starting problems
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: northern mn
starting problems
I have a 93 3.0 it has 255 K on it, problem is if it sits out side it will not start.If it is in warm building it will start right up if it is out side and sun is shinning and I open hood for like 10 minutes it will also start. Just put new plugs in it the ones I took out were kinda black the back two were the best. Reason for changing them was because I had flooded it bad trying to get it started. Is there a cold start selniod or any thing like that on these motors?I was thinking maybe the intake temp sensor but do not know. When I open hood and let the sun shine in it does not warm up motor at all also if I push in building after 10 to 15 minutes it will also start up.Very confused on this problem so just about any ideas wil be good ones.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 208
Likes: 3
From: Norfolk VA
Start with the basics to make an engine run and work from there. You need spark, air, and fuel for combustion. In a no start condition one of these are missing. It may be oversimplifing things a bit but everything else is just to keep in running smooth.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
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From: Mitchell, SD
Before tearing into the engine, I would look at a couple things.
1st, how old is the battery? The colder it is the harder the battery has to work.
2nd, How are the battery/starter connections? Coroded? Oxodized? If so clean.
See if that helps.
You did not mention if you replaced the cap and rotor recently? Moisture in it would cause start issues.
1st, how old is the battery? The colder it is the harder the battery has to work.
2nd, How are the battery/starter connections? Coroded? Oxodized? If so clean.
See if that helps.
You did not mention if you replaced the cap and rotor recently? Moisture in it would cause start issues.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: northern mn
Have not replaced rotor cap lately but it has spark,it almost seams like lack if fuel when it needs it.When I cycled the switch a bunch of times it started dont know if that had anything to do with it but it started that time,I am going to go to the fuel thing. When I turn switch on the sound is different than normal,the whining and groning that you here, it seems to be kinda doggy & lame.It isnt very cold here now but this happens even at 20 to 25 degrees above,if it is real cold it starts. This is the part that stumps me.So like I say I will be looking more towards the fuel idea.Will keep posting in case some one else has this problem. It has always started before even at 30 below it does not have block heater either.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
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From: Northern California
For my $.02, replace your stock 4 guage ground cable, with a full 2 guage or 1/0 guage cable. The added copper truly puts the full juice of the battery where it belongs. I did this to my Aerostar years ago, after a friend of mine had starting problems on a mid 90s Ranger. He was chasing everything, almost thought the fuel pump was shot, because it was moaning loudly, with decreased power, dim dash lights, lazy turnsignals and flashers. What happened was he changed the ground cable, and found out that inside the stock ( -) cable, the wire copper was all broken, brittle, cracked, and worn. You don't know that, until you strip away the insulation. Otherwise, the cable looks fine, even with clean post connections. Simply a thought to ponder, if this is not your exact problem... Ed
PS Always make sure you run a pigtail lead to ground, on a bare body bolt, etc. This really helps any vehicle, complete the circuit, where eletrical connections are numerous and plenty, on a modern car or truck.
PS Always make sure you run a pigtail lead to ground, on a bare body bolt, etc. This really helps any vehicle, complete the circuit, where eletrical connections are numerous and plenty, on a modern car or truck.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 882
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From: Wichita
My first guess would be the battery or battery connections. Don't leave out inspecting the battery cables themselves.
Maybe you have water in the fuel line. Common during the cold season. Try some gas dryer in the tank - follow instructions.
Maybe you have water in the fuel line. Common during the cold season. Try some gas dryer in the tank - follow instructions.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: northern mn
Went through the key on & off 5 to ten times and it has started evey time so far dont know what is wrong yet but this is working for now.Must be orignal fuel filter on it,will be changing that real soon.Thanks for all thoughs from eveyone.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
ECU cold engine open loop start relys on clean throttle body-especially air gap at bottom, clean properly funtioning IAC for idle start, good injector spray pattern, good clean properly gapped Autolite/Motorcraft only plugs, and minimum 30 psi crank fuel pressure....
how old are the spark plug wires?
does the engine spin over any faster setting out in sun than inside in cold?
does no good to pump gas pedal while cranking these ECU/PCM controlled engines, they control the horizontal and the vertical
how old are the spark plug wires?
does the engine spin over any faster setting out in sun than inside in cold?
does no good to pump gas pedal while cranking these ECU/PCM controlled engines, they control the horizontal and the vertical
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Jan 23, 2006 at 12:08 AM.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: northern mn
Starter is 6 months old IAC is about the same plugs just put them in batery is a good one 02 sensor about 6 months old,starter cranks it very good,wires I havent changed yet.After it is running it runs very good.You can push gas pedal all the way to floor no coughing or sputtering it is just the cold start up thing.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
yendor,
both of us and our Aeros live in wet humid climates
wet, humid spark plug wires go alone with cold weather...old cracked broken down insulation absorbs moisture when cooling off...what may be plenty of high voltage for a cold engine start with new high quality spark plug wires becomes marginal or a NO GO with old failing plug wires....only sure way to test spark plug wires is to replace
old wires dry out as engine warms up and will run fine with no spark leaks until moisture absorbs in again
both of us and our Aeros live in wet humid climates
wet, humid spark plug wires go alone with cold weather...old cracked broken down insulation absorbs moisture when cooling off...what may be plenty of high voltage for a cold engine start with new high quality spark plug wires becomes marginal or a NO GO with old failing plug wires....only sure way to test spark plug wires is to replace
old wires dry out as engine warms up and will run fine with no spark leaks until moisture absorbs in again
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Wichita
Originally Posted by 96_4wdr
yendor,
both of us and our Aeros live in wet humid climates
wet, humid spark plug wires go alone with cold weather...old cracked broken down insulation absorbs moisture when cooling off...what may be plenty of high voltage for a cold engine start with new high quality spark plug wires becomes marginal or a NO GO with old failing plug wires....only sure way to test spark plug wires is to replace
old wires dry out as engine warms up and will run fine with no spark leaks until moisture absorbs in again
both of us and our Aeros live in wet humid climates
wet, humid spark plug wires go alone with cold weather...old cracked broken down insulation absorbs moisture when cooling off...what may be plenty of high voltage for a cold engine start with new high quality spark plug wires becomes marginal or a NO GO with old failing plug wires....only sure way to test spark plug wires is to replace
old wires dry out as engine warms up and will run fine with no spark leaks until moisture absorbs in again
If they are bad enough to prevent startup. You should be able to see arcing when the lighting is low. i.e. nightime or dark garage.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: northern mn
Have looked in the dark and even held on to them waiting for the shock but it dont come. The cycling of the switch seems to be doing it for now.I dont think it is any thing to do with spark because on the road it will smoke my 95 shorty and it seems not to have any problems the 93 is the longer one also.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Wichita
Had a similar problem on my 99 Seville.
These things have a fuel pressure regulator. If you pull the vacuum hose on it (engine not running) does fuel come out or smell like raw gas?
96_4wdr suggested the proper fuel pressure, have you tested it? These two tests are independent of each other but can cause starting problems.
These things have a fuel pressure regulator. If you pull the vacuum hose on it (engine not running) does fuel come out or smell like raw gas?
96_4wdr suggested the proper fuel pressure, have you tested it? These two tests are independent of each other but can cause starting problems.