Intermittent hard starting - 2000 Expy
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From: Columbus, Ohio
Intermittent hard starting - 2000 Expy
Intermittent hard starting
I have a 2000 Expedition, 5.4, 68K miles that has recently experience an intermittent hard starting condition.
Intermittent hard starting, Takes several cranks, 2-5 attempts, to get the engine to start.
Once started the engine runs smooth and fine. I have found this forum very helpful in the past to help solve and fix issues with my vehicle. I searched past postings and read several stories and issues related to hard starting but couldn’t narrow down were to investigate with my vehicle.
</O
What really bothers me is that the hard starting doesn’t occur all the time. I didn’t have the problem this morning. It fired up on the first crank.
I ordered two extra keys off Ebay, $20 delivered, after reading the horror stories if you loose one key and want to make a spare. Sears paint/hardware cut them for free and they programmed like a charm. Stick original first key in turn it to On position, wait 5 sec, take out. Put second original key in and turn it to On position, wait 5 sec, take out. Put new key in and put it to On position and theft light should go solid. Key is programmed and will crank/start the engine. Some posts said the programming procedure was in your car manual. I didn’t see it but stumbled on a hard starting procedure.
The manual states if the car doesn’t fire up on the first crank, move to the off position and wait 15 seconds and then try to crank it again. If this doesn’t work put the gas peddle to the floor and crank.
<O
The last three times I had this issues I turned the key to the off position and counted slowly to 15 and tried a second crank and it worked. In the past I would normally try to crank it again right away and could take 2-5 times. I’m not sure what purpose this is serving by waiting 15 seconds in the off position before trying again and whether this was just a coincidence that it started after doing this. Does anyone know or have any ideas why this might of worked or what could be the root cause of the problem?
I read on the forum if there is an issue with gas pressure, by turning the key to ON and waiting 15 seconds might help. I tried this previously with this problem and didn’t have success.
I’m really worried about taking this to a mechanic who can’t reproduce the issue enough to narrow down the issue and just wants to replace parts. Any ideas??
Ken
I have a 2000 Expedition, 5.4, 68K miles that has recently experience an intermittent hard starting condition.
Intermittent hard starting, Takes several cranks, 2-5 attempts, to get the engine to start.
Once started the engine runs smooth and fine. I have found this forum very helpful in the past to help solve and fix issues with my vehicle. I searched past postings and read several stories and issues related to hard starting but couldn’t narrow down were to investigate with my vehicle.
- The battery was replaced about 1 ½ years ago and has no problems cranking.
- Replaced the IAC two years ago. Had the same symptoms reported on this forum.
- I replaced my key with my backup to rule out a damaged key. I didn’t see the theft light blink when cranking, which I assume everything is good.
- I had my fuel filter replaced at 59K miles. About 9K miles ago.
- I replaced my air filter last weekend. Never hurts!
</OWhat really bothers me is that the hard starting doesn’t occur all the time. I didn’t have the problem this morning. It fired up on the first crank.
I ordered two extra keys off Ebay, $20 delivered, after reading the horror stories if you loose one key and want to make a spare. Sears paint/hardware cut them for free and they programmed like a charm. Stick original first key in turn it to On position, wait 5 sec, take out. Put second original key in and turn it to On position, wait 5 sec, take out. Put new key in and put it to On position and theft light should go solid. Key is programmed and will crank/start the engine. Some posts said the programming procedure was in your car manual. I didn’t see it but stumbled on a hard starting procedure.
The manual states if the car doesn’t fire up on the first crank, move to the off position and wait 15 seconds and then try to crank it again. If this doesn’t work put the gas peddle to the floor and crank.
<O
The last three times I had this issues I turned the key to the off position and counted slowly to 15 and tried a second crank and it worked. In the past I would normally try to crank it again right away and could take 2-5 times. I’m not sure what purpose this is serving by waiting 15 seconds in the off position before trying again and whether this was just a coincidence that it started after doing this. Does anyone know or have any ideas why this might of worked or what could be the root cause of the problem?
I read on the forum if there is an issue with gas pressure, by turning the key to ON and waiting 15 seconds might help. I tried this previously with this problem and didn’t have success.
I’m really worried about taking this to a mechanic who can’t reproduce the issue enough to narrow down the issue and just wants to replace parts. Any ideas??
Ken
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Thanks Shandell I will.
So much for turning off the key and waiting 15 seconds and my Expy starting on the next try. I left work to go out for lunch and had to crank the engine about 20 times before it finally started. This is really getting to be a pain in the but. It is cold (25-30 degrees) and sat for about 4 hours. I didn't have any trouble coming to work this morning. I do park the vehicle in the garage.
So much for turning off the key and waiting 15 seconds and my Expy starting on the next try. I left work to go out for lunch and had to crank the engine about 20 times before it finally started. This is really getting to be a pain in the but. It is cold (25-30 degrees) and sat for about 4 hours. I didn't have any trouble coming to work this morning. I do park the vehicle in the garage.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Long Island, NY
Maybe your fuel pump is acting funny? or could some of your injectors need some cleaning (just throwing out what comes to my head ).
I would also throw in some fuel system/injector type cleaner in your next fill-up I l personally like Techron cleaners.
So many variables thats what makes it difficult to pinpoint.
Good luck.
I would also throw in some fuel system/injector type cleaner in your next fill-up I l personally like Techron cleaners.
So many variables thats what makes it difficult to pinpoint.
Good luck.
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From: Columbus, Ohio
Thanks Phil!
I did add some fuel system/injector cleaner just on my last fill-up two days ago. You are right there are many variables. (Fuel/Air/Spark) I was thinking if the injectors were causing a problem I would notice something during driving. I could also be wrong. I added system/injector cleaner to be safe. I'm really getting to the point where I need to have it reproduced with a computer hooked up to my Expy to determine what is going wrong. I'm really hoping it is not the fuel pump. This is probally something I will not attempt to do myself in the winter. Reading the past posts this is going to cost a bundle if it is.
I did add some fuel system/injector cleaner just on my last fill-up two days ago. You are right there are many variables. (Fuel/Air/Spark) I was thinking if the injectors were causing a problem I would notice something during driving. I could also be wrong. I added system/injector cleaner to be safe. I'm really getting to the point where I need to have it reproduced with a computer hooked up to my Expy to determine what is going wrong. I'm really hoping it is not the fuel pump. This is probally something I will not attempt to do myself in the winter. Reading the past posts this is going to cost a bundle if it is.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 206
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From: Long Island, NY
Two other things have come to mind, it may not work, but it won't hurt.
First, you may have a somewhat dirty MAF sensor, a quick and easy way to clean it.
Second, which I don't think is causing your issues but may help would be to clean the butterfly valve on the throttle body. When I looked at mine I couldn't believe how much crud was on the edges of the valve, it ran and idled smoother after the cleaning (plus better throttle response).
Just saying this since you are doing so many other things to it
why not a couple of more?
First, you may have a somewhat dirty MAF sensor, a quick and easy way to clean it.
Second, which I don't think is causing your issues but may help would be to clean the butterfly valve on the throttle body. When I looked at mine I couldn't believe how much crud was on the edges of the valve, it ran and idled smoother after the cleaning (plus better throttle response).
Just saying this since you are doing so many other things to it
why not a couple of more?
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Long Island, NY
kennyt,
Here's a post i made a couple of years ago describing how i cleaned my MAF.
"I too had some hesitation, I took a look at my MAF sensor and those little guys were BLACK . First I disconnected the negative terminal on the battery to reset the computer. (Important to do, you want the computer to re-learn the information coming from the MAF sensors.)
Then I shot those puppies with Brake Kleen, (when the engine is cold.. the sensors need to be cool before cleaning) a couple of times until the silver came back on them. I let the MAF dry before reconnecting it and the negative battery cable. (Let it sit for 15 minutes to make sure the computer will reset)
As soon as I started the engine, you could tell the difference with the idle.
Hope this helps and good luck! "
-Phil
Here's a post i made a couple of years ago describing how i cleaned my MAF.
"I too had some hesitation, I took a look at my MAF sensor and those little guys were BLACK . First I disconnected the negative terminal on the battery to reset the computer. (Important to do, you want the computer to re-learn the information coming from the MAF sensors.)
Then I shot those puppies with Brake Kleen, (when the engine is cold.. the sensors need to be cool before cleaning) a couple of times until the silver came back on them. I let the MAF dry before reconnecting it and the negative battery cable. (Let it sit for 15 minutes to make sure the computer will reset)
As soon as I started the engine, you could tell the difference with the idle.
Hope this helps and good luck! "
-Phil
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Originally Posted by Phil056
Two other things have come to mind, it may not work, but it won't hurt.
First, you may have a somewhat dirty MAF sensor, a quick and easy way to clean it.
Second, which I don't think is causing your issues but may help would be to clean the butterfly valve on the throttle body. When I looked at mine I couldn't believe how much crud was on the edges of the valve, it ran and idled smoother after the cleaning (plus better throttle response).
Just saying this since you are doing so many other things to it why not a couple of more?
First, you may have a somewhat dirty MAF sensor, a quick and easy way to clean it.
Second, which I don't think is causing your issues but may help would be to clean the butterfly valve on the throttle body. When I looked at mine I couldn't believe how much crud was on the edges of the valve, it ran and idled smoother after the cleaning (plus better throttle response).
Just saying this since you are doing so many other things to it
why not a couple of more?FTE Stories
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Long Island, NY
It's easy to clean. Just get to the throttle body butterfly valve by taking off the air intake tubing in front of the t.b. I then would open up the valve by pushing the cable from the gas pedal until it opens up. Then I sprayed t.b. cleaner all over the valve (both opened and closed). I let it sit for about 15 seconds or so.. Then I use an old t-shirt (soft!!) and carefully wipe away all of the carbon deposits. Mine looked new again, and the results were better throttle response and idle. I did have the sticker on it, but I've done this a couple of times and it hasn't harmed it at all.
Keep warm!
Keep warm!
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From: Columbus, Ohio
I measured the fuel pressure and it looked good but the hard starting problem was not happening. After almost one an half weeks of starting fine I finally got the hard start problem to reproduce. I stuck a fuel pressure gauge on and it was zero. Replaced the fuel pump and hoping the problem is now fixed.
