Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Topic: Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page... (Read 4343 times) previous topic - next topic

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

July 11, 2006, 09:53:06 PM

Well, It's time for yet another problem thread.

I'll just get straight to the point. When trying to turn my car on, I have to turn the key for 3-4 seconds about 4 times just to get the engine to turn on. When I turn the key, the engine cranks (Almost sounds like there's no spark), but won't turn on. After about 4 tries, it does turn on, but clearly this can't be normal. My Turbo used to kick on right away, as did my V6, but this...no.

The previous owned told me the car had just been tuned up, new plugs, and plug wires, so I don't think it's that. I know that with my Blue V6, and my Turbo, whenever I changed the TFI module, that seemed to solve a plethora of problems involving the engine. Could changing it solve that problem?

Also, another weird thing happened while I was driving. (Weird to me anyway...), When I accelerate at a stop light the car goes like normal, but there comes a point, either when shifting from 1st to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd gear, the car seems to not accelerate as quickly as it should, and I would swear the engine shimmys and vibrates. If I let off the gas a little, it does shift into high gear like normal. Also, I was noticing that when I floored the accelerator at times, the car either stayed the same speed (35-38mph) or sped up very little. Is that normal? I mean, when I'm in 2nd and I trounce on the thing, I can feel the car downshifting into passing gear, but once I'm in 4th, it just doesn't seem to move all the much.

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #1 – July 11, 2006, 10:09:02 PM

Your injectors are bleeding down after they sit for a while.

Or the check valve in the pump is bad.

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #2 – July 11, 2006, 10:30:47 PM

Let the fuel system prime before starting the car...ie turn the key to RUN and wait for the fuel pump to stop. Then go and try and start the car.

On the acceleration "issue"....sounds like 2.73 or 3.08 gearing and an SO 5.0........

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #3 – July 11, 2006, 11:15:53 PM

Get a fuel pressure guage on there and poke it through the cowl area so you can see it when driving....

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #4 – July 11, 2006, 11:57:02 PM

So, I should turn the key to ACC, (Radio On, etc...), and let it sit for a while?

Also, shouldn't the car at least downshift when matted? I know that the gearing is "bad", but c'mon!

(BTW, does anyone have any pictures of 87-88 Thunderbird LX's, or Sports with 8 holed wheels, painted red? I'm trying to get ideas for painting my car...)

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #5 – July 12, 2006, 01:54:11 AM

Quote from: DMC24guy

So, I should turn the key to ACC, (Radio On, etc...), and let it sit for a while?

You want to turn it to the position it would return to after starting, one click before the starter engages.

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #6 – July 12, 2006, 07:17:46 AM

Quote from: DMC24guy

So, I should turn the key to ACC, (Radio On, etc...), and let it sit for a while?

No..the RUN position is where the key/ignition switch returns to after you start the car.

When you turn the key to this position before starting the car, you will hear the fuel pump kick on for 2-3 sec and then stop. This is the prime pulse.

If the car starts normally after doing this, then there is a possible issue with the fuel system as mentioned and is bleeding down pressure too quickly after shutoff.

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #7 – July 12, 2006, 07:35:27 AM

Quote from: DMC24guy

Also, shouldn't the car at least downshift when matted? I know that the gearing is "bad", but c'mon!

Your TV cable may be out of adjustment. Go here:
http://www.txchange.com/aodadj.htm

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #8 – July 12, 2006, 11:17:30 AM

Quote from: DMC24guy

I'll just get straight to the point. When trying to turn my car on, I have to turn the key for 3-4 seconds about 4 times just to get the engine to turn on. When I turn the key, the engine cranks (Almost sounds like there's no spark), but won't turn on. After about 4 tries, it does turn on, but clearly this can't be normal. My Turbo used to kick on right away, as did my V6, but this...no.

100% sure that this is fuel related. My car did the exact same thing. Does your car run rough for a couple of seconds once it starts?

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #9 – July 12, 2006, 11:40:51 AM

Could also be a clogged charcoal cannister on the startup issue. You could try unplugging the large vacuum hose on the cannister and see if that helps. I hate to say that but I have a feeling it's the fuel pump going south...

Wouldn't be surprised if the TPS needs adjusted for your hesitation issue. Could be throwing an error code and/or needs replaced. Also could be a clogged EGR, bad EVP, clogged bypass valve, etc.

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #10 – July 12, 2006, 03:28:39 PM

On the downshift issue that might be normal. When the car is in 4th gear (OD) the car will usually down shift to 3rd gear for passing. To shift out of OD you have to give it over 3/4 throttle and then it'll shift to 3rd. If you floor it it should breifly go to 2nd and then back to 3rd.

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #11 – July 19, 2006, 03:29:53 PM

With the starting issue....

I may not be a mechanic, but if the Fuel Pump was going south, wouldn't the car be having other problems just besides hard starting? Like dying out? After I do get the thing started, it runs fine, and never hesitates. I've never felt like it was going to out on my while driving around.

Also, I noticed a few weeks ago while running around town with the Air on, the engine started to overheat. So, I pulled into a gas station, and it so happened I was low on gas anyway, so I filled up. When I got back in the car to start it, it took many more cranks to get the engine to fire. Almost like there was something connecting the engine being hotter with it taking longer to start. This of course made me thing...new TFI module.

I know that little thing worked miracles on my previous two Birds, and I wonder if it would do the same on this car?

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #12 – July 25, 2006, 07:42:54 PM

Anyone? Anyone at all? Surely I'm not going mad. I mean, if It were the fuel pump, wouldn't there be other engine running problems other than hard starting?

(Oh and btw, I took a bunch of new pictures of the Car, and uploaded them to Cardomain. Check them out!)

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #13 – July 25, 2006, 08:02:09 PM

I would say its a problem with the fuel. Maybe starter or wire problems

Fuel Pressure Issues, Have PSI Guage Readings on Last Page...

Reply #14 – July 25, 2006, 10:11:44 PM

The car runs fine when It's started. Although from time to time when accelerating from a dead stop and I mash the gas, the car starting shimmying violently, almost like the entire engine is rocking back and forth, and I have to let out of the gas and let the transmission upshift to stop that.

If It was the fuel pump going bad, wouldn't I be having other problems besides starting?