04 GT won't start

[Hauuse96gt]

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I have owned an 04 GT for four years. The car ran great from the start, but every once and awhile (3 months) it would not start on the first key turn. The engine would turn, but never fire. I would just turn the key again, and it would start right up. My 96 GT never did this, so I determined it was a minor 04 thing.

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Within the last couple weeks the problem has became an issue. It takes several key turns to get it to fire. Sometimes after numerous key turns, I let it sit for 15 minutes before it will fire. I am curious if this is a fuel filter issue or could it be something else?


Car:
50k miles
No Gas smell when starting
No loud noises coming from fuel pump prior to issue

Thanks in advance,
Joe

 

[VEE EIGHT]

Clogged fuel filter.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Agree the simplest and first thing to try is to change the fuel filter. If it is original 50k miles is too many. They really should be changed much more often.

 

[trinity_gt]

It's not the fuel filter.

More likely to be, say, a crank position sensor. You need to do some more diagnostics. For instance, pull a COP (coil) off, put a plug in the end and ground it somewhere. Crank the engine and look for a spark. You might also try some "quick start" spray into the intake when it's doing this: If the engine pops or runs for a second and then stops, you've got spark but no fuel which would rule out the CPS and perhaps point you to a fuel pump driver or fuel pump issue.

What's odd is that you said the car would sometimes crank endlessly without a fire, then when tried again, would start right up. Any anti-theft light activity during these episodes?

 

[Hauuse96gt]

I think you are right, it has something to do with the anit-theft. I tested it last night and discovered that both times it didnt start the theft light flashed when the car was turning. When it did start the theft light never came on. How do I fix this?

 

[trinity_gt]

I think you are right, it has something to do with the anit-theft. I tested it last night and discovered that both times it didnt start the theft light flashed when the car was turning. When it did start the theft light never came on. How do I fix this?

There's a "chip" in the key that interacts with a receiver coil in the barrel of the ignition switch lock cylinder to send PATS info to the vehicle. You may have a bad key or a bad coil in the ignition switch.

 

[Notchbck93]

Shesh, I would have started with the IACV.

When the engine is turning over and it does not start after counting to two one-thousand, try giving it a steady, 1/8th throttle tip in and see if the car fires right up.