1988 5000S Problems

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Apr 10, 2001 | 05:07 AM

LoveToDrive

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1988 5000S Problems

We bought this car new and I have driven it over 150,000 miles. Yesterday, I drove the car 45 miles, parked it; no problems. Five hours later, I started the car, drove 42 miles, stopped at a red light and the car shut off. I turned the a/c and radio off, re-started the car and proceeded through the light. The car shut off again. This happened MULTIPLE times. Each time the car would start up but it took longer and longer each time. The engine turned strong (never any indication that the battery was dying, too), the heat/temp gauge never passed midway, gas tank 3/4 full but the tach would jump from 800 rpms to 3000rpms. Last night the car started fine, idled in our driveway for five minutes or so but I am afraid to drive it. Any ideas, anyone? Please.

Apr 10, 2001 | 06:06 AM

SteveAngry

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Changed the fuel pump/fuel relay/fuel filter lately?

Whats been done to the car maintainence wise lately? Plugs/wires/rotor/cap/etc?

Heres some other possible culprits(guesses):
differential pressure outside of tolerance
unequal fuel dispersion
idle setting/O2 sensor
pressure regulator diaphragm defective
fuel filter clogged
fuel pump going out
fuel relay/bad contact
****ty gas

HTH
Steve Ankney
88 5000
Holland, Michigan

Apr 10, 2001 | 09:16 AM

Evilclown

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Do the fuel filter first, and run some techron through it.

Apr 11, 2001 | 08:38 AM

®ob

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A dirty filter isn't going to make his car stall out like that

Especially since it was running alright before.
I'd check the FP relay

Apr 11, 2001 | 09:49 PM

Evilclown

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Good point.

Apr 12, 2001 | 10:14 AM

Stephen Clark

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Re: 1988 5000S Problems

I had a similar mysterious stalling problem with my car..turned out to be the fuel pump. Took forever to diagnose the problem; including leaving it with my mechanic to drive for a week.

Of course, it never failed for him.

Finally got so bad that it was no doubt the fuel pump. If yours has never been changed in 150K miles, it is likely the culprit.

Stephen Clark
89 100
Houston, Tx

Apr 15, 2001 | 05:42 PM

LoveToDrive

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Fuel Pump Relay Location?????88 5000S

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my dilemna! In checking my file, the fuel pump was replaced roughly 9.000 miles ago. So, we replaced the fuel filter, the O2 sensor, bought the Techron BUT...can't find the fuel pump relay. The Haynes manual has proven useless. 1988 5000S-Fuel Pump Relay location? Note: The car only did this after it was thoroughly warm, driven 45 minutes. Short trips around town-no problems. Again, thanks!