91 towncar trouble

[Joe Bloggs]

I just picked up a towncar and its giving me trouble. it acts like its getting no fuel. I put in a new filter and flushed the fuel system but it made no difference. it will idle fine but has no power under load
where is the computer plug in on this car. thanks

[junk yard doggie]

Try cleaning the egr passages under that big air intake elbow on the intake manifold. They will fill up and clog with carbon over time. Do you mean the diagnostic port for the computer?

[Joe Bloggs]

Originally Posted by junk yard doggie

Do you mean the diagnostic port for the computer?

yes

[junk yard doggie]

Under the hood, drivers side. The loose connector by the power steering fluid box. It might still have the protective cap over it. It will be labeled. There is also one on the opposite side for the abs system.

[Joe Bloggs]

Originally Posted by junk yard doggie

Under the hood, drivers side. The loose connector by the power steering fluid box. It might still have the protective cap over it. It will be labeled. There is also one on the opposite side for the abs system.

thank you

[Joe Bloggs]

is there an adapter that will make that diagnostic port work with an odb2 scanner I have an innova 3100

[junk yard doggie]

My scanner comes with a bunch of the different cables. It will scan obd1 and obd 2. I don't know if you can get just the adapter for yours, try contacting the manufacturer.

[Joe Bloggs]

I got one of those $25 code readers from the auto parts store and the codes are 116 and 40
there is no code 40 in the book I have

I took it for a highway drive and it ran fine for a few miles then it just lost power and started chugging. I pulled over and the engine was barely running
when I pluged the code reader in it showed 6 cylinders but did not find any fault codes.
I turned the engine off and restarted it and it ran fine do I drobe about 1 mile and it started chugging again. I pulled over and done a diagnostic check and got the codes 136 172 and 176.
what I did notice was the engine runs fine with the code reader hooked up but as soon as I take it off the engine runs bad again. I got it home again and I hope some one can help me get this car going

some back ground on the car
its got 88600 on the odometer
it sat for 4 years in a garage before I got it.
it did 130 miles before this problem came up.
I flushed the fuel system and put on a new filter. I did not do the injectors. it has a new air filter
I have not done the spark plugs.

[Kitt1993]

Hello,

136 means MAF or Oxygen Sensor not switching/system lean left or front HO2S - Fuel Control.
This code also appears when the Cats are going bad. Do you have a rotten egg smell from the exhaust?

172, and 176 means that HEGO sensor indicates lean bank 1 and 2.

Try this, clean the MAF, clean under the snorkel like Mike said on the back of the intake. and Check your wires going to the O2 Sensors under the car. Maybe a rat got to them or something. Sounds like when the car goes to Open loop is when your having the trouble. And the problem with it not going to Open Loop is... You guessed it, no power...

[Joe Bloggs]

I was at the auto parts store and the guy there said it could be a weak fuel pump.he said that the injectors wont fire with out enough pressure.

I have the air box /plastic intake off and it was all clean. I am going to pull the spark plugs and have a look.

I have checked the wires from the 02 sensors and cleaned the MAF. I found some crud buildup on the red sensor in the airfilter box and cleaned it with brakeclean

[Kitt1993]

What about the MAF? Did you clean it?

[Joe Bloggs]

I cleaned everything and put it back together.
now I have no pressure at the fuel rail.
the fuel pump comes on when the key is turned and pumps up but there is nothing at the rail ....so ???

I took the filter out and turned on the key and the pump did not come on
I hooked up the code reader and it did its hardware test and the pump came on when it was tested.
so the pump works but its not getting asked to work. why?

[junk yard doggie]

Try swapping the fuel pump relay, it's on the drivers side inner fender that bank of 3 relays.

[Joe Bloggs]

Originally Posted by junk yard doggie

Try swapping the fuel pump relay, it's on the drivers side inner fender that bank of 3 relays.

tried that.
this ordeal is turning a good deal into a money pit

where is the PCM or the engine computer

[Kitt1993]

Joe, I had a no start problem with my Town car a while back. The wires going to that relay bock Mike talked about, they get moved around over time. I had to start my car and wiggle that whole mess of wires to get it to start, and then it would shut off intermittently. Also, if you are not getting pressure to the rail with the filter on, There's got to be a clog in the line or the fuel pressure regulator. remember that the pump runs on pulse. You would have to cycle the key in order to keep it pumping. I would have someone try to start the car with the fuel filter off, and if you don't hear the pump coming on and staying on or see fuel, smack the bottom of the tank and see if that clears it up. Might be the bushings inside the pump. They get flat spots after time and use.