I think that sounds like a good idea. In the meantime I'm having the fuel filter changed -at 100K I guess it's time ;-) I keep forgetting that these cars are at least 20 years old, and can get a little quirky.

[BillyL]

Make sure the mechanic changes the rubber hose that connects the fuel filter to the steel gas line. It could also be a possible cause of your problem.

[merlot4]

Thanks, Billy.