Hard Starting....
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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Hard Starting....
Hi all,
The past two times I have filled up with gas, I come home, and then the next time I go to start my X, it won't start. I play around with my key fob, making sure the security is not set, get in-get out, walk around, etc. Then I thought to play with the gas-cap, since that's the only thing I have touched since the last time it started fine. Well, I open and close the cap, and then it starts.
Could this be related to the gas cap, or just coincidence? Does a gas cap go bad? Anything else I can check for?
Thanks,
Archie
The past two times I have filled up with gas, I come home, and then the next time I go to start my X, it won't start. I play around with my key fob, making sure the security is not set, get in-get out, walk around, etc. Then I thought to play with the gas-cap, since that's the only thing I have touched since the last time it started fine. Well, I open and close the cap, and then it starts.
Could this be related to the gas cap, or just coincidence? Does a gas cap go bad? Anything else I can check for?
Thanks,
Archie
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 43
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From: Surprise, AZ
I had similar problem with my '00 V-10. I would crank, let off, then crank again then it would start. One day, that didn't work anymore. Turned out the Fuel Pump and relay took a dump. Hope your problem is as simple. Hopefully cheaper @$750. Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 283
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From: Minnesota
Archie, Do you hear the 2sec. prime from your fuel pump when you rotate your key to start position?
If not try replacing your fuel pump relay.
The next time it acts up try cycling your key from off to run position 2-3 times.
This should bring your fuel pressure up to proper psi.(prime the fuel rail)
If hard start persists - replace fuel filter (cheap) may be restricted.
If all the DIY stuff is done go get a fuel pressure test done before replacing the pump assy.
Good-luck, Rich.
If not try replacing your fuel pump relay.
The next time it acts up try cycling your key from off to run position 2-3 times.
This should bring your fuel pressure up to proper psi.(prime the fuel rail)
If hard start persists - replace fuel filter (cheap) may be restricted.
If all the DIY stuff is done go get a fuel pressure test done before replacing the pump assy.
Good-luck, Rich.
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Junior User
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Hey Move over...
Last night I did the key cycling thing as you describe and it started right up. Are you suggesting this a trouble shooting technique for the fuel pump relay? If so, where is the fuel pump relay?
Thanks a bunch,
Archie
Last night I did the key cycling thing as you describe and it started right up. Are you suggesting this a trouble shooting technique for the fuel pump relay? If so, where is the fuel pump relay?
Thanks a bunch,
Archie
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 283
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From: Minnesota
Archie, Your welcome I have also gotten help here in the forums and like to do my share.
I'd say your relay is fine since your cycling primed your fuel rail.
I still think you need to change your fuel filter as sitting will let sediment settle to the bottom of filter and get clogged again after running for awhile.
You will be surprised how clogged a filter can get and still have your vehicle run.
Blow through the old filter and you will see what I mean.
A bad filter puts alot of strain on your fuel pump but hopefully you will catch it before it costs alot to replace the pump.
If you want to change the relay check your owners manual for location as most of the relays are the same in the fuse panel only control different functions.
I'd say your relay is fine since your cycling primed your fuel rail.
I still think you need to change your fuel filter as sitting will let sediment settle to the bottom of filter and get clogged again after running for awhile.
You will be surprised how clogged a filter can get and still have your vehicle run.
Blow through the old filter and you will see what I mean.
A bad filter puts alot of strain on your fuel pump but hopefully you will catch it before it costs alot to replace the pump.
If you want to change the relay check your owners manual for location as most of the relays are the same in the fuse panel only control different functions.
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Junior User
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Well, it finally happened - totally died!
I had the fuel filter changed, did a fuel pressure test, numbers looked good. Yesterday running erands, it just didn't start. Had it towed to the shop, waiting for a diagnosis. I'm beginning to feel it's gonna be the fuel pump... These symptoms and behavior are exactly the samething that happened to my VW NB before it totally left us stranded.
Anybody have a recent experience with changing a fuel pump?
Thx,
Arch
I had the fuel filter changed, did a fuel pressure test, numbers looked good. Yesterday running erands, it just didn't start. Had it towed to the shop, waiting for a diagnosis. I'm beginning to feel it's gonna be the fuel pump... These symptoms and behavior are exactly the samething that happened to my VW NB before it totally left us stranded.
Anybody have a recent experience with changing a fuel pump?
Thx,
Arch
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Minnesota
Yes we do it quite frequently. What you will want to know.
They will drop the fuel tank , disconnect the electrical connector & fuel lines, pull the pump from the top of the tank , replace the assembly , reconnect lines & electric and reinstall the tank. (ask them to inspect for debris in the tank)
Piece of cake as long as you have access to a hoist , transmission jack & air wrench (to get rusty nuts off straps)
Thank goodness for the Visa card.
They will drop the fuel tank , disconnect the electrical connector & fuel lines, pull the pump from the top of the tank , replace the assembly , reconnect lines & electric and reinstall the tank. (ask them to inspect for debris in the tank)
Piece of cake as long as you have access to a hoist , transmission jack & air wrench (to get rusty nuts off straps)
Thank goodness for the Visa card.
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Junior User
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Just to confirm, it was the fuel pump, exact job MOIC described. Fortunately, I have a good shop I trust, and a visa card with a high limit....
Does somebody have a good trouble shooting guide for the fuel pump? In the VW you pound on the bottom of the tank while somebody cranks - if it starts you know it's the fuel pump. Anybody ever try that trick with an X?
MOIC, are you a Ford tech?
Thanks to all who responded,
Archie
Does somebody have a good trouble shooting guide for the fuel pump? In the VW you pound on the bottom of the tank while somebody cranks - if it starts you know it's the fuel pump. Anybody ever try that trick with an X?
MOIC, are you a Ford tech?
Thanks to all who responded,
Archie
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 283
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From: Minnesota
Archie, Pounding on the bottom of the tank is a rather crude way to get a fuel pump going.
By pounding on the tank you can free a stuck float which shuts off fuel flow when the resistor is in the safety position. Fuel cools the pump and will burn out the pump when you run out of fuel.
A stuck motor also can be freed up with a shock to the system but poly tanks will not transfer the blow from a hammer like the old steel tanks will.
No I'm not a Ford tech but I do work with some here as well as HD truck, Chevy techs and alot of various backgrounds.
I'm a former parts store manager (NAPA & Champion auto) and a service advisor, ASE certified who now works in a municipal fleet service garage for Minneapolis / St. Paul airport.
We have a fleet of about 200 vehicles to maintain.
I always try to help the forum members when I can and enjoy the experience.
I have access to alot of technical materials and do work on vehicles alot.
Good luck with your truck,
By pounding on the tank you can free a stuck float which shuts off fuel flow when the resistor is in the safety position. Fuel cools the pump and will burn out the pump when you run out of fuel.
A stuck motor also can be freed up with a shock to the system but poly tanks will not transfer the blow from a hammer like the old steel tanks will.
No I'm not a Ford tech but I do work with some here as well as HD truck, Chevy techs and alot of various backgrounds.
I'm a former parts store manager (NAPA & Champion auto) and a service advisor, ASE certified who now works in a municipal fleet service garage for Minneapolis / St. Paul airport.
We have a fleet of about 200 vehicles to maintain.
I always try to help the forum members when I can and enjoy the experience.
I have access to alot of technical materials and do work on vehicles alot.
Good luck with your truck,
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Junior User
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MOIC, I'm talking about pounding on the bottom as a trouble shooting technique. For better or worse, there are so many points of failure in an ECU controlled engine, fortunately, some will create a code that helps narrow things down, but other failures don't. It seems the fuel pump failure doesn't.
If your vehicle starts after pounding, at least you know where the failure is, and it's time to replace the pump.
Thanks for all your help on this thread, I hope others will find it as informative as I have.
Archie
If your vehicle starts after pounding, at least you know where the failure is, and it's time to replace the pump.
Thanks for all your help on this thread, I hope others will find it as informative as I have.
Archie
