Questions and Answers

Ford Probe Starts And Dies Q. I have a 1992 Ford Probe LX,V6 3.0 engine. When my engine is cold the engine seems to surge, but once it warm's up, the car is fine. It also shut off on me a couple of time's when I first started it. The engine would run for three seconds and then die. What could be the problem? Fabian

A. It could be a bad fuel pump check valve. This check valve is supposed to maintain fuel pressure so when you restart it after an extended shut off period, a day or two at least, it will start easier.

To test this, in the morning turn the key to the ON position for five seconds then off. Do this four or five times then try to start it. If it starts and runs, then you know you're losing fuel pressure. Most likely due to a bad fuel pump check valve. Some father testing should be done because a bad fuel pressure regulator of leaky injector can do the same thing. A fuel pressure test needs to be done to isolate the exact cause.

If it still shuts off and it does it at three seconds, you probably have an electrical problem in the fuel pump control system. Possibly a bad PCM also.