Computer problem
1999 Lincoln Continental V8 Front Wheel Drive Automatic 128000 miles
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Hey,

On my 99 Continental I had the service engine light come on. In the manual it says engine has run out of fuel, poor fuel quality, and improperly installed gas cap. The light came on with a quarter of a tank of gas so maybe rule out bad fuel. I have not let the car run out of fuel. Finally, I have checked the gas cap and it is secured. Any advice? I have not given it three driving cycles, however, like the manual says. Though, the oddity I have been having with the fuel is when pumping gas the pump keeps getting shut off (The gas station pump, not the fuel pump). This is a huge pain because the pumps (At different stations) are always kicked off and I have to keep releasing the handle. Any reason why the car is kicking off the gas pump and would it have any correlation with the service engine light?

Thanks,
Bryant Selko

No correlation, mine does the same thing, pull the nozzle, or rubber hood back and it will fill OK, inside the fill door is the recommecnded fuel, most lincolns require premium gas, if you use others, it may cause your problem, post the code if you can, it would be of some help!

The error I am getting with the light is a solid Service Engine Soon. Not blinking at any point. Is that what you were asking?

Thanks,
Bryant Selko

Sort of, but not quite...I would like to get the code number it can be scanned at Autozone, they do it free, write it down and post the result here...it will most likly be a "P" code such as P0301 or something...

Hey,

I got the code read, it came up with a P0174 and P0171 with "System too lean (Blank 1)," and "System too lean (Blank 2)." ...I have no idea what makes a car lean...but I hope it taste better then lean hamburger, lol. I did, however, reset the codes. I have no idea if I should have done that or not.

Thanks
Bryant Selko

Something else I would like to throw in is the car has felt like it is slightly shaking every now and then, and rarely (Twice this year) moderately shaking. Shaking being defined as an abnormal motion form side to side.

Bryant

You may have a vacuum leak, get a can of spray gumout, spray the vac lines and maniflod area, when the idle changes, youve found the leak! You want the engine running and spray on the outside but do direct the stream onto the hoses, if it is a vacuum leak, the engine idle will change speed, then you have detected a leak, repair the vacuum leak and see how it runs! Or a fuel pump problem...
http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_fuel_injection_pressure.htm
Go here and checkout our video.

Actually just had the fuel pump replaced because the car was not starting easily. So the vacuum line is just that small area near that sensor, as in the video?

Bryant

Found the problem. A very big hole in the vacume hose boot going into the engine. Had to replace the whole thing, $20 so not too bad and a minute of time.

Thanks

Bryant Selko

Your welcome.