2000 Taurus Wagon Hard To Start 3.0 24V - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

tglass · 08-11-2009, 10:37

2000 3.0 24v Wagon is hard to start, sometimes. The starter turns fine, sometimes it fires fine, sometimes it turns and turns then fires, sometimes
it stutters then starts. Have replaced cam and crank sensor, no OBD codes, cleaned everything in line from air filter to intake. Has good fuel pressure and
new pump about a year ago. Good spark. Real Mystery! Even a local mechanic has had in shop for a week and cannot find the problem.

**chipset** · 08-11-2009, 15:22

have you checked for a cracked shorted coil pack ?

tglass · 08-11-2009, 16:37

No I haven't. Are you thinking it could affect the starting depending
on weather, heat, etc?

Thanks
Tom Glass

Sterling_Six · 08-12-2009, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by tglass

2000 3.0 24v Wagon is hard to start, sometimes. The starter turns fine, sometimes it fires fine, sometimes it turns and turns then fires, sometimes
it stutters then starts. Have replaced cam and crank sensor, no OBD codes, cleaned everything in line from air filter to intake. Has good fuel pressure and
new pump about a year ago. Good spark. Real Mystery! Even a local mechanic has had in shop for a week and cannot find the problem.

Hello and good day:

Have you checked for any Vacume Leaks??

No CEL ...?? Check you MAS , and Cam Sensor....

tglass · 08-12-2009, 17:06

I have cleaned and checked the mass airflow sensor, no issues there, and as mentioned in the post replaced the crank AND cam sensor. Thanks

tomw · 08-13-2009, 05:06

You can check if you have a fuel problem causing hard starting by cycling the ignition from "OFF" to "ON" to "OFF" and so on for a half dozen times before trying to start the engine. Each time, the fuel pump will run for a few seconds. If you have a drainback problem, where the fuel rail is emptied out after sitting, this could re-fill the rail, and provide fuel immediately. If this cures your problem, you are losing fuel pressure over time.
tom

tglass · 08-13-2009, 16:45

Thanks TomW.

I have done just that and at times it seemed it was making a difference,
at others it didn't. The 24V 3.0 does not have a fuel return line or
pressure regulator of the traditional type. It has a pulse type system.
With a pressure gauge on the schrader valve cycling the key over and
over bumps the pressure by about 5psi each time. When it reaches
about 55psi it stops. The pressure does not drop if left to sit.

Thanks again
Tom Glass

tomw · 08-14-2009, 06:14

Back to basics. Fuel, air, and spark are required. One would have to think that the air part is handled.. So, that leaves fuel and spark. As intermittent as you describe this, I would vote for spark going astray. There's the answer. I'll leave the details up to you. Heh.

Honestly, if you have fuel pressure, and the injectors are firing all the time, all that is left is spark... You have checked the injectors for having good voltage alla time?? The ECM provides ground for the circuit, so there should be 12v at the injectors. Noid light?
tom

tglass · 08-14-2009, 09:25

TomW,

Have thought about spark issues, but if there was even an intermittant problem with electronics would I not get an OBD code? I have not to read a code of any sort at any occasion this has happened.

Thanks
Tom Glass

tglass · 08-18-2009, 18:10

Any other ideas out there?????

This one has stumped me and my local mechanic!!!