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Car hard to start when hot, how to fix it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter '13_ImpactBlue_GT
  • Start date Start date Apr 24, 2009

'13_ImpactBlue_GT

Angry Little Elf
Mar 30, 2005
872
2
98
Where the men are men and the sheep are nervous
Apr 24, 2009
#1
  • Apr 24, 2009
  • #1
Has anyone attempted to solve the problem that some 99-04 GT's have when trying to restart the car when the motor is hot?

(Edit) I have done the trick of turning the switch to start without cranking it until the odometer lights up.
 

streethorse

15 Year Member
Oct 8, 2005
1,042
6
58
Dallas Texas
Apr 24, 2009
#2
  • Apr 24, 2009
  • #2
that is the first sign of a weak battery, is it stiil the factory issue?
Just my guess. And what about your spark plugs, I tried some Boush plugs a while back and
after about 10k the car became slow to start, changed back to motorcraft and it starts instantly.
 

'13_ImpactBlue_GT

Angry Little Elf
Mar 30, 2005
872
2
98
Where the men are men and the sheep are nervous
Apr 24, 2009
#3
  • Apr 24, 2009
  • #3
Factory plugs as far as I know.
Dont know about the battery.
 

streethorse

15 Year Member
Oct 8, 2005
1,042
6
58
Dallas Texas
Apr 24, 2009
#4
  • Apr 24, 2009
  • #4
If its Motorcraft its the original, Try hooking up some jump cables
let it charge for a couple of minutes before trying to start and see what happens.
 

PULMEOVR

I need a bigger E-Penis.
Sep 29, 2003
560
0
27
Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Apr 24, 2009
#5
  • Apr 24, 2009
  • #5
It's not battery related. Mine always had the hot-start problem, and even after changing over to a fresh battery last month, the problem still exists.
 
R

ran260gt

New Member
Sep 7, 2005
365
0
0
Apr 24, 2009
#6
  • Apr 24, 2009
  • #6
On My Mustang, it seems to do it after a short drive on really hot days , but not all the time!

Its just something about the Modular engines , my mustang has been doing it as long as I have owned it , early 05 !

I guess deal with it , It always starts on the second try
 

'13_ImpactBlue_GT

Angry Little Elf
Mar 30, 2005
872
2
98
Where the men are men and the sheep are nervous
Apr 24, 2009
#7
  • Apr 24, 2009
  • #7
I guess so.
 

Flghtmstr1

Member
Mar 31, 2005
572
4
19
Springfield, PA
Apr 25, 2009
#8
  • Apr 25, 2009
  • #8
Mine has always done it. It's just one of the "quirks" of the 2v engine.
 
G

GT Tommy

New Member
Aug 15, 2008
190
0
0
Apr 26, 2009
#9
  • Apr 26, 2009
  • #9
Hard Startig when hot?

I'm wondering if it is a fuel related problem. I notice that some cars will start up better if you turn your ignition switch to the on position for a couple seconds first, then to the start or run position. What this does is allows your fuel pump to energize and build up the required fuel pressure in the fuel line to start the engine. Some fuel systems will retain the fuel pressure in the fuel line much longer than others after the engine is turned off. When the engine is hot, I would think that it would lose fuel pressure more rapidly through evaporation than it would when it is cold. I would say for those of you who are experiencing these same symptoms, get the fuel pressure test gauge kit that Ford sells, and check you fuel pressure at your fuel rail when the engine is cold, and when is hot, to see what the difference in pressure is. Not sure what the values are, however, after your engine is turned off from running, it is suppose to hold a specified amount of fuel pressure for a given amount of time. If your fuel pressure in the line drops down too quickly, that would indicate a problem in the system. I will do some checking to see what the values are and post it here if I find something. If someone already knows what those values are, perhaps they can also post it here. For those who are experiencing these same symtoms, perhaps you would try turning your ignition switch to the on position for a couple of seconds first, then try starting your engine after that. If your engine starts up right away, then you know that your problem is fuel related. Let us know what your results are. Thank you and good luck, Tommy.
 
G

GT Tommy

New Member
Aug 15, 2008
190
0
0
Apr 26, 2009
#10
  • Apr 26, 2009
  • #10
Hard Startig when hot?

Here's what I found concerning the Fuel Pressure Leak Down Values. For EXAMPLE: If you had a fuel pressure gauge installed on your fuel rail, and you start your engine and you note that the fuel pressure reading at idle is a steady 40 psi, which is normal, that is good. However, when you turn off your engine, if you lose 5 psi of that 40 psi in one minute after you turned off your engine, that indicates a fuel pressure leak somewhere. Your fuel system cannot lose more than 5 psi of that 40 psi within one minute after you turn off your engine. If it does, that would indicate a leak somewhere in the system. The leak could be anywhere. Area's that come to mind right away, would be your Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor, your Fuel Pressure Regulator, or your Fuel Injectors could be leaking. So, for those who experience hard starting when your engine is hot or cold, this could be your problem. If you want to know for sure, you will have to purchase a fuel pressure gauge tester. To avoid running into installation problems, I would recommend getting the correct fuel pressure gauge kit made for Ford vehicles. The one shown below in the drawing is made for Ford vehicles. I would think it would be available from the Ford Parts Dept, not absolutely sure. Perhaps you already have one that will work for your Ford system. Good luck, Tommy.

View attachment 260454
 

Pearl02

Member
Nov 27, 2004
496
0
16
Kansas City
Apr 26, 2009
#11
  • Apr 26, 2009
  • #11
I have one that works on Ford, Chevy and Dodge/Chrysler products. Will that work on the Satng if I needed it? I haven't had to use it on the Stang. I have used it on a friends Ford. Pearl02.
 
G

GT Tommy

New Member
Aug 15, 2008
190
0
0
Apr 26, 2009
#12
  • Apr 26, 2009
  • #12
Will it work for a Stang?

Pearl02 said:
I have one that works on Ford, Chevy and Dodge/Chrysler products. Will that work on the Satng if I needed it? I haven't had to use it on the Stang. I have used it on a friends Ford. Pearl02.
Click to expand...

I have no idea if the one that you have will work for the Mustang. Perhaps you should contact the store where you purchased it from and ask them. Does it have a brand name and part number on it? Let me know, I can check to find info on it, Tommy.
 

Brute03

Member
Mar 20, 2006
232
0
16
Apr 27, 2009
#13
  • Apr 27, 2009
  • #13
i've had that prob for a while now, it's kinda embarassing at the gas station. FWIW my fuel pressure at idle bounces arond 32 psi and i think that might be a little low
 
G

GT Tommy

New Member
Aug 15, 2008
190
0
0
Apr 27, 2009
#14
  • Apr 27, 2009
  • #14
Fuel Pressure Value!

From what I read, the fuel pressure should be between 35 psi and 70 psi for a 2003 GT Mustang. I will recheck that value and re-post here. Good luck, Tommy.
 

Flghtmstr1

Member
Mar 31, 2005
572
4
19
Springfield, PA
Apr 27, 2009
#15
  • Apr 27, 2009
  • #15
Brute03 said:
i've had that prob for a while now, it's kinda embarassing at the gas station. FWIW my fuel pressure at idle bounces arond 32 psi and i think that might be a little low
Click to expand...

Mine is also 32 psi at idle.
 
G

GT Tommy

New Member
Aug 15, 2008
190
0
0
Apr 28, 2009
#16
  • Apr 28, 2009
  • #16
Fuel Pressure Chart!

Here are some Ford fuel pressure values from AllData. Click on the bar above the chart to enlarge it. Hope this helps!

 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
Apr 28, 2009
#17
  • Apr 28, 2009
  • #17
I think it's the calibration in the PCM. That 4-character code on your passenger door and on the PCM itself is what I'm talking about. Mine, an 02 GT, used to do this when basically stock (perhaps a few bolt ons...) with the factory MDE2 calibration. I had it dyno tuned and the shop used an MDE3 cal as the starting point. From that point on, I never had another hot-start issue. More recently, I had the Kenne Bell installed and when I filled in the card to send to KB for the tune, I indicated my car had the MDE2 calibration. They built the blower tune around that cal and guess what...the hot start issue is rearing its head again.

In my case, I don't think it's the fuel pump, the injectors, or any other fuel issue. I don't know what it is inside the cal but it certainly seems to follow the MDE2 tune.
 
G

GT Tommy

New Member
Aug 15, 2008
190
0
0
Apr 28, 2009
#18
  • Apr 28, 2009
  • #18
Hard Startig when hot?

Yes, we certainly can't rule out some type electrical problem as well. The cause could be a number of things. That's why it is so difficult to pin point. As mentioned in a previous thread, one quick way to check to see if the problem may be with the fuel system, is to try turning your ignition switch to the on position for approximately 2 seconds, then try starting your engine after that. If you find that your engine does indeed start up faster using this method, this may be an indication that your fuel system needs that extra time to build the required amount of fuel pressure in the system for the engine to start up right away. This could also mean that when you turn off your engine, your fuel pressure in your fuel line may be dropping faster than it should. Just something to think about. Good luck, Tommy.
 

louredion

New Member
May 12, 2017
2
0
1
May 12, 2017
#19
  • May 12, 2017
  • #19
PULMEOVR said:
It's not battery related. Mine always had the hot-start problem, and even after changing over to a fresh battery last month, the problem still exists.
Click to expand...
 

louredion

New Member
May 12, 2017
2
0
1
May 12, 2017
#20
  • May 12, 2017
  • #20
i have a 98 mustang gt which was easy to start when cold but hard to start when engine hot, was happening for a couple years. Last month my car wouldn't start ..It cranks fine. So I changed my fuel pump and then it started but still had trouble starting when engine is hot. I replaced the purge flow sensor and purge solenoid. still wasn't fixed. then changed out the ignition coils, still not fixed. I finally changed out the camshaft position sensor. It fires up quick every time now. Just want to share my car issues with everyone. Hope this helps!!
 
Last edited: May 12, 2017
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