2003 Mountaineer, 4.6L V-8.

Drove it about 2.5 miles and stopped at light. Died and wouldn't start. Spins awesome. Just no go. Pushed over to the side and about 15-20 minutes later it fires up. Just before AAA shows up.

Nothing for 3 months after checking relays, etc. and all good.

Drove to same intersection on Monday and parked at Kroger. Too long of a line so start to leave, but no start again. Spins, etc. Again, after about 15 minutes I try again and it starts and runs fine and I took it home.

Is there an ignition module still or is it all PCM type of controls for ignition?

Thoughts?

Thanks guys.

Griz

 

The ignition is controlled by the PCM directly, no ignition module per se.

Without knowing whether you are missing fuel or spark, it's going to be tough to give you a very good answer. The two items that first come to mind are the crankshaft position sensor and the fuel pump, but again, to start much of a diagnosis you'll need to determine if you don't have fuel or don't have spark when this happens.

-Rod

 

Thought it might be a PCM type of setup in there.

I have swapped out the CPS once before (3-4 yrs) when trying to locate an issue. Nice location under the ac compressor there.

I haven't been fortunate enough for it to fail when I have someone with me to turn it on and check for the fuel pump pressuring up when it occurs.
Turning on the key starts the bells/chiming and I cannot hear it running.

I'm going to try to see if I can hear it tonight, since it is working, when I turn on the key and maybe I can tell if it is loud enough to hear by myself.

Fuel pump wise, would I see a drop in pressure overall as an indicator or is this a works/doesn't type of thing? Fuel pumps are not fun.

I'd rather do the CPS again. LOL..

Thanks Rod..

Griz

 

The CPS would be the Camshaft Position Sensor. The Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) is located near the harmonic balancer lower on the engine. The CPS probably wouldn't cause stalling and a no-start, but the CKP would.

If the fuel pump is weak you probably would notice a drop in overall fuel pressure. But if you have a fuel pressure gauge, installing the gauge and turning the key to the Run position would pressurize the system, so that should not require a second person at the time of issue since the pressure would not bleed off immediately. You probably could also position the gauge with the open hood such that you could read it from the driver's seat. If you already have a gauge, that would be the place I'd start, although driving around smelling fuel inside the car would not be pleasant for long (from carrying around the gauge and tubing).

-Rod

 

The CPS abbreviation was mine as too lazy to type it all out. But, the CKP is what I had replaced once before behind the AC compressor.

What is odd is it died/no starting at exactly the same spot 2.5 miles from the pad, but 3 months or so and 5000 miles apart.

No codes thrown either, so that helps too.. LOL..

Carrying around a gauge/tubing etc to check it the next time it dies is sound. Hopefully it won't be 3 months again.


Griz