Urgent - Stalling

[MH Ariola]

After a 286 mi ride with the a/c on, could not start vehicle but after 1 hr, started ok; dealer could not replicate. Then, this past w/e, with heat on, vehicle died and after waiting 5 minutes started no problem. Am concerned if this happens on the highway. Any ideas as to what could be causing this? Also, does anyone know of a mechanic with Sport Trac 2002 experience in Suffolk County NY?

 

[Yardsale]

Can you provide more info? Like, did it sputter or just die? Coasting, accelerating or decelerating? Braking? Any services performed recently? Nesting varmints?



A sputter may be fuel related; a drop-dead could be ignition or electrical. Could be both - electrical problem causing a fuel delivery problem.

 

[Dean Hedin]

This sounds like what happen to mine when the fuel pump started to fail.



It never happened while the truck was moving.



It just wouldn't start, then after a while it would start again. Sometimes it was after a half hour, other times it was overnight.



Mine failed at around 60k. Mechanic indicated replacement would be an improvement over original because it could better handle the ethanol in the gas. I'm now at a 100k and knocking on wood.



You shouldn't need a specialist to change the fuel pump. But they will have to drop the tank.



You should probably pull OBD codes to make sure it is not something else.

 

[EddieS'04]

A nieghbors son's f150 did this. The fuel pump relay was failing. We swaped one of the relays and it stoped stalling. So he replaced the relay, all was good. Just an idea.

I suspect the coil in the relay was getting hot and droping out, until cool down.

 

[Vic Sorlie]

How long since fuel filter was changed? If there's a lot of sediment in the fuel line that could plug the filter after running for a while; then after engine's off the sediment settles, clearing the filter for a normal start. Quick $15 DIY fix if you're familiar. If you don't want to do it a fast lube shop should charge about $50. And you don't need a mechanic with ST experience either - there's nothing special about these cars. You need a decent shop that knows how to troubleshoot OBD. Did dealer you went to scan for codes?

 

[Scott Tanner]

My 2002 did that because of the fuel pump... It would stop on a bad part of the windings in the pump motor and not start.

 

[Richard L]

I agree with the others...the fuel pump on early Gen-1 Sport Tracs has been a known problem and causes intermittent problems. Some pumps leak and loose pressure and others just act goofy causing stalling and rough-running one minute and the run fine the next.



Another thing to check is the steering column wiring for sufficient slack to allow tilting the steering wheel without stressing the wires. This problem can effect anything and everything that has wiring through the steering column....that includes, ignition, starter, turn signals, horn, wipers, cruise control and even your tail lights.



My 2001 had both problems. Within the first month I had problems with the fuel pump leaking pressure and after sitting overnight would not start on the first attempt. Dealer replaced the pump and everything was fine for several years. Then i experienced intermittent starting problems...one minute it would not start for my wife, and I would come home and it would start right up? Finally it failed while my wife was visiting her sister in Louisiana and she had the Sport Trac towed to the local Ford Dealer....They were stump for most of the day until one tech remembered the issue with the tilting steering column wiring. He found the connectors has pulled loose. Plugged them back in and put a little slack in the wiring harness and I never had the problem again.



...Rich

 

[MH Ariola]

What happened the first time was that I turned off the engine, did a short errand, came back & the vehicle would start but sputter and no amount of pumping the gas pedal could get it to stay running. After waiting for AAA to show up - I thought it was the battery - lo and behold, the dang thing started, no sputtering at all. Then this past weekend, I'm driving along and it quietly died while in motion; I coasted over to the side of the road and again, turning the key got it to momentarily turnover but I couldn't get it to continue to run. Waited a few minutes and it started, no problem(?!). This is a 2nd gen 2002; never had this problem before and the dealer wasn't able to replicate. Seems to happen when the a/c or the heater is in use.