this has happened to me 2 summers in a row. my car won't start if i drive it more than 1 place. i can drive it to the store & back no problem, but if i make another stop, then my car won't start until i wait about 20-30min. it seems to start faster if i lift up the hood & let things cool down. there are no engine light probs. the temp guage is fine. i've had my radiator fluid drained & refilled. i've had a tune-up. can anyone help?

 

There are 2 things you need to check out before you can solve your starting problems. 1. Spark 2. Fuel
1. Spark When you have a starting problem, remove 1 of the plug wires from a plug and hold it near a ground source on the engine and watch for spark when cranking it over, If no spark, suspect the ignition module mounted on panel behind battery, or one of the other ignition related components.
2. If you have spark, check for liquid fuel in the injector rails by depressing valve on injector test port on right side of injector rail.
Caution, it will squirt fuel on the engine if it is pressurized properly. If no fuel present, check fuel pump relay, fuel pump or other fuel system related problem sources.

Dialtone

 

Listen for a whirring sound when you turn the iginition on. That's the fuel pump spinning and creating fuel pressure in the fuel rail. If you don't hear it, you probably have a bad relay. Mine did the exact same thing and it was also draining the battery. I finally isolated it down to the fuel pump relay and the $7 part from Ford has fixed it for over a year now...

 

thanks! will try it.