YACT: What the hell just happened?

[Fausto]

I hop into my Explorer today to leave work. Turn the key, engine catches for a milisecond and then dies. I try again. Nothing. No amount of cranking the engine will get it to start or even sound like it's catching (starter is turning over just fine). I whip out the manual, and it looks like maybe there's a problem with the passive anti-theft system (if it doesn't recognize the key, it won't start). I dick around with it for another 10 min and finally decide to give it some gas as I'm turning the key. Car finally catches and starts. No further problems on the way home.

Details:

*Car is a 2000 Explorer SOHC w/64,000 miles.

*No previous problems like this that I know of.

*It's very cold (about 40F) and damp out

*car had been sitting for about 8 hours

*wife filled the car up last night

*battery has plenty of juice

What happened? Is this normal for a car to just not be getting fuel while trying to start it like that on occcasion?

 

[Argo]

Ok, i could be talking uot of my ass, but if it's a SOHC engine could that be because of the cold?

 

[bigalt]

*It's very cold (about 40F) and damp out

sorry i know nothing about cars, i just found that line amusing.

sounded to me like a completely dead or disconnected battery, but they don't just reconnect themselves.

in the future remember the trick to bang your head against the steering wheel.

 

[Mr N8]

40F is really not that cold for an engine. I have a similar engine in my crown vic, and it starts fine at temps below 0F.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: bigalt

*It's very cold (about 40F) and damp out

sorry i know nothing about cars, i just found that line amusing.

sounded to me like a completely dead or disconnected battery, but they don't just reconnect themselves.

in the future remember the trick to bang your head against the steering wheel.

Nope. The starter was cranking away just fine so the battery's OK. Somehow the engine wasn't getting gas and I don't know why.

 

[cyclistca]

It probably has something to do with it being a Ford?

<----- Puts flame suit on

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
40F is really not that cold for an engine. I have a similar engine in my crown vic, and it starts fine at temps below 0F.

I know. This car has spent most of its life in Indianapolis with no problems (which is colder than GA in the winter). I just stated the ambient temp for the sake of completeness.

 

[Vortex22]

Originally posted by: Fausto

Originally posted by: bigalt

*It's very cold (about 40F) and damp out

sorry i know nothing about cars, i just found that line amusing.

sounded to me like a completely dead or disconnected battery, but they don't just reconnect themselves.

in the future remember the trick to bang your head against the steering wheel.

Nope. The starter was cranking away just fine so the battery's OK. Somehow the engine wasn't getting gas and I don't know why.

Uhh, fuel pump? I have no clue.
Or maybe dirty injectors...

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: bigalt

*It's very cold (about 40F) and damp out

sorry i know nothing about cars, i just found that line amusing.

sounded to me like a completely dead or disconnected battery, but they don't just reconnect themselves.

in the future remember the trick to bang your head against the steering wheel.

LOL. I knew Northerns (a former Yankee myself) would find that line amusing. Yeah, 40 degrees to us is cold. LOL

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Fausto

Originally posted by: bigalt

*It's very cold (about 40F) and damp out

sorry i know nothing about cars, i just found that line amusing.

sounded to me like a completely dead or disconnected battery, but they don't just reconnect themselves.

in the future remember the trick to bang your head against the steering wheel.

Nope. The starter was cranking away just fine so the battery's OK. Somehow the engine wasn't getting gas and I don't know why.

Bad gas, low gas pressure, valve blockage, injector blockage, or it simply didn't have a brick.

*Looks outside at the 20f temps... brrrrr.....

 

[Bulk Beef]

Are you saying the starter was spinning but the engine wasn't turning over, b/c that would suggest a starter clutch (or drive, or bendix, or whatever you want to call it) that was acting goofy.

 

[iamwiz82]

was it cranking over or was it whirring like an electric motor?

 

[Vic]

I think it was just a fluke. The ECU probably didn't initialize the start sequence properly and the engine wasn't getting gas. If it never happens again (or only happens once in the rare blue moon) then don't worry about it.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

One of Roger's tips: This is a shot in the dark. Disconnect the battery for 15 minuets.
This will permit the ECU to reboot and then drive it for 15 minuets. This will stabilize
the ECU.

If while it was setting it got to freezing and if the last gas had some water in it.
Some may have frozen in the fuel pump, keeping it from spinning, if only briefly.
If you think this may be the case, add something to the gas that will clear the water
out of the fuel system. Notice the ifs and mays............


EDIT: A site worth bookmarkingTOOLBOX Lots of service bullitin here.....

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
was it cranking over or was it whirring like an electric motor?

It was cranking (turning the engine over), just not catching.

 

[Ornery]

My 1988 E-150 went through a similar problem on and off for a few years. This was the latest. My wondrous mechanic threw a bunch of parts at it, but ultimately never fixed it. I finally decided to replace the ignition coil. In the process, I saw quite a bit of corrosion on the connector to the coil. I cleaned the socket and plug very thoroughly. Either the cleaning or new coil did the trick. I doubt I'll be going back to my mechanic friend. That's a 20 year relationship ended right there!

I doubt your ignition is anything like mine, but my problem was electrical, not fuel related. You could try spraying some ether in the carb while it's cranking, the next time it won't start. If that works, your problem is fuel related. Could be fuel pump or God knows what else. Good luck!

 

[Ronstang]

Fuel injeted cars do not require you pumping the gas to get them started as fuel is handled thru the injectors of course and air is metered by the Idle Air Bypass or Idle Speed Control, whatever they are calling it this week. Since giving it gas was required to start it you probably had a problem with the Idle Air Bypass, either a fluke or it is beginning to fail. If this condition contimues or you have erratic/hunting idle speed then you definitely need to replace the Idle Air Bypass.

 

[shekondar]

Originally posted by: sward666
Are you saying the starter was spinning but the engine wasn't turning over, b/c that would suggest a starter clutch (or drive, or bendix, or whatever you want to call it) that was acting goofy.

It's called a starter solenoid. And yes, it sounds like that's the problem.

 

[GroundZero]

Originally posted by: cyclistca
It probably has something to do with it being a Ford?

<----- Puts flame suit on

fix or repair daily
found on road dead
fvcked over rebuilt dodge
etc etc etc...



sounds like you might have had a vapor lock in the fuel system

 

[Bulk Beef]

Originally posted by: shekondar

Originally posted by: sward666
Are you saying the starter was spinning but the engine wasn't turning over, b/c that would suggest a starter clutch (or drive, or bendix, or whatever you want to call it) that was acting goofy.

It's called a starter solenoid. And yes, it sounds like that's the problem.

The solenoid is an electrical part, the clutch (or drive, or bendix, or whatever you want to call it) is a mechanical part. On some (most domestics I've seen) starter motors, the two are one unit; on others they are separate, in which case the solenoid may not even be anywhere near the starter.

But it's a moot point, as the starter motor was actually turning the engine over.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: GroundZero

Originally posted by: cyclistca
It probably has something to do with it being a Ford?

<----- Puts flame suit on

fix or repair daily
found on road dead
fvcked over rebuilt dodge
etc etc etc...



sounds like you might have had a vapor lock in the fuel system

Doesn't vapor lock only happen in carberated engines and when the engine is warm?

I'd take an Explorer over a Blazer any day of the week. Blazers suck.

 

[Cyberian]

Where is notfred?
He would be rolling in the aisles at many of these wild-ass guesses!!

 

[Viperoni]

I've had a similar situation in my 91 topaz once every few weeks or month, and it's nothing to worry about, especially if it drives fine. It could very well be a little bit of corrosion somewhere. It's very hard to say what's the problem without being able to narrow it down to the fuel or ignition systems, one of which was causing the problem.

 

[fumbduck]

You need a new thermal vector refence transmitter.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: GroundZero

Originally posted by: cyclistca
It probably has something to do with it being a Ford?

<----- Puts flame suit on

fix or repair daily
found on road dead
fvcked over rebuilt dodge
etc etc etc...



sounds like you might have had a vapor lock in the fuel system

Doesn't vapor lock only happen in carberated engines and when the engine is warm?

I'd take an Explorer over a Blazer any day of the week. Blazers suck.

I have seen vapor lock on a Jeep whose fuel line was not properly run because it ran close enough to the exhaust. It would run fine for 15 minutes or so and then die. Took awhile to figure that one out.