2001 Taurus SEL Stalls while idling and at speed

[Mad$0n]

My 2001 Taurus recently started stalling. It does it either while sitting at idle or driving at speed. After it stalls, one of two things happen:

1. The starter doesn't crank when I turn the key and I can hear a high pitched whirring sound coming from the rear of the car. (I think it might be the fuel pump)

2. The engine cranks but won't start, and after a couple of tries the symptoms described in number 1 kick in.

After 1 to 2 minutes, it starts and seems to run fine for anywhere from 30 seconds to a half a day.

I also noticed that it occurs more often when I have my headlights or defrost on, however it has happend with nothing on also.

One time when it happened at a stoplight I reved the engine while waiting for the light to change. I noticed that at higher rpms it started missing and running real rough. Slower rpms it seemed to be fine.

Don't know if it's a sensor, the computer, the fuel pump or possibly a loose wire somewhere. Any deas?

[Millermagic]

Almost sounds like a fuel delivery problem. Maybe clogged fuel filter?

How many miles on the car?

[Mad$0n]

It just turned 37000 miles. Took it in and had it tested and it didn't have any fault codes. I'll try changing the filter and see it it helps.

[brokenantimatter]

• Check the fuel pressure before the filter
• Check the fuel pressure after the filter
• Check the fuel pressure at the engine
• Check the sparks plugs and coil packs

[escort0526]

check the fuel pump relay. My 01 sel did exactly the same thing. relay fixed it.