• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Problem starting 2002 GT

  • Thread starter Thread starter mode101
  • Start date Start date Nov 23, 2005
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
M

mode101

Member
Apr 13, 2003
202
0
16
Dallas, TX
Nov 23, 2005
#1
  • Nov 23, 2005
  • #1
I recently purchased a 2002 GT vert. The car has an intermittent problem starting. I turn the key, it cranks, but does not start. Sometimes after cranking for a few seconds, when I let the key go, it will decide to start, and spit/sputter to life.

I thought it might be the gas, or fuel filter. I have changed gas, gas stations, gas grades, and replaced the fuel filter. Still the same thing.

It does this maybe 1 out of 5 times to start it.

I did a search on this problem and found a few older threads with people reporitng the same thing, but did not really find a fix. I did notice that a lot of people with this problem had 2002 GTs.

I am open to any suggestions.

Thanks!
 

ponysarepretty

New Member
Jul 25, 2005
578
0
0
Nov 23, 2005
#2
  • Nov 23, 2005
  • #2
Probably a bad starter.

My car starts VERY easily, a couple of cranks or three on a bad day.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,950
224
Massachusetts
Nov 23, 2005
#3
  • Nov 23, 2005
  • #3
I think it's a common problem for the car to take longer to start when warm.

I notice my car that if i try to start my engine when hot after shutting it off for a few mins it will take a few extra seconds of cranking to get it fired and sometimes it stumbles. It happens rarely but it's embarrassing.

Doesn't happen often enough to make me take it in though. I seemed to have "cured" the problem by cycling the key once or twice before cranking it

Not sure if that's the same prob you are having
 
S

spederman

Member
Apr 13, 2005
732
0
16
Nov 23, 2005
#4
  • Nov 23, 2005
  • #4
i have the exact same problem. Nothing to worry about except that it is embarassing when it has to crank a bunch of times and then barely sounds like it started. Mine only does it when the engine is warmed up. The cure that i have found that has solved my problem 100%, (not saying it will work for everybody) is turning the key to the on position and letting that dinging sound go for about 4 times and then crank it over. Since i started doing that, it has never given me that problem again. I got this tip from somebody on here that had the same problem and it worked for them also. BTW i also have a 2002.
 
M

mode101

Member
Apr 13, 2003
202
0
16
Dallas, TX
Nov 23, 2005
#5
  • Nov 23, 2005
  • #5
spederman said:
i have the exact same problem. Nothing to worry about except that it is embarassing when it has to crank a bunch of times and then barely sounds like it started. Mine only does it when the engine is warmed up. The cure that i have found that has solved my problem 100%, (not saying it will work for everybody) is turning the key to the on position and letting that dinging sound go for about 4 times and then crank it over. Since i started doing that, it has never given me that problem again. I got this tip from somebody on here that had the same problem and it worked for them also. BTW i also have a 2002.
Click to expand...

By turning the key to the on position for a few seconds and that seems to correct the problem makes me think its the fuel pump. When you turn your car to the on position, can you hear the fuel pump come on?

Is the fuel pump in the gas tank on this car?

thanks!
 

bridge4d

New Member
Oct 27, 2005
11
0
0
Houston, TX
Nov 23, 2005
#6
  • Nov 23, 2005
  • #6
I'm having the exact same intermittent problem on my '02 GT 'vert. Although, I hadn't noticed that it does it when the engines warm. I seem to remember someone else on another forum mentioning that they had the same problem and solved it by cleaning the EGR valve? I'll give the key "on position" option a try.
 

ADRENLN

Active Member
Apr 16, 2003
2,342
3
49
NJ
Nov 23, 2005
#7
  • Nov 23, 2005
  • #7
had the prolem forever, there is no fix. turning the key didnt help mine. yea it more of a hot start. notice it when it happens, it will be right afetr you run in the store real quick or when you get gas.

mine seems to have went away on its own in all the mods ive done.
 

98V6 K.I.T.T.

Founding Member
Mar 6, 2001
2,049
0
46
Everett, Washington
Nov 23, 2005
#8
  • Nov 23, 2005
  • #8
I have the same problems....after it's been running for awhile I stop to go grab something come back and I'd say 80% of the time it will start with no problems, sometimes it will sput alittle bit..stumbling to fire but does. Oddly enough I do the same thing that was mentioned about keeping the key on the on position for alittle bit, and that seems to help. I figured that sensor or part doesn't flip on as quick as the key turns. Sucky part is nobody seems to know what the problem is. My best guess is something related to the fuel system. Clean your MAF is the only thing I can think of to check. I also believe that problem along the way either people with new Fuel Injectors and Fuel Pump that and possible a different tune have better luck. Don't seem to hear many people have this problem with a Diablo or SCT tuner. What sucks is being in the staging lanes of the drag strip....when you want to turn your car on and off to keep the engine cooler.
 

02LaserRed2V

New Member
Jul 30, 2004
379
1
0
Augusta, GA
Nov 23, 2005
#9
  • Nov 23, 2005
  • #9
This seems to be a 2002 Mustang GT only thing. I HAD the same problem as well. It'd start fine in the morning when cool. But while warm, it wouldn't start quickly. For example, I would make a quick stop to get some gas. I try to start the car to leave and it would "choke". Yeah, it was embarrassing at times.

But the problem went away after installing the KB! Maybe it's because I changed the fuel injectors, I dunno?
 

98V6 K.I.T.T.

Founding Member
Mar 6, 2001
2,049
0
46
Everett, Washington
Nov 24, 2005
#10
  • Nov 24, 2005
  • #10
02LaserRed2V said:
This seems to be a 2002 Mustang GT only thing. I HAD the same problem as well. It'd start fine in the morning when cool. But while warm, it wouldn't start quickly. For example, I would make a quick stop to get some gas. I try to start the car to leave and it would "choke". Yeah, it was embarrassing at times.

But the problem went away after installing the KB! Maybe it's because I changed the fuel injectors, I dunno?
Click to expand...

Just another reason why I think it's something with the Fuel injectors, that and or the stock tune. The funny thing is, if it was really something faulty in the fuel system parts, you should notice something while you are driving the car. Hesitation, poor idle etc. which I don't experience anything. Maybe Ford wanted that old school starting feel, you know a nice carb'd engine when starting up it doesn't sound like it will but once the gas get primed in the engine it does LOL.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,950
224
Massachusetts
Nov 24, 2005
#11
  • Nov 24, 2005
  • #11
My '03 does do it also once in a while
 

blackstalion666

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
177
0
0
New Jersey
Nov 24, 2005
#12
  • Nov 24, 2005
  • #12
i have the same problem with mine when i run into a store a come oout to leave its stumbles when i start but i also noticed that if you cycle the key a few times it doesnt happen. i thought ive seen a fix for it im gonna try to find it.
 
R

Rowlandp

New Member
Nov 24, 2005
2
0
0
Nov 24, 2005
#13
  • Nov 24, 2005
  • #13
I have an 04 GT and had the same problem and took it to Ford . They said the starter had a bad spot in it and replaced the starter. I only had 8K, so it was a brand new starter.
 

Serper3

New Member
Nov 1, 2005
120
0
0
Sunnyvale, Ca Bay Area close to san francisco
Nov 25, 2005
#14
  • Nov 25, 2005
  • #14
i think something similar happens to me. when my car is warm, and i try to start it, rarely i have to keep the key on longer or try twice and when it catches, its kinda slow and it takes a while for the rpm;s to get to the normal idle. what i usually do now, is i crank it for the usuall amount and if its kinda sputtering to get to idle rpm, i rev the engine/blimp the gas, and it goes back to normal. i have an 01 btw.
 
K

kim meadows

Founding Member
Aug 20, 2002
82
0
0
Nov 28, 2005
#15
  • Nov 28, 2005
  • #15
98 gt here, every once in a while after turning the key my won't start, i have to press and hold the gas to keep it going, will die if i stop pressing the gas, then all of a sudden, i can hear something kick on and it will idle by itself

mode101 said he changed gas and the fuel filter and had no luck, those were my guesses, but later he's guessing fuel pump, is there an adjustment to a fuel pump, something to clean, or is it just replace it?

thanks
 

silentbullitt

New Member
Apr 17, 2005
63
0
0
san antonio
Nov 29, 2005
#16
  • Nov 29, 2005
  • #16
My bullitt does it every once and a while.
 

rebelleader

New Member
Mar 18, 2003
185
0
0
Homer Glen, Il
Dec 13, 2005
#17
  • Dec 13, 2005
  • #17
Anyone figure out what is going on here? I am starting to have the same problem. It happensto me just as others have stated but also it has been happening to me first thing in the morning.
 
M

mode101

Member
Apr 13, 2003
202
0
16
Dallas, TX
Dec 25, 2005
#18
  • Dec 25, 2005
  • #18
ttt
 
0

02GTRX

I told an admin to shut up...now I live with the S
20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 27, 2004
213
8
19
Dec 25, 2005
#19
  • Dec 25, 2005
  • #19
I have an 02 and also posted about this problem. Only trouble code I was getting was a fualty cam position sensor so I replaced it and it still did it, 3 ford techs later the ALTERNATOR was replaced and PROBLEM SOLVED!
 

Stang|ess

seeking cyber partner(s)
Oct 18, 2003
941
0
37
Hawaii
Dec 26, 2005
#20
  • Dec 26, 2005
  • #20
my 04 does it once in a great while. I let the thing ding, and step on the gas a few times and fire her up.

alternator solved the problem? sounds interesting.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
1997 V6 Starting issue
  • leanzik04
  • Mar 20, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
251
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Mar 20, 2026
Noobz347
F
2004 Mustang GT – Fuel Pump Not Priming
  • Fayio
  • Apr 22, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
318
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Apr 27, 2026
n0v8or
N
A
02 gt no start problem
  • ANT'S GT
  • Jul 2, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
192
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 2, 2025
ANT'S GT
A
S
Need help asap
  • shaggyman65
  • Dec 24, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
261
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Dec 24, 2025
shaggyman65
S
N
Engine 86 GT no start/stall
  • nweber
  • Jul 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
117
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 29, 2026
AeroCoupe
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?