Car shutting off while driving

[kennycoulter]

I was lucky that I was at low speeds both times. It seemed like the spark was cutting out. Sunday, it was The first time that it did it to me, I was pulling away from a stop sign heading down hill. It shut off completely while on the road. The only place to pull off was to cross traffic into a parking lot. I parked, re-started the car. Saw no extra warning lights. The car still continued to stumble. I was messing with the gas pedal to bring the revs up, and it finally started working smooth so I headed on my way.

When it did it last night, I was pulling out of a parking spot. The car had already been running for a little bit while parked. I was backing up and it stumbled and shut off. It took longer to start (push button, which I have never experienced before: I pushed the button, let off, and the starter continued to spin to try to start the engine). The revs were still choppy after finally starting. I messed with the gas pedal some more to get it stabilized.

I tried to search this forum without luck, but I see that some focuses and escapes had similar issues.

I am not under warranty, so I will have to fix it myself, meaning taking to a dealer and let them sit on it for months is out of the question.

Related(?) links:

WHY CAN"T I COPY LINKS?!?!?!?!?!

http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/focus/2013/engine/engine_stalls_shuts_off_while_driving.shtml

 

http://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/fusion/engine-shut-off-without-warning-problems.php

 

http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/escape/2013/engine/engine_stalls_shuts_down_while_driving.shtml

 

 

[andyross]

I wonder if it's a simple fuel starvation issue. It may not show up as a warning light, although I would think low pressure would. Could be anything from clogged fuel filter or a failing pump.

[akirby]

Or a throttle body although that should throw a code.

[drolds1]

My other car exhibited these symptoms and it was bad gas (not mine )

[akirby]

Good point Artie. Did you recently fill up with gas?

[drolds1]

It was a few years ago, Allen. I don't remember if I'd recently fueled up.

 

Kenny, put in some fuel conditioner (a.k.a drygas). That's what I did and haven't had an issue since (knocks wood ). It's an inexpensive thing to try first. Make sure that the container says that it won't harm catalytic converters and/or sensors.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Always pull codes first. Not all codes will spark a CEL. Having Forscan Lite on a smartphone/tablet is invaluable for these matters, but you can have codes read at any major auto store like Advance Auto, Pep Boys, AutoZone, OReilly's etc. You might be running into a fuel starvation issue from a fuel pump or fuel pump control module failure, for example. On EB engines especially, reading codes is an invaluable diagnostic. Then there is always the fallback: TSBs related to your MY vehicle

[akirby]

Sorry Artie that question was for Kenny!

[kennycoulter]

Fill up was Wednesday November 2nd, (I drive a lot for work)
First instance of problem was Sunday November 6th,
Had to fill up with gas on Monday, November 7th (Different gas station, same octane, different brand).

I originally thought that: Maybe some water in the gas.

I had my tires balanced at a shop yesterday, and the service techs said the car shut off for them after a stumble TWICE!

I will hopefully get it scanned today. I have a scanner bought from Auto Zone. Are the ones that they use different than the one that they sell? Are the obd2 phone apps any different, considering that they can be updated more often? My friend has one for his phone.

I assumed it might be spark being pulled and had hoped to change/check the plugs this weekend.

Thanks EVERYONE for the great feedback. I will definitely try to narrow this down and report back.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Ford uses two channels to communicate: the commonly used HScan and the much less used MScan. Most of the electronic modules (including the PCM) broadcast on the HScan channel, so you should be able to read codes with the scanner you bought. When you use software, the OBD II adapter you plug into the port has to be capable of picking up both channels.

[kennycoulter]

I replaced the spark plugs. It seemed to have run a little smoother, and surprisingly seemed to respond quicker.

The car is still shutting off after driving for 15min-1 hour.... then needing to restart (usually after about 30 minute cool down). it gave me 2-3 days of not shutting off, but went right back to stalling out everyday.

My fuel pressure sensor hasn't come in the mail yet. I will report back with that.

[kennycoulter]

Wednesday, my part came in the mail..... My car shut off about 7 times that day, including when I had my son in the car and stalled in the middle of a busy intersection. THAT day, it DID finally turn the CEL on. I was able to get it scanned again, and confirm that the fuel pressure sensor threw a code.

I had to buy a 27mm deep socket to get it out and back in. So far, it seems like things are okay, but I am not seeing a change in my gas mileage.

[eGuru]

Great that you finally solved the problem, but I don't think that you can expect the fix to improve fuel economy.

[kennycoulter]

It has shut off two more times since the new part was installed.

The car no longer stumbles and slowly dies, but just completely shuts off without warning.

[eGuru]

Does it still record the same error code?

Consider that it may be intermittent power dropout to the pump due to bad wiring or connectors or a defective emergency pump shutoff switch.

Defective fuel pump is also possible.

[kennycoulter]

It doesn't throw any codes currently.

I called the dealership, but they haven't heard of the issue.

I am still searching, and really hope it isn't a full on wiring issue.

[kennycoulter]

My appointment is tomorrow, and the car has still been stalling out with today being the only exception that I know of (might have sat long enough for it to do so.)
I will update with any findings.

[kennycoulter]

WHY CAN'T WE POST LINKS OR EVEN COPY AND PASTE?!?!?!?!




This makes things so difficult.


Is this problem related to the throttle body recall of the previous generation?
There are some videos from a FordTechMakuloco on Youtube.

[akirby]

Works fine for me.

 

https://www.ncconsumer.org/news-articles/ford-issues-extended-warranty-to-cover-throttle-body-assemblies.html

 

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

I think links are not allowed to be in the first line of text. 2nd line or after you are good to go.

[akirby]

http://www.fordfusionforum.com/topic/16355-car-shutting-off-while-driving/?do=findComment&comment=96776

[akirby]

Nope - first line works fine.

[drolds1]

Works fine for me too.

[kennycoulter]

Maybe I haven't been a member for long enough to post links?



Okay: from the dealership:

They said the throttle recall does not apply to our newer vehicles. As the video suggests, the later models supposedly fixed this.

I have read elsewhere that there is a HIGH and LOW pressure sensor. The only thing that I can find in a search is the one that screws into the head on the passenger side (I changed this). They said the "other one" hasn't been changed (dirty) and when testing, is reading at a "default" setting.... meaning it has a "safe" fail mode.

The only other pressure sensor that I am finding is CM5226. It may be built into the fuel line itself.

I do not know if this is actually different or correct.

[zip89105]

You've been at this for more than a month. While I agree DIY maintenance is cheaper, you've gone through a lot of time & money. Stalling can get you killed, and when I experienced a similar issue with a Chevrolet years ago I traded it in. Why not give the dealer a shot at the repair? If it was mine it would either be at the dealer or a Toyota used car lot.