Another Hard Start
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Another Hard Start
My 97 psd had been starting hard for about 2 months. Read several threads here and got some good ideas.
Also had found a copy of Ford's "Hard Start/No Start Diagonstics". In summary it has this list of things to check, some of which need a code reader that reads the sensors and some pressure gauges.
1. Check for oil, fuel, coolant leaks and loose electrical connections.
2. Check engine oil level. (need an oil change?)
3. Check for intake and exhaust restrictions. (need an new air filter?)
4. Is the fuel clean?
5. Tandem fuel pump pressure >20psi (shows where to chek this with a gauge) (need a new fuel filter?)
6. do a KOEO test. (must have a code reader that can initiate the tests)
7. Check for any dtc's. (diagnostic trouble codes)
8. run the KOEO injector self test (aka buzz test, another builtin test)
9. Use scan tool to monitor V PWR (voltage 7V minimum), RPM (100 min), ICP (500 psi), and Fuel PW (1-6 mS) while cranking.
10. check the glow plugs
This is a very good list even if it requires some specialized tools. I have never been shy of buying tools 'cause the alternative is to pay more to someone who has the tools.
Anyway, to shorten this story... the batteries were replaced because they were about 4 years old and tested week at Advance Auto (<7volts while cranking).
Still started hard tho'.
Checked and found the battery terms loose after Adv Auto guy had failed to get them tight.
Still started hard tho'.
By this time it was becoming obvious that it was not cranking as fast as it should (see 100 prm crank speed above).
Pulled the starter and took it to Auto Zone for test (see above Adv Auto fiasco.) Starter was fried. New starter and now it starts up in about .35 seconds.
So, the moral of this story is don't try to complicate things right off by getting in to the tricky stuff. Be aware that the starter will usually fail very slowly and you might not notice the gradual drop off in cranking RPM's. The cheklist above did, however, alert me that it might be the culprit and indeed it was.
Steve
Also had found a copy of Ford's "Hard Start/No Start Diagonstics". In summary it has this list of things to check, some of which need a code reader that reads the sensors and some pressure gauges.
1. Check for oil, fuel, coolant leaks and loose electrical connections.
2. Check engine oil level. (need an oil change?)
3. Check for intake and exhaust restrictions. (need an new air filter?)
4. Is the fuel clean?
5. Tandem fuel pump pressure >20psi (shows where to chek this with a gauge) (need a new fuel filter?)
6. do a KOEO test. (must have a code reader that can initiate the tests)
7. Check for any dtc's. (diagnostic trouble codes)
8. run the KOEO injector self test (aka buzz test, another builtin test)
9. Use scan tool to monitor V PWR (voltage 7V minimum), RPM (100 min), ICP (500 psi), and Fuel PW (1-6 mS) while cranking.
10. check the glow plugs
This is a very good list even if it requires some specialized tools. I have never been shy of buying tools 'cause the alternative is to pay more to someone who has the tools.
Anyway, to shorten this story... the batteries were replaced because they were about 4 years old and tested week at Advance Auto (<7volts while cranking).
Still started hard tho'.
Checked and found the battery terms loose after Adv Auto guy had failed to get them tight.
Still started hard tho'.
By this time it was becoming obvious that it was not cranking as fast as it should (see 100 prm crank speed above).
Pulled the starter and took it to Auto Zone for test (see above Adv Auto fiasco.) Starter was fried. New starter and now it starts up in about .35 seconds.
So, the moral of this story is don't try to complicate things right off by getting in to the tricky stuff. Be aware that the starter will usually fail very slowly and you might not notice the gradual drop off in cranking RPM's. The cheklist above did, however, alert me that it might be the culprit and indeed it was.
Steve
. It can be frustrating trying to figure out whats wrong. Glad to see you fixed it
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
I read that thread... got a lot of good ideas from it. I was surprised that yours wasn't a cracked fuse or loose connection. The Wait To Start light coming on while driving sounded like a power on reset. Don't have any experience with chips, so you're way ahead of me there.
