97 Town Car intermittant -Fuel pump fails to energize on start-up after short drives

[AMENTV]

My Town Car runs damn near perfect but this problem has me very upset and stumped. Usually, I can hear the fuel pump spin-up before starting out to go shopping, but when I go to return home, it may spin-up but then stall's out. Then it won't spin-up again at all for HOURS. Last night, she stranded me for the first time ever. I had to leave the car parked in the Safeway overnight bc of this problem. This morning, she started up just fine-fuel pump energized and I drove home. About a year ago, it was doing this, and I thought I had it solved by reseating the 3-relay FP, PT, A/C under the hood. Also, I changed the spark plugs (probably not related) but she seemed to run PERFECT for months, but NOW, it's happening again. Could it be the Theft circuit somehow? idk- very frustrating. Afraid to go anywhere now for fear of being stranded again.

I have all the factory shop manuals, but can't figure out where the problem may be. Hope someone has seen this before. Do not want to go to dealer, bc you know they will want to replace the FP, etc. etc. (I don't have enough blood to give at my age-65). I don't think the Fuel pump is the problem. I'm guessing it's some cables that need re-seating/ cleaning, but which ones?

I LOVE THIS CAR. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

 

[TownCars1]

I would start by going to an autozone or equivalent for a free check for any codes first.

I would also get a hold of the shop manual to find out everything that makes up the fuel pump system, so you really know how it works and where everything is located. You can buy used shop manuals cheap on eBay and then resell them when you sell the car. An old car like that is going to have more problems, so you'll need them.

Whatever you need to do, I wouldn't ever take an old car like that to a dealer. They are trained ripoff artists. Find a good independent. It also helps to have your own set of manuals to leave in the car for independent shops so they aren't guessing.

 

[wa9zug]

It sounds as though you should replace the FP relay. I replaced ALL the relays because they are cheap. I had the exact same problem. This (95-97) batch of Townies have this problem.

 

[step66]

Guess what? You need a fuel pump! If you have swapped out the relays in the cluster(they are all identical) and you still have a no-start,its the pump! No need for pressure tests etc as your fuel pump is done! Make sure to buy quality and replace the strainer and the filter at this time. This is a fairly easy driveway job,given you have tools and equipment to raise the unit safely!

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[AMENTV]

Is there any way to replace the fuel pump without dropping the tank completely? At the end of my rope here. She finally died completely now. It used to start after sitting for a few hours or even overnight but now, even tho' I can hear a little tiny spin sound from the fuel pump at first with key on, there is no gas getting to the rail. I did replace the fuel filter, Pressure Regulator and even put Sea Foam in the tank. It ran great for a few days, but now -kaput! Gotta be the fuel pump is just too weak bc I don't see how there could be that much clogging in a new fuel filter to block any fuel from reaching it, although I have heard it said that NEW means "never, ever, worked", so I guess anything is possible. Sea Foam did it's job too well and now the lines are clogged???? maybe????

 

[step66]

You don't have "clogged lines",you need a fuel pump. Seafoam has many fans,I am not but I will agree that it works well for certain issues! I use Marvel oil in my fuel. One must drop the tank to access the pump-no exceptions.Dependent on where you live,fuel line issues may be a contibuting factor which will only become evident after dropping the tank.

 

[AMENTV]

okay, step66. Found a trusted place that will install the unit I provide for $248 and I guess that is a pretty good price compared to dealership! Ordering from RockAuto today. This afternoon with my boroscope I was assessing whether or not I could get at it, but sure enough there is no way to get that out without dropping the tank. The exhaust pipe and the chassis are in the way. Why do they design things like that? Darn it. Oh well, this car deserves a brand new pump after 4 years of zero problems. Thanks a million for taking the time to advise me. Fingers crossed that this will solve the problem.

 

[AMENTV]

all done! car runs perfect again. Thanks so much for your insight, step66. I just couldn't grasp that the fuel pump was intermittent like that, until it would not start at all for several days. Of course, they had to find something else wrong that was a "must fix" according to them, but what else is new. It's predictable, it's what repair shops do to get extra work. The claim was a rusty brake line that was leaking, up under where the fuel tank sits so unless it was replaced then and there, the fuel tank would have to come out again to replace it. I have to say, I doubt it, bc the care had not used a drop of brake fluid but I let them soak me for and extra $200 to replace it. sigh! whatever

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