1998 Grand Marquis starts then dies - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

bigvinny317 · 02-03-2011, 13:33

HELP!!!!! I have a 1998 Grand Marquis with 80K miles on it. About 6 weeks ago, we got a big snow storm and i spent a lot of time driving with Traction Control off (to help get unstuck) and to do a little snow sliding... some time later the next day, the car started normally and was running fine for a minute or so then just died. no sputtering, nothing.. just died and would not start. It did crank but sounded like no fuel/spark. I had it towed to the shop and they brought it in the shop and it started fine and ran great until last week until our most recent big snow storm that i had to drive in and it died in my driveway the next day. Similar symptoms, except this time the T/C light stays on and the car sputtered a couple times before it died. No check engine light or ABS.. However, every time it sputtered, the Check Engine light and the temperature light flashed on for a brief second and went away as the cars idle returned to normal.
Most recent update, today i started the car and it ran good except for when it sputtered a couple times, but never died. Any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.
-Vinny
PS, sorry for the novel, haha

**Bert** · 02-03-2011, 13:52

There doesn't have to be a light for a code to be present. Autozone or Advanced auto parts will check for free.

bigvinny317 · 02-13-2011, 08:34

UPDATE: I finally got a code reader from my buddy who owns one. I started my car today and it ran well (after i jump started it, the battery was dead). The code reader said there were no codes. i let the car run for a bit with the code checker plugged in and the car eventually died like it had before. the code checker then read "Communication error".. should i take this to mean there is some kind of electrical glitch or the computer is screwed up.. i have no idea.

I appreciate if theres anybody who has an idea or something i can try

**Bert** · 02-13-2011, 09:41

It could be the scanner. It also could be a connection somewhere. Here's the pniout on the DLC.

bigvinny317 · 02-14-2011, 10:53

possibly, but the code reader was connected and working fine, reading 'no codes'.. until it died then it said 'communication error'....

I think im just going to have to get it towed to the shop. i was hoping to see if i could fix it myself and save a bunch of money, but i guess its inevitable. unless anybody has any more suggestions?

-Vinny

**Bert** · 02-14-2011, 10:58

Since it doesn't start, spray carb cleaner or starting fluid in the intake and see if it starts. Do you hear the pump run for a few seconds every time the key is turned to run?

NoLeaks2001 · 02-14-2011, 17:13

So it only dies when it's at idle right? How is the performance going up a hill or during hard excelleration?
Check a plug and see if you're getting a nice crisp blue spark.
If so maybe you should check the fuel pressure. How long since the fuel filter was changed? If it is good on hills etc.then possibly not the fuel system. Anyway Ford says to change the fuel filter every 30K so if it's due then change it.

bigvinny317 · 02-16-2011, 12:33

i really havent driven it because i fear it will die somewhere far from home. but the car runs fine at idle for a couple minutes and it will just shut off and not restart. the traction control light still just stay lit as well even if i try to shut it off.

MSull788 · 02-18-2011, 16:51

it sounds like a loose battery cable. clean the terminals. then clean them again. corrosion isn't really that obvious. also could be a vacuum leak. start the car, spray starter fluid around suspected leak, if the rpms increase then you have found a leak.