89 Aerostar starting problem
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89 Aerostar starting problem
Hello all fellow aerostar drivers,
I have a starting problem that i hope someone might have experience with.
- 1989 Ford Aerostar Eddie Bauer Edition
On a cold morning after the van has been sitting outside over night the engine will not turn.
On first attempt, i would turn the key on the ignition and i will hear the starter motor but the engine will not turn or it will kind of turn but sputter and die.
When i go for a second try it will now crank abit more and start to turn while i apply some gas.
Usually the engine will be running upon the second or third try.
This only happens in the morning and the rest of the day the engine will start up on the spot.
I took it to a mechanic and they could determine what was the problem so he just cleaned out my throttle.
THe alternator has been replaced recently and the spark plugs are relatively new.
I've read in some other posts that one problem could be the negative wire to the battery?
Anyone have some suggestions or experience with this problem.
thanks in advance
I have a starting problem that i hope someone might have experience with.
- 1989 Ford Aerostar Eddie Bauer Edition
On a cold morning after the van has been sitting outside over night the engine will not turn.
On first attempt, i would turn the key on the ignition and i will hear the starter motor but the engine will not turn or it will kind of turn but sputter and die.
When i go for a second try it will now crank abit more and start to turn while i apply some gas.
Usually the engine will be running upon the second or third try.
This only happens in the morning and the rest of the day the engine will start up on the spot.
I took it to a mechanic and they could determine what was the problem so he just cleaned out my throttle.
THe alternator has been replaced recently and the spark plugs are relatively new.
I've read in some other posts that one problem could be the negative wire to the battery?
Anyone have some suggestions or experience with this problem.
thanks in advance
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
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From: Dallas, Texas
Sounds like a battery going bad.
Check voltage at the battery post in the morning and see what it is. Mine is always around 12.5, After it starts it will read 13.8 at idle.
If it reads close to 10.0~11.00 volts you have a bad cell. Also don't over look cleaning the post and inside the cable clamps.
Check voltage at the battery post in the morning and see what it is. Mine is always around 12.5, After it starts it will read 13.8 at idle.
If it reads close to 10.0~11.00 volts you have a bad cell. Also don't over look cleaning the post and inside the cable clamps.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx. 78418
Just a thought and it wouldn't cause a cranking problem, but hard starting in the morning could be related to a fuel pressure problem. You might check the fuel pressure regulator with a pressure guage. Check both the pressure while the fuel pump is running and how long the fuel rail remains pressurized after the pump stops. If pressure drops off immediately, you have a bad regulator.
If your regulator is bad, check your oil to see if it has been contaminated with gas. The fuel pressure regulator is actuated by vacuum and if the diaphram is broken it can allow fuel to be sucked into the vacuum line thus contaminating the oil. Recently had mine go bad and had to replace the regulator, oil and oil filter. Contaminated oil can cause the engine to run rough and cause the O2 sensor to send a faulty reading to the EEC system resulting in bad milage.
Just a thought.
Ron
If your regulator is bad, check your oil to see if it has been contaminated with gas. The fuel pressure regulator is actuated by vacuum and if the diaphram is broken it can allow fuel to be sucked into the vacuum line thus contaminating the oil. Recently had mine go bad and had to replace the regulator, oil and oil filter. Contaminated oil can cause the engine to run rough and cause the O2 sensor to send a faulty reading to the EEC system resulting in bad milage.
Just a thought.
Ron
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Update -
I cleaned the terminals and clamps about two weeks ago, there is already some deposits on the negative terminal only.
I couldn't get aholdof a voltage meter but when i look at at my battery, there is an indicator on the top which is red. Red meaning check recharge.
Could this mean the alternator is not charging properly or the battery needs to be recharged or replaced.
This morning i did a cold start and had someone standing next to engine watching, the same thing happened, here only the starter motor the first time. Second time feel the engine turning. The person said that he'd never seen an engine vibrate so much.
the third time, applyed some gas an finally the engine started running smoothly.
going to take it to garage tomrrow night.
I cleaned the terminals and clamps about two weeks ago, there is already some deposits on the negative terminal only.
I couldn't get aholdof a voltage meter but when i look at at my battery, there is an indicator on the top which is red. Red meaning check recharge.
Could this mean the alternator is not charging properly or the battery needs to be recharged or replaced.
This morning i did a cold start and had someone standing next to engine watching, the same thing happened, here only the starter motor the first time. Second time feel the engine turning. The person said that he'd never seen an engine vibrate so much.
the third time, applyed some gas an finally the engine started running smoothly.
going to take it to garage tomrrow night.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
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From: Southern California
I bought a digital voltmeter from Harborfreight a few months ago for about $10. Worked great and fairly accurate too when compared with a fully calibrated Fluke voltmeter. You can buy one online at www.harborfreight.com or from their store.
You can't diagnose electrical problem without one.
You can't diagnose electrical problem without one.
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My local Radio shack store carries digital multimeters for about $15 for analog and from $20-30 for digital (recommended) I bought mine for electronics work 500V input max but I also use it for diagnosing and testing electrical circuits in my home and use it for my Aeros electrical system all the time. A very handy tool to have.
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx. 78418
Aerostar89,
Low battery voltage would cause the problem(s) you are experiencing. If you just cleaned the posts and already see buildup on the negative terminal, I'd check all the grounds that the battery negative terminal is physically attached to, but it sounds like you may have a bad cell in the battery. In addition check the charging system. Do you do a lot of short hop driving, the charging system may not be having enough time to charge the battery.
Ron
Low battery voltage would cause the problem(s) you are experiencing. If you just cleaned the posts and already see buildup on the negative terminal, I'd check all the grounds that the battery negative terminal is physically attached to, but it sounds like you may have a bad cell in the battery. In addition check the charging system. Do you do a lot of short hop driving, the charging system may not be having enough time to charge the battery.
Ron
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 435
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx. 78418
Just re-read your last post. On the startup, if applying some gas pedal while cranking allows the car to start, I might consider looking at the throttle position sensor.
Just a thought.
Ron
Just a thought.
Ron
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