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1995 Mercury Sable

Question: Engine suddenly dies no warning.

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threed, 3.8L V6, Tacoma, WA, April 08, 2009, 18:11

Rookie

Approximately 20 minutes after running (sometimes), engine will just quit, check engine light comes on, tach stops, alt light. Engine will turn over but not start. Wait a couple of minutes sometimes will restart, once had to partial throttle and started. One time while under power let off throttle lights came on, pressed the throttle again imediately and engine came back on. Usually this happens after the drive to / from work (no freeway) 45mph or less and then let off the throttle to idle. No spit sputter or nothing just flat die. Tried to run with gas cap loose, worse. I have replaced fuel pump & screen, fuel filter, and just this weekend, heater hose sprung a leak. No overheat, passed emission test in single digits, better than a new car. Any ideas? No check engine light codes that I can see?

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Answer #1

Bret Bodas from RepairPal Test Shop, June 30, 2009, 12:05

Master

Did you ever find out what was causing the stalling problem?

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threed, June 30, 2009, 17:09

Rookie

After changing half of the ignition out I found a tester device that anyone can plug in and read the codes. The code told me that it was in the ignition management. Changing the ignition control manual in the dash didn't change anything and the last thing was in the distributor. I changed that module by pulling the distributor and had to remove the drive gear to pull the shaft to change a $20 part $200 later and was the hardest to change. That worked fine but now I have an intermitent code 33 on the air bag light. Go figure! Car now runs great but air bag may or may not deploy.

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