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2003 4.6L Not Starting

  • Thread starter Thread starter EKinSC
  • Start date Start date Nov 17, 2018
E

EKinSC

Member
Nov 17, 2018
5
1
13
South Carolina
Nov 17, 2018
#1
  • Nov 17, 2018
  • #1
Hello, New poster here. I have a 2003 Saleen S-281 with 17k miles on it. The car has the 4.6L V8 and is not supercharged. The car is in great shape and all maintenance is up to date. The car sat for about six weeks after I had surgery and this morning when I went to take it out it would not start. It’s sat before for a few weeks at a time and I’ve never had an issue before.

The battery is ok. I checked the volts 12.5 and tried to use my jump n go also to start it. It’s cranking very strongly it’s just not turning over. I tried some starter fluid in the air intake and had no results. I’m guessing it’s a fuel filter or something with the fuel system since the electrical and starter seem OK. Does anyone else have any suggestions? I’m not really Mr Mechanic so I’ve already made an appointment at the dealership to have it looked at (in a couple weeks) but I’m open to trying other things in the interim if anyone has any ideas.

Thank you.

EKinSC
 

O.D.B.

Member
Nov 19, 2018
5
1
13
TN
Nov 19, 2018
#2
  • Nov 19, 2018
  • #2
You tried to fire it with Starting fluid and still had no start. Have you checked for spark?
 
E

EKinSC

Member
Nov 17, 2018
5
1
13
South Carolina
Nov 19, 2018
#3
  • Nov 19, 2018
  • #3
Yes I tried the starter fluid in the intake to no avail. I ran the OBDII meter today and it's not throwing any codes. Not sure how to check for spark? I've seen a couple youtube videos on it but haven't tried it. I don't have an inline spark tester tool but I will order one from Amazon.

EKinSC
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Nov 19, 2018
#4
  • Nov 19, 2018
  • #4
So what have you done to rule in/out a PATS issue? Here's some more information that may help.

1996+ Crank with no start check list
https://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/4-6l-tech/336452-1997-mustang-wont-ignite.html#2984838
 
Last edited: Nov 24, 2018
E

EKinSC

Member
Nov 17, 2018
5
1
13
South Carolina
Nov 20, 2018
#5
  • Nov 20, 2018
  • #5
I hadn’t heard of the PATS issue so I had to read up on it. I’ve tried both keyfobs, locking and unlocking the wheels and a couple other suggestions I read online. The THEFT light blinks while off but turns off after turning the ignition to the on position.

EKinSC
 

OneSick99GT

Active Member
Nov 20, 2018
364
46
38
Dayton, Ohio
Nov 20, 2018
#6
  • Nov 20, 2018
  • #6
Deleted the post so it wasn't misleading. Its for older models. I wasn't paying attention just thought it could help.
 
Last edited: Nov 24, 2018
Reactions: Neuron

Neuron

5 Year Member
Nov 6, 2016
859
192
93
Nov 24, 2018
#7
  • Nov 24, 2018
  • #7
Onesick99GT said:
Try this first. This could help identify your starting issue. Click the link below. or copy paste the url. Sounds like your getting no spark which could be a bad distributor.

http://www.speedyjim.net/htm/spark.htm

link
Click to expand...

You're kidding right? That would be appropriate for a '70's and earlier, no distributor, points or coil nowadays.
 
E

EKinSC

Member
Nov 17, 2018
5
1
13
South Carolina
Nov 24, 2018
#8
  • Nov 24, 2018
  • #8
It ended up being the fuel pump. I noticed it wasn't activating when I turned the ignition over so I mentioned it to the mechanic. He took about 15 minutes to isolate it and they changed it out. Works fine now but ouch it hurts the budget!

EKinSC
 

GDawg

Founding Member
Mar 22, 2002
1,469
19
68
Nevada
Nov 25, 2018
#9
  • Nov 25, 2018
  • #9
EKinSC said:
It ended up being the fuel pump. I noticed it wasn't activating when I turned the ignition over so I mentioned it to the mechanic. He took about 15 minutes to isolate it and they changed it out. Works fine now but ouch it hurts the budget!

EKinSC
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me asking, what did he charge you for a new fuel pump? Labor and the part? I got a new one in my GT a few months back and the guy raped me.
 
E

EKinSC

Member
Nov 17, 2018
5
1
13
South Carolina
Nov 25, 2018
#10
  • Nov 25, 2018
  • #10
It was $680 and some change. I had a fuel pump replaced about ten years ago in a Lincoln Mk VII and it was about $590 then so it seemed reasonable. I checked on repairpal.com and they said the average cost is $446-$608 so it was a little higher. They also replaced the fuel filter and some gasket at the fuel nozzle opening that was cracked and a couple other little things so it seemed fair. I've got an honest mechanic who has about 100 positive Yelp reviews and 30+ years of experience treating people right so I guess I'm lucky. The Ford dealer I called were over $800 for the same job!

EKinSC
 
Reactions: Neuron

Neuron

5 Year Member
Nov 6, 2016
859
192
93
Nov 25, 2018
#11
  • Nov 25, 2018
  • #11
Onesick99GT said:
Deleted the post so it wasn't misleading. Its for older models. I wasn't paying attention just thought it could help.
Click to expand...

Been there done that lol, I have old age to blame thank goodness!
 

GDawg

Founding Member
Mar 22, 2002
1,469
19
68
Nevada
Nov 25, 2018
#12
  • Nov 25, 2018
  • #12
EKinSC said:
It was $680 and some change. I had a fuel pump replaced about ten years ago in a Lincoln Mk VII and it was about $590 then so it seemed reasonable. I checked on repairpal.com and they said the average cost is $446-$608 so it was a little higher. They also replaced the fuel filter and some gasket at the fuel nozzle opening that was cracked and a couple other little things so it seemed fair. I've got an honest mechanic who has about 100 positive Yelp reviews and 30+ years of experience treating people right so I guess I'm lucky. The Ford dealer I called were over $800 for the same job!

EKinSC
Click to expand...


Yeah, I had a shop that used to do decent work around 10 years ago. Then I went to them for my fuel pump among some other things and they raped me. I gave them a horrible review on Yelp. See for yourself. I should be the most recent review, "Gary Y". People are voting for it as "useful" so hopefully I've stopped some of their business. https://www.yelp.com/biz/master-tech-automotive-service-colorado-springs-2
 
R

Rickt

New Member
Nov 25, 2018
5
0
1
Mount Pleasant SC
Nov 26, 2018
#13
  • Nov 26, 2018
  • #13
I like working on Fords, Have had F150s and Rangers through the years. but the fuel pumps suck. Changed one in an RX8 and in an Eclipse, both were a half dozen screws on an access plate, another half dozen on the pump. done in 15 min. by an amateur. and $100 bucks for a pump.
 
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