Question about starting...

[drew_shipley]

Problem starting car...

I own a 2001 Bullitt and only sometimes (but enough to worry me) when I turn the key it turns over but doesn't fire. Sometimes I have to crank it twice and eventually it will start. What do you guys think?

 

[drew_shipley]

Anyone?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Does it only do this when the engine is hot?

 

[tomustang]

How long has the problem been happening?

 

[drew_shipley]

I got the car about a week ago. It happens at random times. Yesterday it was fine all day, but after letting the car sit for a while (couple of hours) it hesistated. This morning it fired right up.

 

[drew_shipley]

Any ideas?

 

[forpit2000gt]

do you haver to cycle the keyswitch on a couple of times or does it just take a few seconds to crank? How many miles?

 

[drew_shipley]

49,000 miles sometime I have to crank it twice. Most of the time it will hesitate for a bit then slowly start up.

 

[forpit2000gt]

wouldn't hurt to install a new fuel filter. some cars seem to do this more than others. My 2000 did this from day one. Sometimes it cranks right up and others it cranked for 2 or 3 sec. before it cranked. If fuel filter is replaced or known to be good then it may be normal or the crank sensor may be going bad. It may also be normal. ( Thats not much help I guess)
Its normal for my car, I don't know how long it takes on yours. In simple terms, the computer guesses as to whether or not the sensor is at number 1 cylinder or number 5 cylinder when you crank your car. If the wrong one it takes a couple of seconds and it fires correctly and the car cranks. It has a 50/50 chance of getting it right the first time.

 

[drew_shipley]

Well last night the car wouldn't start for a good 5 minutes. I turned the key, let it crank a few times, nothing. Tried it again, nothing. Gave it some gas while it cranked and the engine reved up but once the rpms came back down, nothing. It would not idle. I let it sit for a minute or two and tried again and it slowly fired up.

This morning it fired right up. It has been fine all day. I took it to Ford and talkedto them about it. Between me and the tech we basically agree it's one of the following:

1. Wiring
2. MAF
3. IAT
4. TPS
5. Crank Sensor

I looked for any visable wiring problems and can't find any. What should I do next?

 

[forpit2000gt]

have you checked the IAC?

 

[drew_shipley]

I wiring to it looks fine. I'm assuming it works as my car starts up fine most of the time. How can I tell if there's a problem with it?

 

[mac1009]

Did they pull codes? There may have been a code w/out a CEL.

 

[forpit2000gt]

I wiring to it looks fine. I'm assuming it works as my car starts up fine most of the time. How can I tell if there's a problem with it?

When it will not start, pop hood , use the handle of a screwdriver and wack the IAC once or twice, then try to start again. If it starts, that is most likely your problem.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I do not think it is the IAC. Usually if the IAC has a problem it will start up ok but will die instead of idling properly, you have to constantly give it gas to keep it running when the IAC is stuck.

 

[flashstang04]

Is your timing set stock??