Hard start/Barely start
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New User
Joined: Sep 2019
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Hard start/Barely start
I’ve got a problem I cannot figure out... 1990 F-250 XL Lariat, 460, 2-wheel
New starter, 2017 battery, new plugs and cables... once it starts it runs great, but it doesn’t want to always start. I get maybe a few good starts out of it, but if I run it for longer than 20-30 minutes the check engine light comes on, it “smells hot,” and will NOT start again if I shut it off. It acts like it won’t even turn over is how bad it won’t start... like the battery is almost dead.
I tried getting the code, but I can’t make sense of the blinks it gives me... not just a set of 3 numbers once, but multiple sets of 3 numbers and I can’t seem to find any codes on them.
I once found a code having something to do with the exhaust sensor? It’s been a problem for the two years I’ve had it but it’s much much worse now. It always started before, but now it acts like it doesn’t want to.
Any ideas? I’m a home mechanic so, YouTube and Forums are my best bet, but I can manage. I appreciate any thoughts or help you can give.
New starter, 2017 battery, new plugs and cables... once it starts it runs great, but it doesn’t want to always start. I get maybe a few good starts out of it, but if I run it for longer than 20-30 minutes the check engine light comes on, it “smells hot,” and will NOT start again if I shut it off. It acts like it won’t even turn over is how bad it won’t start... like the battery is almost dead.
I tried getting the code, but I can’t make sense of the blinks it gives me... not just a set of 3 numbers once, but multiple sets of 3 numbers and I can’t seem to find any codes on them.
I once found a code having something to do with the exhaust sensor? It’s been a problem for the two years I’ve had it but it’s much much worse now. It always started before, but now it acts like it doesn’t want to.
Any ideas? I’m a home mechanic so, YouTube and Forums are my best bet, but I can manage. I appreciate any thoughts or help you can give.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,968
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
First thing to do is, when it is hot and won't start, pull the coil wire off the distributor and then see if it will turn over faster. If so, your timing is too far advanced.
If not, it sounds like you need a good mechanical temp gauge to see if it is overheating and your existing gauge is not telling you so.
When you say the "check engine" light is coming on, is the light yellow? Or red? Does it say "check engine"? Or just "engine"?
If not, it sounds like you need a good mechanical temp gauge to see if it is overheating and your existing gauge is not telling you so.
When you say the "check engine" light is coming on, is the light yellow? Or red? Does it say "check engine"? Or just "engine"?
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2019
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The light says, “check engine,” and is yellow/orange in color... typical check engine light. Comes on every time I drive it longer than 20min. Engine sounds good... not issues there, but this starting thing is crazy. I’ll try what you already said to try.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 152
Likes: 7
"Smells hot" is not a good enough measurement. Get yourself an IR thermometer and MEASURE how hot it actually gets. Check for the thermostat opening and at what temp.
Baseline your vehicle. Check EVERY fluid (and in your case particularly the coolant).
Test the battery with an actual LOAD tester.
If you cannot figure out the code flash sequence then spend a few buck for an EEC-IV code reader.
TG
Baseline your vehicle. Check EVERY fluid (and in your case particularly the coolant).
Test the battery with an actual LOAD tester.
If you cannot figure out the code flash sequence then spend a few buck for an EEC-IV code reader.
TG
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 735
Likes: 8
From: NC
spend the 20 bucks or so and get an OBD1 code reader. Innova makes one for Fords and it comes with a book that lists all the codes in it. Stabbing wildly in the dark without knowing what is the issue will give you more fits than you are having already.
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Heifner
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jun 21, 2013 07:35 AM
