EF Futura Warm Starting problem - Ford Forums

Swampy · 03-04-2003, 05:52

I have a 95 EF Futura which is and has been a fantastic car.

One little gripe is that it has developed a problem that when trying to start the car when the engine is still warm, it cranks & spins but just won't start. It sounds like it is close to starting in that it spins quite fast but just won't fire to catch on.

As soon as you stop cranking, turn the key off then back on and try & start it fires instantly.

It never has a problem when cold, but nearly always does it when warm.

It's certainly not a huge problem and the car has never let me down, as I know that as soon as you turn the key off, then try again it starts straight away.

At first I thought that maybe the fuel is vapourising, but then why would it start straight after turning the key off then back on again? And why would it start to do it lately as it never used to do it when the car was new?

I had though of resetting the computor (disconnect the battery for 10 minutes etc) but am reluctant to do so as I have heard that the computor takes some time to relearn and it is mainly my wife that drives this car & not me.

Maybe a faulty sensor or something?

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Swampy

TopGhia · 03-04-2003, 13:17

Swampy,
When you start it when warm, turn it on and wait 5 seconds before engaging the starter, see what happens.

Swampy · 03-05-2003, 04:22

Will give that a try, and report back.

Thanks

Swampy

Swampy · 03-11-2003, 05:56

Hello again Topghia

Well, have repeatedly tried waiting the five seconds with the ignition turned on before cranking and absolutely no difference.

Still won't start.

Any thoughts as to what it may be?

Thanks

Swampy

TopGhia · 03-11-2003, 10:50

Usually these hot start problems are sometimes caused by the coil breaking down when hot, but you said it starts straight away on the second attempt, so it can't be that.

I was thinking fuel pressure that's the reason for my 5 second delay routine, but evidently that's not it.

Can't think of what it could be, maybe someone else has had a similar problem and can give us a clue.

Stay tuned.

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 03-11-2003, 13:43

well i have been having a similar problem since converting to mpfi, however mine does it cold or hot, mine will just keep on cranking and not fire, as soon as I stop, then try again she'll fire straight away. With the car idling, try switching it off, wait a max of 3 seconds ( or until fuel pump stops ) and switch it back on, if it starts first hit u may have a fuel pressure problem.

**donuts2001** · 03-11-2003, 19:52

Sounds like a fuel pressure problem.

When you turn the key from off to ignition the fuel pump turns on for 1 second to re-pressurise the fuel rail. If the fuel pressure in the rail is really low, you'll need to turn the key from off to ignition a couple of times before the rail is fully re-pressurised.

I'd be checking the fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump or injectors because one of these is not working properly and letting fuel out.

Swampy · 03-12-2003, 04:18

Thanks for the replies.

To eliminate the possibility of low fuel pressure at warm start up I will turn the key on, leave for 3 seconds, turn off then repeat a few times before cranking it and will see how that goes.

But if it was low fuel pressure, wouldn't it have the same problem when cold, although it doesn't?

Thanks

Swampy

TopGhia · 03-12-2003, 13:15

Prolly, try what you suggest and that will eliminate that possibility.

I6 and the V8 have different ignition systems, watcha got?

!Gn|T|0n · 03-12-2003, 14:21

Hey Swampy,

I know 1st hand how frustrating a starting problem can be, I've spent about 7 months trying to eliminate mine and although mine seems to occur under different circumstances I've included my thread as there are so many suggestions for things to look for.
EL Fairmont starting problem - HELP!

I�m basically living with it; just doing the ignition-on-off-on-off thing keeps me sane.

A few things to check...
fuel pump relay, clogged injectors, see if it's easier to start with a full tank of fuel (mine seems to get cranky as the level got low). Also does the angle of the car matter (elevating the rear of mine by 30deg helped!), fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator�.

What about immobilisation? Is the BEM telling the ECU to allow injectors to open? Is your CILA ok? I don't know, considering the thing works 2nd try, you may have and electrical gremlin, not fuel. Try a noid light anyway. Is there black smoke from exhaust when she cranks (rich mixture)? Coolant temp sensor? Tried new plugs, leads etc?

Just out of interest guys, is there an easy way to extend the amount of time that the fuel pump initially spins for in order to pressurise the fuel rail? I mean it only spins for a second or so and I find that when cold I need to ignition-on-ignition-off a few times to get a *reasonable* start (it's all in the wrist :) ).

A software tweak is too much trouble � despite the fact that I spend every day writing software!