I have been having some hard starts lately. This morning being the worst. It took about ten minutes to finally kick over!! I hear the fuel pump which was replaced in April with new one from Ford, battery terminals are clean did that last week, but it just cranks and cranks and cranks but doesn't turn over. Starter? Any ideas? No smell of gas like it is flooding or anything? Maybe something blocking the fuel line?

 

i'm confused here you say it cranks but dosent turn over, it cant do both, the engine either turns or it dosent, when you turn the key does the engine spin but dont fire up? or does the engine not turn at all? Thnx DW

 

i would start by replacing your fuel filter located on the frame rail below the drivers side. if that doesnt help it might be time for a tune up. new plugs, wires cap and rotor. how many miles are on the motor

 

I'm confused also........... could it be the starter bendix cranking. . . but not turning the engine

 

It cranks but doesn't fire!!!! Starter is engaging and the problem might be in the firing system or fuel.

 

Pull a spark plug and see if you have fire at the plug, if not check the module on the distributor, it should be the rectangular looking peice bolted to the dist. housing with the wires connected to it, most auto parts stores can and will test it for free. hope this helps, keep us posted and we'll go from there. DW

 

After changing cap and rotor still having problems. I decided to buy a replacement cap, rotor and wires all Ford racing parts from Summit Racing. Wehn I went to change them out tonight I pulled all the plug wires first, I had already attached wires to cap to make it easier to route the wires. Everything was fine and all wires hooked up then the last thing I did was pull the coil wire from the coil and hopefully discovered my problem. The coil was corroded pretty bad when I pulled it off d white dust popped out of boot and the whole end was covered with it. Hit it with some fine sand paper and coated with dielectric silicon grease. I am keping my fingers crossed and will find out in the morning if it is fixed now.

 

Not fixed. Still wouldn't start today. Once it did the engine would run 5 seconds then shut off. Finally running ok start to drive to work and it cut off on me. First time that has happened, started it drove towork and had wife pick up fuel pump relay from Ford which was only $5 so I will try to see if it starts tonight when I get off. If it doesn't I will swap in new relay and see what happens tomorrow. This is my last try at it. Tuesday it will go in the shop and pay someone else to solve this headache.

 

Just a shot in the dark but if you take the TFI modual off of the distr. pepboys, advance, autozone, oreillys whill test it for free. DW

 

Might try that in the morning beccause no luck changing Fuel pump relay and eec relay. Wouldn't start after work. When to AZ had them pull codes which were P300 and P320 which they said could be camshaft sensor. I figured that is probably not the case since the #5 wire came loose on the way home last night. I have never had the CEL kick on from the no start situation. I reset the codes and will see if something shows tomorrow.

 

My engine would not start a few weeks ago. Turned out my cap had moisture from the engine wash I did a few days ago.

John
96 XLT - 4"w/35s

 

Replaced the cap so I don't think that is it. Yesterday it started first try this morning 40 minutes until it finally fired.

 

When you first the key on do you here the fuel pump come on and go off ? have you checked the TFI modual that i told you bout? DW

 

Haven't had TFI module checked and yes the fuel pump whirrs each time the key is turned it was replaced in April with a new pump from Ford. Where is the Camshaft Position Sensor? Can't find it in the Haynes? Also, do I have to pull the distributor to get the TFI off?

 

you shouldnt have to pull the distributor, but it does take a special little bit to get the screws out, you can get one at most parts stores dont mean to sound stupid but i didnt know there was a cam sensor.. ? DW