2003 Marauder has mysterious flat spot

[Aeroman]

I own a 2003 Marauder with 28,000 miles on it. It has developed a flat spot on acceleration, first thing in the morning. First couple of times the dealer could not duplicate the problem. Last time I took it in they kept it over night and the next morning, upon starting, duplicated the problem. The problem was: upon acceleration first thing in the morning, the car would almost die, I had to feather the gas to keep it going.

Latest report: Dealer has had the car for a week and a half and has replaced the fuel pump, 02 sensor, 8 spark plugs (2 were busted internally) and about 4 other parts. Ford Hotline has been lit up for days back and forth about this problem. Supposedly I have the only Marauder with this problem. They now have a complete new computer system on order from vendor to replace. The Marauder computer is a specially built computer and the Grand Marquis computer will not work. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Dealer's been great with a loaner car, etc.
Thanks,

[Dr Caleb]

Like this?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2282&highlight=hesitation+accelerat ion
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5410&highlight=hesitation+accelerat ion

or this?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3687&highlight=hesitation+accelerat ion

[67435animal]

I own a 2003 Marauder with 28,000 miles on it. It has developed a flat spot on acceleration, first thing in the morning. First couple of times the dealer could not duplicate the problem. Last time I took it in they kept it over night and the next morning, upon starting, duplicated the problem. The problem was: upon acceleration first thing in the morning, the car would almost die, I had to feather the gas to keep it going.

Latest report: Dealer has had the car for a week and a half and has replaced the fuel pump, 02 sensor, 8 spark plugs (2 were busted internally) and about 4 other parts. Ford Hotline has been lit up for days back and forth about this problem. Supposedly I have the only Marauder with this problem. They now have a complete new computer system on order from vendor to replace. The Marauder computer is a specially built computer and the Grand Marquis computer will not work. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Dealer's been great with a loaner car, etc.
Thanks,

I think there is a reflash of the PCM that fixes this problem. Your dealer sounds like he prefers to throw parts at things. If you prefer, you could get your car dyno tuned and reprogram it with a custom tune.

Bob

[QWK SVT]

I think there is a reflash of the PCM that fixes this problem. Your dealer sounds like he prefers to throw parts at things. If you prefer, you could get your car dyno tuned and reprogram it with a custom tune.

Bob
Shhh! Pretty soon, they'll have replaced so much it'll be like having a new car, all over again ;)

[Thomas C Potter]

Likely useless info her, but my 2003 B 'stumbles' in the cool mornings, only for about 30 seconds, OK in cold or warm am's. I have the original programming. I believe others had/have similar traits.

[vegasmarauder]

Ok, I had the same problem with my 300B when it was brand new. It only will do it for the 30 seconds or so, and then it's fine, and only if the engine was completely cooled down overnight. It is posted elsewhere in here, but you are looking for SSM (Special Service Message) 16428. It advised for a PCM reflash to fix the problem. The SSM shows listed for a 2002 MM (it's a typo by FORD) but it really is the 2003. My PCM code (white tag on driver's door post next to windshield) is CRD0, so I don't know if it affects others. Now I just checked with my service guy since I wanted to have the other 300B done and he couldn't pull up the SSM anymore. So I don't know if it was deleted (which is unusual) or what. Anyway, they put a reporgraming tag under the hood which has part # 3W3A-12A650-CB on it as the part number of the reprogram. Maybe with these numbers your service guy can track it down. The factory reflash seemed to give it a little more power too. Hope this helps.

[jstevens]

Save yourself a lot of trouble and put a chip in or tuner.

[Marauderman]

I must assume here that everyone is taking about the MM AFTER it has warmed up to operationg temp....cause --it MUST before giving it any go gas........it's different cars througout the whole event if not..........so ---they are warmed up......right....?