2 problems...are they related?

[feldspar]

Okay, I've got two things going on with my 2000 Ford Escort ZX2.

First problem started about 6 months ago. When I push in the clutch coming to a stop, the car will just quit. No shaking, no jerking, I just stall out and I have to restart the car. It restarts just fine, it's just weird that it all of a sudden quits on me. I did an experiment, and tried coasting in neutral, and at times it would quit out then too. This hasn't proved to be a nuisance so far, so I haven't taken it too seriously.

The other problem started a couple of weeks ago. The car shows that it's running colder than normal by the temperature gauge. Nothing (other than problem #1) seems wrong, so I haven't done anything about it. Last time I went to Jiffy Lube, they told me my radiator could use flushed, but I decided to put it off for at least one more oil change. Well, now it shows that it's running cold, even when I'm driving on the freeway. Then yesterday, I'm driving down the freeway and the check engine light comes on. First time it ever has for me, and the car has 103,000 miles on it.

I took it into Checkers today and had them run a diagnostic and the P0125 code came up. The guy at the counter told me I needed a new coolant sensor or something like that (sorry, I know next to nothing about cars) but he didn't have one in stock.

Anyway, any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, all.

[Markb873]

For problem 2, P0125 only means That the coolant isn't warm enough for proper fuel control. i doubt it's the sensor because there are two sensor imputs for coolant temp, one for the dash and one for the fuel management system. It's quite unlikly that both will go at the same time. As the dash is indicating cold and the computer is too. It's most likely the thermostat. It's probably stuck open. How does the heat work?

As for problem one, when is the last time the fuel filter was changed? it sounds like the engine is starved of gas.

-Mark

[feldspar]

Originally Posted by Markb873

For problem 2, P0125 only means That the coolant isn't warm enough for proper fuel control. i doubt it's the sensor because there are two sensor imputs for coolant temp, one for the dash and one for the fuel management system. It's quite unlikly that both will go at the same time. As the dash is indicating cold and the computer is too. It's most likely the thermostat. It's probably stuck open. How does the heat work?

As for problem one, when is the last time the fuel filter was changed? it sounds like the engine is starved of gas.

-Mark

The heat works fine, same as usual.

The fuel filter was changed about 35,000 miles ago, roughly, when the fuel pump went out and was also replaced.

Had the radiator flushed out today and filled with new coolant and the light is still on, so it has to be a sensor or the thermostat.