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Starting Issue

Bronco Boy

Bronco Boy

Donating Users
Vehicle: 2002 GT 3.8L n/a

Issue: When starting, warm or cold, sometimes she fires then stalls on the first crank. Second crank she fires right up.

This has been a minor issue for about a year or so as it happened only once in a while. Over the past 2-3 months, it is happening more frequently, and most of the time the second crank barely gets her running; low rpm and mild sputtering. After about 10 seconds she is running fine.

No DTC's at all.

Any thoughts or ideas where to start? In my head I think it is a bad or weak sensor, but that's just a random guess. Maybe that K&N CAI is letting to much air in? LOL
 


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No, just prime the fuel system like normal but twice.

Turning the key to ON will prime the pump/lines for 2 seconds, then stop. Do that twice and see if it helps any.
 


Start with some diagnostic work. Check for spark. Check for fuel.

Spark
Hook up a timing light and have someone start it while you check each wire for strong rhythmic pulses. Or use a scrap spark plug and test each wire grounding out the sparkplug. Use electrician's gloves or you will get a good jolt if it grounds through you instead! LOL

Fuel
Measure fuel pressure while sitting (slow leakdown), while starting, and while idling. Could be pump going out or losing prime. Pull each injector and use a tester to measure resistance of injector and if it is getting pulses from ECM.

Of course all the usual maintenance stuff. Good plugs, wires, O2, cleaned TB, connections clean and tight, etc need to be done and ruled out.
 
Fivefingerdeathpunch said:
Double prime the fuel system and see what happens.

Fuel pressure regulator could be going bad.
Click to expand...
So, when I remember to do this, it does start right away.

When cold, starts right away.

I got gas today, and she started right up after I filled up. Not sure if this has any relevance.

When I don't double prime, she can take 3-5 times before starting, and then I get the light wiff of fuel.

I will swap out the regulator and see if it fixes the problem.
 
Before you go buying an expensive regulator, pull the vac hose off of the regulator and see if its wet with gas. If it is then replace it. If not then it might be the pump going out.
 
Swiggles said:
Before you go buying an expensive regulator, pull the vac hose off of the regulator and see if its wet with gas. If it is then replace it. If not then it might be the pump going out.
Click to expand...
The hose is dry inside and out and there doesn't appear to be any remnants of fuel.

I can't even find a regulator that looks like mine.

I've also noticed that if I hold the key and crank for an extra second or so, she seems to start ok.
 


There is no valve on the regulator.

Look at that picture, you can see the snap ring holding the regulator is place. Remove the snap ring and the FPR comes straight out the top.
 


It can be a pain getting it out, twist and wiggle, and the new can be a pain going in because the oring is new, a little oil on the rings will help them slide in.

That valve is mounted on the outside of where the regulator sits in.
 
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