95 taurus won't start sometimes. shuts off sometimes.

[davehelix]

I have a 95 Taurus GL 3.8L. The engine will crank but not start sometimes. I don't think it's a temperature issue because I've had it not start when it's sitting for a few hours and I've had it not start after a few minutes of it being shut off. I've also had it shut off on me while I'm driving a few times. I'm getting about 16 miles to a gallon.

I replaced the ignition coil because the one in there was fried. I put fuel injector cleaner in it and it started up every time and didn't shut off on me while driving for about two weeks until it started doing it again. I replaced the fuel filter and the guy said he found metal shavings. It worked fine for a few start ups then it started acting up again later on. It left me sit in the Wal-Mart parking lot so I came back the next day and it started right away. I haven't touched it since I got it home because I don't want it to let me sit somewhere again.

I've been told that the fuel pump might need to be replaced. Can anyone give me advice before I do this? Thank you.

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

You probably need to get ahold of a fuel pressure guage to see what the fuel pressure is at the fuel rail when the car won't start/run. If the fuel pressure is low or non-existent, you should measure the voltage to the fuel pump. The easiest place to make this measurement would probably be at the fuel pump shut off switch in the trunk.

If you have battery voltage to the pump and no fuel pressure, plus the mention of metal filings in the filter, your fuel pump is probably due for replacement.

The fuel pump is located in the fuel tank and the tank needs to be lowered to replace it.

-Rod

[davehelix]

I replaced the fuel pump and put a new relay in and it seemed to be good until it left me sit at a red light. It would crank and not start. It began to get slower, almost to the point where it would crank one time and that's it. Like the battery died. I had it jumped and it started right up. I was told that my problem might be the computer, but I was also told by someone else that that's unlikely to be it. I thought that it might be the EGR module but I was told that that would cause a rough ride. My car rides fine. A friend said that it might be the ignition control module. Does anyone think that might be the issue?

Grrr, I'm getting so frustrated with this car!

[shorod]

Well, it could be EGR, it could be crankshaft position sensor, it could be a loose wire somewhere, and in extreme cases, low charging system voltage could cause the car to die (ie: sitting at a stop with the brakes applied, battery drains, PCM voltage drops below a threshhold, engine dies).

If the EGR is stuck open, the car probably would have difficulty starting, but as you slowed to a stop, the engine would likely die. It may die before you notice a rough idle. This could be debris in the pintle valve or a faulty DPFE sensor.

You may want to start by having the charging system tested and the battery load tested.

-Rod