99 Ford Contour Starts then stalls?

Tiny
POKER85212
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD CONTOUR
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
1999 Ford Contour was running sluggish No CEL came on alternator light did come on. Replaced the Battery and the Alternator then the car would start and run fine but after a few moments would stall out. Took car to shop and they replaced plugs and wires. Car is still stalling out. Hooked up pressure gauge to fuel rail and pressure starts fine but after a few moments loses all pressure. Shop can not figure out whats wrong any ideas?
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 AT 11:48 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
POKER85212
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Fuel Filter was also replaced
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Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 AT 11:52 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Injector and fuel pressure regulator could be leaking dropping it-
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Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 AT 11:56 PM
Tiny
POKER85212
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How would I test that?
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 12:04 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Take it back to the shop and have them check it for you
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
POKER85212
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Went to the shop and they claim that the fuel pressure regulator was checked along with all the vacuum lines?
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 12:56 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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DOES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WORK. ON, DURING START-UP?

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 1:19 AM
Tiny
POKER85212
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Yes the check engine light does work no codes were stored according to the shop
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 1:24 AM
Tiny
POKER85212
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I dont know if this helps at all but I just drove the car home from the shop and the car drives fine in 2 gear. It does have an automatic transmission and only stalls out in park and drive?
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 2:51 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE---AIN'T YOUR CAR.....IT'S MY WIFES!

PRETTY MUCH THE SAME GADGET....PRETTY MUCH SAME LOCATION AT THROTTLE BODY INLET

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2005-ford-escape-rough-idle-at-low-rpm

THIS SHOULD BE A CINCH, TO REMOVE AND CLEAN!----I'M NOT SAYING TO RUSH OUT AND BUY ONE! (YOU CAN LATER, IF THIS IMPROVES THE SITUATION)

BUT FOR NOW, JUST CLEAN IT......SEND RESULTS BACK.....THIS WILL HURT NOTHIN', EVEN IF IT DOES NOT HELP!

THIS IS WHAT "YOURS" LOOKS LIKE, IF I PLUGGED IN THE CORRECT INFO AT THE TOP OF THIS LINK

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1999-Ford-Contour/Idle-Air-Control-Valve/_/N-jde6aZ9gsof?filterByKeyWord=IAC&fromString=search

WE'RE PULLIN' FOR YOU!

YOUR TURN

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 3:14 AM
Tiny
POKER85212
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I pulled the IAC off and cleaned and reinstalled and am having the same issue?
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 3:19 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
It may be that the computer ignores certain data when the car is not in drive?
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
POKER85212
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
It dies when the car is in drive reverse or neutral it only stays running if I drop it down into 2nd or 1st gear
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
ROGER

I HAVEN'T SPENT TOO MUCH OF YOUR MONEY THUS FAR?

I DO NOT KNOW YOUR CAR WELL. RASMATAZ, MAY CAN HELP HERE!

I'M USING A ON-LINE REPAIR MANUAL SERVICE, AVAILABLE TO US AS A "SPIFF"

IT IS DIFFICULT FOR A "OLD JEEP AND OLD FORD MAN" TO NAVIGATE.

JUST LIKE YOU, THIS COMPUTER CAR IS A CHALLENGE FOR ME TOO.

LUCKILY. ANYONE HERE, CAN JUMP IN AND HELP.I'M TRYIN' HARD!

YOU GOTTA HELP ME TOO!

ON THIS NEW STUFF, LOTS OF THINGS COULD SHUT DOWN A FUEL PUMP. ELECTRICALLY

YOU'RE SAYIN' FUEL PRESSURE DROPS. BEFORE YOU RUSH OUT AND GET A PUMP, OTHER THINGS MAY COME INTO PLAY

LET'S GET STUFF CORRECT. FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE IN PLACE. KEY TURNED ON. BUILDS PRESSURE, THEN DROPS?

OR DROPS WHILE RUNNING?

1ST CASE. RAZ MAY BE RIGHT. SHOP MAY BE WRONG

2ND CASE. MAYBE A INTERMITTENT FUEL PUMP RELAY. II HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT IS, ON YOURS. IF YOU CAN FIND IT, SWAP IT WITH AN IDENTICAL RELAY (OF LESSER IMPORTANCE, JUST FOR THIS TEST). SUCH AS "POWER WINDOWS", "MIRRORS", ETC, ETC. IF IT THE CULPRIT, THEN BUY A NEW ONE. OWNER'S MANUAL AND BOX COVERS MAY IDENTIFY THE RELAYS.

ANOTHER POSSIBILITY MIGHT BE TRASH HANGING IN/AT YOUR FUEL PUMP. OR WORST CASE. BAD PUMP

GOOD THING HERE IS, ANYONE CAN JUMP IN AND OFFER ASSISTANCE, I'LL BE AWAY SEVERAL HOURS, AS I MUST GO REPAIR SOME STUFF AT MY MAMA'S HOUSE

LAST QUESTION FROM ME RIGHT NOW. SHOP KICK YOU OUT. OR LOST THEMSELVES, OR IN ORDER TO KEEP IT THERE, A SKI MASK MIGHT BECOME PART OF YOUR "WORK ATTIRE", JUST TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT?

KEEP US POSTED

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 3:48 PM
Tiny
POKER85212
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
The shop has absolutely no clue they just wanna keep throwing money at it!
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 3:55 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
NOT TRYIN' TO SLUFF YOU OFF OR NOTHIN'

WE DO LIKE TALKING TO YOU!

IN THE PAST ON TROUBLING ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH COMPUTER CONTROLLED VEHICLES,

I HAVE VISITED THE LOCAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL. THE INSTRUCTORS KNOW THEIR STUFF, AND WILL USUALLY DISCUSS IT WITH YOU. SOMETIMES THEY CAN SCHEDULE YOU IN, WITH A "RIDE AROUND DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER". HERE, COST IS LIKE $15-$25 DONATION. IF YOU CAN DO WITHOUT, FOR A WHILE. AND THEY CAN GET IT IN. THEY'LL WORK ON IT, YOU BUY THE PARTS + DONATION.

JUST OPTIONS. MAY NOT WORK OUT. MAY SQUARE YOU AWAY!

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 4:06 PM
Tiny
POKER85212
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I traded out the fuel pump relay with a different one and no change?
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 8:34 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
I wonder if the trans selector neutral safety switch has any bearing on this. I had a 98 apart and it had a lot of internal complexity and micro resistors and what not. Not a cheap part I imagine.
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Thursday, August 11th, 2011 AT 4:06 AM

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