Car won’t start I’m a college student and need to get home for the holidays

K

Kato88

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I have a 2001 Lincoln LS V8

This is a two parter
Ok well one day I was driving home from class and suddenly my lights(headlights, domelights, and dashboard etc.) went dim and I lost power in my engine. I was going very slow the car kept acting like it was going to shut off. After a terrifying 10mph drive on the highway and down a two lane street back to my apartment I finally got it parked. Then I tried to crank it up but nothing happened my dashboard instruments just went all over the place.

So I thought that my battery had drained. So I tried to boost it off but it didn’t take a charge. And I also assumed that it was my alternator giving out. So a week ago I bought a brand new battery and now my car won’t start. It would crank but it wouldn’t start. So I thought it may be a fuel problem so I replaced the fuel filter. Then I cranked it and on the second try it started!! Then I turn the key off(stupid me) and now I’m back at the same problem it will not start but will only crank.

I’ve checked the fuses, battery cables, etc and nothing gives. I did check the Schrader valve and there is no fuel coming out of it when I press it in. So if anybody has any help please give me suggestions on any of this please help me I need to get home for the holidays safely. Thanks in advance… if I need to give better information about the problem just tell me and I’ll be as specific as possible.
 
I'm sure more knowledgeable people will chime in but it could be a dead fuel pump.
When you turn the key - before it starts to crank the fuel pump should turn on and start making a whinning/sucking noise. The pump is in the back seat.
If you don't hear anything the pump may be dead. You may be able to get it to work by turning the key back the other way (to the left) and back all the way (right) (but before it starts cranking) a few times and see if the pump is working.
 
Maybe high resistance at the fuel pump.. Maybe the pump isn't even working.. Get yourself a cheap fuel pressure gauge and check to see that you have proper fuel pressure..
 
ok thanks guys i do hear a light whine from the backseat... but i don't know if its the secondary pump or if its the main fuel pump for sending gas to the engine..but there is a buzzing sound for about 5 secs...and what should the fuel pressure be when i check it
 
how far of the hwy did you travel? if not much make sure you have fuel in the tank....stupid suggestion, I know, but guess who it happened to. :rolleyes:
Long story, but it involves a mechanic :q:q:q:qing up the install of the fuel pump, car loosing power on the hwy and $300 dollars in "diagnosis" at the dealer to figure out the car had no fuel.
The mechanic who installed the pump messed up the fuel sender unit on the fuel pump. Thus throwing off the fuel gauge making it appear half full- Always.
 
No Gas---(for some reason)

From what you said---no fuel at the Schrader valve---you have a fuel delivery problem. If the pump briefly makes a whining noise when the key is first turned, the pump is trying to work. If you KNOW there is fuel in the tank, try pulling the line loose at the filter---in the driver's front wheel well behind the liner and against the firewall. Now briefly activate the pump. If you have a flow to that point, suspect the filter. Go through this sort of a stepwise exploration until you find the place that's not flowing gas. That's what you must fix! Good Luck!

KS
 
Kato88 said:
ok thanks guys i do hear a light whine from the backseat... but i don't know if its the secondary pump or if its the main fuel pump for sending gas to the engine..but there is a buzzing sound for about 5 secs...and what should the fuel pressure be when i check it
Click to expand...

The secondary fuel pump is powered by the flow of gasoline from the primary pump. If you are hearing anything, it is the primary pump.

What is your PATS light going when you attempt to start the car?
 
I traveled about 3/4 of a mile down the highway and yea i checked if i have fuel and I even put more in it. but still no start. And i will try to detect why there isn't any fuel flowing to the engine. And my PATS light isn't blinking rapidly or anything it just stays on while the car trys to crank

btw thanks for all of the fast responses
 
If your lights started to get dim out of nowhere, to me that sounds like a bad alternator.
 
your best bet would be to have it towed to the dealer and trade it in on something that actually runs. the truth sometimes sucks, but it is what it is!!
 
taurusman97 said:
your best bet would be to have it towed to the dealer and trade it in on something that actually runs. the truth sometimes sucks, but it is what it is!!
Click to expand...

Wow, another very helpful reply from you...
 
thanks for the credit!! A young dude in college, POS LS always needing repairs, spending money on repairs and not on hot ass. Not a good plan in my humble opinion, but to each his own!!!
 
taurusman97 said:
thanks for the credit!! A young dude in college, POS LS always needing repairs, spending money on repairs and not on hot ass. Not a good plan in my humble opinion, but to each his own!!!
Click to expand...

Well, when someone actually asks if that is a good idea, you will be ready with a response. Until then, it would be better to mostly stick to answering the questions that are asked.
 
read the title, he said he wants to get home for the holidays. The LS has failed him like many others on this forum. The LS is NOT going to get him home, so I gave him the best advice he will ever receive about his LS. Dump it now before he pours more money into a car that has little value. Buy something reliable, although less fun to drive, and forget about being stranded for the holidays!!
 
taurusman97 said:
read the title, he said he wants to get home for the holidays. The LS has failed him like many others on this forum. The LS is NOT going to get him home, so I gave him the best advice he will ever receive about his LS. Dump it now before he pours more money into a car that has little value. Buy something reliable, although less fun to drive, and forget about being stranded for the holidays!!
Click to expand...


How about you stop posting random spam that helps nobody.
 
it's nice to see the site has not changed at all!! He asked for help and I gave him sound advice. too bad many of the members can only see their own solution as being best. You have much to learn!!
 
No you didnt.

You simply said to have the vehicle towed....that it not of any help at all.
 
since it does not run, pushing it to the dealer would prove difficult. the root cause of his problem is the unreliability of the LS, therefore he should get something else. problem solved.
 
Its alright...some people just dont have common sense.
 
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