Starting problems

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Starting problems

February 23, 2009, 05:36:20 PM

I have a 83 T-Bird with 5.0L that some times will not start, it turns over but acts like no fuel.First time started about 2 years ago took it to the local dealer and it never acted up for them nor me since. They had it for 4 days. Past weekend it acted up and I was ready to take it to the shop, when I tried to start it 3 days later it fired up. I did not do anything but recharged the battery, which was low from my attempts to start. Find it puzzling.

Starting problems

Reply #1 – February 23, 2009, 05:42:14 PM

Get rid of the fuel in the tank, begin there.

Starting problems

Reply #2 – February 23, 2009, 06:39:09 PM

OK, but the fuel is only less than 2 weeks old,chevron gas.

Starting problems

Reply #3 – February 23, 2009, 06:54:46 PM

Did you add it to the 2yr. old gas?

Starting problems

Reply #4 – February 23, 2009, 07:42:09 PM

No, I been driving it since the without the starting problem. It just started acting up again.

Starting problems

Reply #5 – February 23, 2009, 11:02:17 PM

First off, lets define what engine you have as far as computer is concerned.

Describe your distributor-- does it have a TFI module mounted to the side as well as a pickup module down in the distributor.

Describe the alternator- does it have two plastic connectors?

Next time you get the car to fail starting, get a tool such as a 2x4 or rubber hammer and beat on the bottom of the fuel tank while cranking. If it starts by doing that,,,move on to fuel presure test.

Test your fuel presure which should be about 40psi. Try to drive the car and as your trans shifts through the gears, the pres should not drop lower than 20 - 25psi and ramp back up to near 40psi when the strain is off the specific gear you are in.

Check for nice bluish white spark on all the plugs.

Your CFI (if its never been off) tends to build up carbon on the bottom. THere is a "base plate gasket kit" that can be bought for about 30 dollars when you get a chance to do this.

Your injectors have little screens in the top of them that get clogged as well.

anyway, back to the basics,, go to my diy link and you will find steps to test your CFI engine.

Keep in mind that i have assumed your car is CFI, if it is carb then say so now.

reply back by quoting me and inserting your answers in a different color then we can work out your issues from there.

Starting problems

Reply #6 – February 24, 2009, 12:03:34 AM

If it is a stock USA car it should be CFI EEC III.
Duraspark III ignition.

Starting problems

Reply #7 – February 24, 2009, 12:09:16 AM

yeah,, i just had V8demons thread in mind and thought of any random possiblility to include a "ford cougar":D

Starting problems

Reply #8 – February 24, 2009, 09:12:24 AM

I know a man who bought an 87 tc which sparadically would not start. It ended up being the fuel pump. Just a thought.

Starting problems

Reply #9 – February 24, 2009, 08:17:57 PM

I'm not sure what all my car has but I will find out. It is a stock USA car, has a module on the side and two plastic connectors on the alternator.Also it is fuel injected. I will check out you DIY link for more help. Thanks for the help so far.

Starting problems

Reply #10 – February 24, 2009, 09:50:47 PM

good deal

It is an EEC IV system CFI (two injectors).

Pull codes as well but before hand, check the basics like fuel presure and spark.

Make sure to check the fuel pres while driving as well, Car may have good Fuel Presure sitting still but now while under a load.

Same issue, more details

Reply #11 – March 11, 2010, 11:07:51 PM

Hello

I have the same issue. It is very random and only occurs if the car is cold or has been sitting awhile. Car Details: 1997 with V8 and EFI fuel injection. I hear the fuel pump and have replaced the pressure regulator (5 months ago) and fuel filter (10 to 11 months ago).

The engine turns and starts for a brief second, then dies.
If I step on the gas while starting the engine starts and everything is fine. It has done this 4 or 5 times but the last time I could tell the issue is getting worst.

This last time if I remove my foot from the gas the engine died and I had to keep the RPMs above 1,000 or the car would die. I would press the gas petal and raise the RPMS between 1,000 and 2,000 where the car ran OK. If I allowed the RPMs to drop close to 1,000 and could tell the engine wanted to die. It had a led tone and while not rough running was not smooth either. After about 5 mins of doing this I could tell "tone" of the engine changed and it started idling correctly.

My check engine light has never come on so I don't think any codes have been set (please confirm if this is correct). I wondered about the MAP senor as I had another car years back that would eat those every 4 to 6 thousand miles (other issues) but the engine ran much worst. This is like it, but not quite.

It has the original fuel pump but I am not noticing any other issues and normally the car runs great. The car was tuned up about 9,000 miles ago, new plugs, wires, and the above replaced. The coil packs have been repleaced but a long time ago.

Thanks for your insight and and assistance.

Ray

Starting problems

Reply #12 – March 11, 2010, 11:21:49 PM

For the original poster, I have an 83 cougar with the 5.0. I had an intermittent crank sensor cause a similar problem. It would just turn over and not start. Totally random. I had fuel but no spark. One day I decided to have my wife turn the key while I jiggled wires... When I jiggled the crank sensor wire, it started. I replaced the crank sensor and it never did it again.