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'94 Ford Taurus Stopped Running.

I had an exasperating moment yesterday with that car. Drove a friend to an appointment, and back. got into his driveway, and we chatted for about one minute. Care engine just stopped. NO thump, no racing, no nothing, it just stopped. I tried to start the car, the motor turned over, but wouldn't start. After about five minutes it started fine, ran for about a minute, then stopped, just as easily/quietly as if I turned off the key.

I left the car at his house for about three hours, had a ride back to the car, and drove it home, about three miles. No problem. Is this a fuel pump problem?

One thing about this vehicle. I don't drive it very often, and when I do, it is usually short trips, less than three miles, or even two. Occasionally, I will drive it forty to fifty miles, let it sit for an hour or so, and drive back.

I change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. Usually the 6 months. I had changed the air filter about two months ago, and the old one really wasn't dirty, fiber was white and you could see through it. About the only problem I have with this car is that the air bag light and/or the ABS brake light will intermittently come on. That can happen for a day or two, then not do it for the next three or four weeks. Go figure.

Thanks in advance for any guidance on the engine stalling or the ABS/Airbag light..

Reply to
NoName
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In order for a car to run it's gas engine needs 3 things.

#1 Oxygen

#2 Fuel

#3 Spark

Oxygen can be cut off with a clogged air filter and/or a problem in the throttle body and all associated sensors and mechanisms.

For Fuel -- The fuel can be blocked off by a clogged fuel filter, a bad electric fuel pump, bad fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, clogged fuel injectors.

For spark -- Bad wiring harness, bad ignition Coil, bad spark plugs, and all other associated sensors and mechanisms.

I'd say the first thing to check would be the ignition coil.

But please do tell: Have you put in Fuel Injector cleaner in the tank every 3,000 miles? Have you replaced your fuel filter regularly as the manual says? Have you been good about replacing your air filter at specified intervals? How old are the spark plugs and wires in your car? Both Plugs and wires should be replaced at the same time you know. (only not too many realize that)

Reply to
eastwardbound2003

Its not uncommon to have the TFI module on the distributor fail and have no spark. Some are intermittent, some die dead. If that happened, the car would turn over fine but the motor would not hit or try to start at all. You need to determine if you have spark when this is happening. I put a timing light on mine to verify spark.

Someone else mentioned a coil. I did have a coil fail on my wagon, but once it was gone it was dead period. Either way, you need to know if you got spark to confirm a ignition or gas delivery problem

Bob

Reply to
BOB URZ

Haven't replaced the fuel filter. Haven't had a tune-up either This car has 90K miles. I bought it used with 65K miles on it about 7 years ago. I did have the transmission serviced after I bought it, complete flush of transmission fluid and filter change. I do run fuel injector cleaner through a 1/2 tank of gasoline in the spring. Did that about Feb/Mar this year. Air filter is new, probably less than 1,200 miles on it. Car seems to run fine, but I don't plan on driving it any further than i wish to walk at this point.

Reply to
NoName

I drove the car today, another one of those two mile "trips". After arriving home, I put the car in Neutral, and raced the engine. Not TOO fast, but I did tromp down on the accelerator pedal for a second or two, before letting off a bit - and holding, and then release. I noticed that with the transmission in neutral, racing the engine, it seemed like it was "missing".

Yet when I drove it, (not hitting the accelerator much, just to get to the school and back) I didn't notice ANY hesitation at all, though I did when there was NO load, yet "hit the gas".

Maybe I have a bad plug, sparkplug wire, or ?? Seems that the car runs okay, if you drive it 'sensibly', except it STOPPED for no apparent reason in the driveway last week. I need a FORD exorcist!!!

Reply to
NoName

This sounds like a problem I had with my Topaz - a fine Ford product - and when I replaced the distributor - includes the ignition module - it ran fine...interniten untill then...

Reply to
Nick Narcowich

Had a similar problem with my wife's Crown Vic.. Throttle position sensor was the culprit

Reply to
KENNETH MCABEE

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