BHRmerc

Hello everyone,

I drive a 1998 Grand Marquis, and I'm facing a weird problem. While I'm driving, it shuts off all of a sudden with no warning. When I try to start it again, I have to struggle a bit, I might have to turn it a number of times until it starts.

I noticed that this usually happens when I turn the steering wheel left!

An electricial checked the fuses and wires for me and couldn't find anything wrong.

Sorry for the "Urgent" title, but it's my only car. I just bought it (sigh..) and I have to fix it ASAP. I looked around in the forums and haven't found a solution.

Thanks everyone for your time.

NoLeaks2001

Fuel pump, fuel filter. Filter is easy 5 minute job, $8 Fram filter at walmart. That's where I would start. But then this is my first one too and I'm just filling in for those here that actually know something about these.
You can take it to AutoZone and they will scan it for trouble codes (for free), go from there. But I would replace the filter regardless of any other information. My maintenance schedule (2001) says change it every 30,000 miles.-Brian

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2001 Grand Marquis LS, 30K miles mint. Finally a vehicle with NO LEAKS !

BHRmerc

I just took a ride to see what happens. The car shut off twice. As usual, it happened as I was driving on low RPM and turning left.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

floater3

When you say "shuts down all of a sudden", does this mean just the engine dies or do the lights and gauges on the dash die out also?

How many miles on it?

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'00 CV - 136K

BHRmerc

Thank you Brian, I guess I'll change the fuel filter regardless of the situation. I'll check the fuel pump too. I'm from Bahrain and I'll have to look for an AutoZone alternative here. Thanks again.


Thanks for the response bro. The car has 165k miles on it. When the car shuts down, only the engine dies while the lights and gauges stay on as they are.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate the help.

BHRmerc

Changed the fuel filter today. Checked the car and it still shuts down. I made more observations though, and noticed that the car only shuts down when the fuel range is less than half. I'm changing the fuel pump next, because it seems to be the only problem left. Will report back after I do this and check the car out.

Bajarider

Hello:
If going to the trouble of R&Ring the fuel pump, I would pay particular attention to the filter "sock" at the end of the pick up tube in the old fuel pump/sending unit. If the filter sock is dirty, perhaps you should carefully inspect the fuel tank for debris, and consider having the tank steam cleaned to avoid the same problem with the new pump. The vehicle is used and who knows what is inside the tank (besides gasoline). I would also inspect the tank vent lines.
Good luck!

BHRmerc

Thanks for the input, Bajarider. the car seized to start even after too many tries to give it a go. I've changed the fuel pump, and found out that the main cause of the problem was electricity. It was a mess, had to fix the wiring issues with it which is what caused the fuel pump to die in the end.

Thanks everyone for your help, I appreciate it.

Bert

Glad you fixed it. Thanks for the update.

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Bert