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93 mustang starting problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter wildmandave
  • Start date Start date Sep 17, 2005

wildmandave

Member
Sep 15, 2005
70
2
8
largo,FL
Sep 17, 2005
#1
  • Sep 17, 2005
  • #1
My friend has a 93 5.0 with some kind of starting problem when it's cold. It doesn't always do it but he said he has to crank the ignition between 5-10 times to get it to start. He's replaced the regulator and the fuel pressure is set about 45 on 30lb. injectors. It has a fairly new bbk 255lph fuel pump (we are going to try another fuel pump today). Replaced msd blaster coil and 6al box. Has msd pro billet distributor. New fuel filter. Had a bad ground to coil but fixed it. Tryed bypassing 6al box but same result. Any ideas?
 
T

TheUser

Active Member
Jul 25, 2003
1,859
1
36
Springfield, MO
Sep 17, 2005
#2
  • Sep 17, 2005
  • #2
sounds like the fuel pressure is a little high to me. With the 30's, you probably don't need that much pressure. I'd back it down to 38 or so vac off.

I would also check the fuel pressure when cranking before I replaced pumps. That will tell you a lot...if the pressure during cranking is low, then that could be a bad pump, but if the pressure is good, then it's most likely something else.

Have you pulled any codes?
 

jrichker

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#3
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  • #3
Cranks OK, but No Start Checklist for Fuel Injected Mustangs

1.) Remove push on connector from starter solenoid and turn ignition switch on. Place car in neutral or Park. Remove coil wire from distributor & and hold 3/8” away from engine block. Jumper the screw to the big bolt on the starter solenoid that has the battery wire connected to it. You should get a nice fat blue spark.
Most of the items are electrical in nature, so a test light, or even better, a voltmeter, is helpful to be sure they have power to them.
No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) MSD or Crane ignition box if so equipped
B.) Coil
C.) TFI module
D.) PIP sensor in distributor
E.) ECC relay next to computer - look for 12 volts at the fuel injector red wires
F.) Fuse links in wiring harness - look for 12 volts at the fuel injector red wires. All the fuse links live in a bundle up near the starter solenoid.
G.) Ignition switch - look for 12 volts at the ignition coil red/lt green wire.
H.) Computer

See the following links for wiring diagrams...

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/16/71/3c/0900823d8016713c.jsp for 79-88 model cars

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/19/59/5a/0900823d8019595a.jsp for 89-93 model cars

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1d/db/3c/0900823d801ddb3c.jsp for 94-98 model cars


2.) Spark at coil wire, pull #1 plug wire off at the spark plug and check to see spark. No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Moisture inside distributor – remove cap, dry off & spray with WD40
B.) Distributor cap
C.) Rotor
D.) Spark Plug wires
E.) Coil weak or intermittent - you should see 3/8" fat blue spark with a good coil

3.) Spark at spark plug, but no start.
Next, get a can of starting fluid (ether) from your local auto parts store: costs a $1.30 or so. Then pull the air duct off at the throttle body elbow, open the throttle, and spray the ether in it. Reconnect the air duct and try to start the car. Do not try to start the car without reconnecting the air duct.
Two reasons:
1.) If it backfires, the chance for a serious fire is increased.
2.) On Mass Air cars, the computer needs to measure the MAF flow once the engine starts.
If it starts then, you have a fuel management issue. Continue the checklist with emphasis of fuel related items that follow. If it doesn’t, then it is a computer or timing issue: see Step 4.

Clue – listen for the fuel pump to prime when you first turn the ignition switch on. It should run for 5-20 seconds and shut off. To trick the fuel pump into running, find the ECC test connector and jump the connector in the lower RH corner to ground. See http://www.mustangworks.com/article...c-iv_codes.html for a description of the test connector. If the relay & inertia switch are OK, you will have power to the pump. Check fuel pressure – remove the cap from the schrader valve behind the alternator and depress the core. Fuel should squirt out, catch it in a rag. Beware of fire hazard when you do this. In pinch you can use a tire pressure gauge to measure the fuel pressure. It may not be completely accurate, but you will have some clue as to how much pressure you have.

No fuel pressure, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Tripped inertia switch – Coupe & hatch cars hide it under the plastic trim covering the driver's side taillight. Use the voltmeter or test light to make sure you have power to both sides of the switch
B.) Fuel pump power relay – located under the driver’s seat in most stangs built before 92. On 92 and later model cars it is located below the Mass Air Flow meter. Look for 12 volts at the Pink/Black wire on the fuel pump relay.
C.) Clogged fuel filter
D.) Failed fuel pump
E.) Blown fuse link in wiring harness. Look for 12 volts at the Orange/Lt Blue wire on the fuel pump relay. The fuse links live in the wiring harness near the starter solenoid.
F.) Fuel pressure regulator failed. Remove vacuum line from regulator and inspect for fuel escaping while pump is running.

Fuel pressure OK, the injectors are not firing.

A.) A Noid light available from Autozone, is one way to test the injector wiring.
B.) I like to use an old injector with compressed air applied to the injector where the fuel rail would normally connect. I hook the whole thing up, apply compressed air to the injector and stick it in a paper cup of soapy water. When the engine cranks with the ignition switch on, if the injector fires, it makes bubbles. Cheap if you have the stuff laying around, and works good too.

a.) Pull an injector wire connector off and look for 12 volts on the red wire when the ignition switch is on.
b.) No power, then look for problems with the 10 pin connecter (salt & pepper shakers at the rear of the upper manifold).
c.) No power and the 10 pin connections are good: look for broken wiring between the orange/black wire on the ECC relay and the red wire for the 10 pin connectors.


4.) Spark & fuel pressure OK.

A.) Failed IAB (no airflow to start engine). Press the throttle ¼ way down and try to start the car.
B.) Failed computer (not very likely)
C.) Engine ignition or cam timing off: only likely if the engine has been worked on recently).
D.) Firing order off: HO & 351 use a different firing order from the non HO engines.
HO & 351W 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Non HO 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
E.) No start when hot - Press the throttle to the floor & try starting it if you get this far. If it starts, replace the ECT.
 

wildmandave

Member
Sep 15, 2005
70
2
8
largo,FL
Sep 19, 2005
#4
  • Sep 19, 2005
  • #4
wildmandave said:
My friend has a 93 5.0 with some kind of starting problem when it's cold. It doesn't always do it but he said he has to crank the ignition between 5-10 times to get it to start. He's replaced the regulator and the fuel pressure is set about 45 on 30lb. injectors. It has a fairly new bbk 255lph fuel pump (we are going to try another fuel pump today). Replaced msd blaster coil and 6al box. Has msd pro billet distributor. New fuel filter. Had a bad ground to coil but fixed it. Tryed bypassing 6al box but same result. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Ok we put a new fuel pump in and backed the fuel pressure down to 38#. It still won't start until the fifth time cranking it but seemed to run fine otherwise. Now this is starting to really stump me. Any suggestions would be great!
 

jrichker

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#5
  • Sep 19, 2005
  • #5
Go through the checklist I posted and find what doesn't work. There will be something, or else the engine would start on the first crank.
 

Zero_chance

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,244
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59
Maricopa, AZ
Sep 20, 2005
#6
  • Sep 20, 2005
  • #6
Like jrichker said, go through the checklist. If shes getting fuel air and a spark she should fire up on the first try. Has anyone messed with the timing recently?
 
P

Ponycar

Founding Member
May 4, 2002
90
0
0
Virginia Beach VA
Mar 17, 2006
#7
  • Mar 17, 2006
  • #7
the problem in my 89 was when it was cold out it would not start at all. but when it would warm up outside it would start fine, useta drive me crazy. the F/P relay was crapping out when it got too cold. replacement from Ford fixed the problem.
 
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