What caused it to cut out while being driven?

KATHI POH

MEMBER
2003 FORD TAURUS
3.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
210,000 MILES

I will be driving down the road, and it will cut out a little bit, then be fine. It does this off and on, not set time for it to happen, just whenever. Could it be a fuel filter or fuel pump going out?

Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 AT 8:28 PM

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,471 POSTS

Hi,

Certainly, it could be a fuel-related issue. I would think that if pressure was low, you would notice it more when the engine is under a load. Have you ever noticed that?

Also, does the check engine light stay on when the engine is running?

You may want to consider checking the fuel pressure to make sure it is within the manufacturer's specifications. You will need a fuel pressure gauge, but most parts stores will lend one to you.

Here is a link that explains how in general it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

I attached the manufacturer's specs below for fuel pressure.

Let me know as much as you can or if you have other questions.

Take care.

Joe

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Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 AT 7:07 PM

KATHI POH

MEMBER
4 POSTS

It happens no matter what I am doing, going down a flat highway at 55 MPH, or a city street at 25 MPH. It doesn't do it all the time, just at sporadic times, it may do it today, then again it may not. I could of driven 1 miles or 20 miles, it just does it whenever, and it just does it then it fine for a while.I am a 75 year old female, raising a 16 year old great-grandson on a small income, I see online that fuel pumps can run from $700.00 to $900.00 to fix. That is more than my entire monthly income. Should I see about having the fuel filter changed, and see if that stops the problem?

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Thursday, April 14th, 2022 AT 12:17 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,471 POSTS

Hi,

Based on your description, this doesn't sound like a fuel-related issue. Instead, it seems more electrical or related to the ignition system.

Has the check engine light turned on or flashed when the engine is running or when this happens?

Let me know.

Joe

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Thursday, April 14th, 2022 AT 12:50 PM

KATHI POH

MEMBER
4 POSTS

No, the check engine light has not came on or flashed.

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Friday, April 15th, 2022 AT 1:40 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,471 POSTS

Hi,

That makes it tough. The one thing that comes to mind is if the crankshaft position sensor is going bad. When these start to fail, they can be affected by heat. Have you ever noticed it doing this when the engine is cold?

At this point, I am steering away from a fuel problem simply because it happens regardless of the load on the engine. Anything that would restrict fuel flow would be most noticeable when the engine is under a load.

Do me a favor. Take a look through this link and let me know if you feel it mirrors what you experience:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Interestingly, the crankshaft position sensor can fail without setting the check engine light.

Let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Joe