98 Crown Vic Won't Sart
 

My wife's 98 CV fully loaded, digital dash etc. won't start at times. This happens at random. It has only happened once with a cold engine. The engine WILL turn and sound like it wants to start and sometimes even run at a very low RPM (200) for about 3-4 seconds, then quit. It sounds to me like fuel delivery since it does "putter" for a few seconds. I have replaced the fuel pump relay and checked the enertia switch. When the engine does eventually start, it runs as if nothing is wrong, nice and smooth, no miss, no fuss and never stalls while driving. It has done this maybe 6-8 times over that past 2 years but it's been 3 times in the past month. And this last time, it let me set for about an hour (never longer that 10 minutes previously before it would start).
I have heard suggestions that the fuel pump may be on its' way out or it has a "flat" spot in it like a starter does sometimes and won't spin. But' I want to kind of make sure it's not just a sensor or part of the factory anti-theft system that shuts down the fuel system. Thanks for any suggestions. :confused:

Will it start if you give it a little gas? If it does, look at the Idle Speed Control motor.

Nope, tried that. Pressing on the pedel has NO effect whatsoever. :mad:

If you give it a short shot of ether will it fire on the prime?

Never tried that. but, I have a feeling it would run. Like I said, it will "putter" then quit after 3-4 seconds. So, based on that, I feel it's getting spark but not enough fuel.

If any of the above don't answer the concern, connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel rail and leave it there to observe the reading at the time it refuses to start. That should tell you one way or another if the pump is performing as required.

sounds like a fuel pressure problem I would start there

The one thing that nobody has mentioned as of yet is Have you changed the fuel filter yet?

Just an update. It's been trouble-free since my FIRST post. Go figure!!!

P.S. I don't think it's the fuel filter because it runs fine otherwise once it starts.

Thanks for everyones suggestions though.