2002 Lincoln LS Gear Select Data error message

I have a 2002 Lincoln LS with 26K miles and I'm having a serious problem with this car. Driving and the motor shuts off and these two messages appear on the dash: Gear Select Data error and Check Advance Trac. What is the problem with my car and is there a Computer Reader tool out there I can buy that will tell me what part/circuit is bad, so I'm not tied to the dealer.
Thanks,
Steve

You can try swinging by a local chain auto parts store. If there are engine codes, their scan tool should be able to read them. However, their tool probably won't be able to pull the codes for the ABS/AdvanceTrac or the transmission. To get those codes, you'll need to have the dealer read them, a professional shop read them, or pick up an OTC Genisys/Mac Determinator/Cornwell [something], OTC Nemesis, or Snap-On MT-2500 scan tool. These are not cheap though.

-Rod

I have been having problems with my 02' ls starting on occasion, and I have noticed when it doesn't start the red light on the dash flasing quickly. So when I turn the key to the on position, I wait until the solid red light goes out to crank the car over and it starts right up. If I get a rapid flashing red light, I turn the key to off and then back to the on position (sometimes this may take more than one time) to avoid a cranking motor which won't start.
Now I am having random stalls, usually in turns, where I get a gear select error or check advance track. With these errors, I also get that rapid flashing light... no check/service engine soon light, and the car has been starting right back up- but losing power steering/brakes in a turn is dangerous...
Anyone know what's going on with my lincoln which only has 85,000 miles on it???

In addition I got a problem with the cruise either not engaging or only engaging briefly and warm air blowing out the passenger side with the a/c set on max. (I've search these last two things and I'm pretty sure I know what's going on with them, just haven't had a chance to fix them and now this) any help would b appreciated, seems like its just one thing after the other with this car right now...
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Hmmm, "just one thing after another" and the car being 8 years old. Sounds to me like you might be due for a new battery. These cars seem to have very sensitive electrical systems that don't function well, even on batteries that load test fine on the automated battery and charging system testers at the parts stores. If you battery is more than 3 or 4 years old, I'd suggest you change it with a proper new battery and see if at least the random stalling goes away.

-Rod

Battery is only a couple months old, like wise the altenator...
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Its been a couple of months and the stalling is gone.

I have come to the conclusion that the gear select error which I was getting, seems to be just a generic error message. This message only appeared when the car was in drive and not running. So, this happened everytime it STALLED, leaving me scratching my head or :banghead:

After having it scanned with a professional tool and no codes being stored in the computer I started with the basics. Either fuel/air or spark. Since I couldn't flood it whenever the thing wouldn't start I decided I must have a fuel issue. Changed the filter (which looked original, and I couldn't blow any air through it) which was full of black dirt, but it still stalled.

Decided that the clogged filter may have ruined my pump. Which one to replace, Jet or Primary... Decided to replace the primary because sometimes it wouldn't start (even though it stalled at +2000rpm as well). After I installed the Primary I ran it hard and it stalled, so I thought I needed the jet pump too. Unfortunately, the one, yes one in the entire country NAPA had, they sold the day prior. Couldn't find one anywhere else except Ford so I decided to hold off.

Now 2 months later, no stalls. So, I think the Primary just needed to prime the jet pump, since its mechanical.

Moral of the story, change your fuel filter when its scheduled to avoid replacing expansive fuel pumps.