Won't Start Suddenly - Starter Fluid Won't Help
12-18-2014, 06:13 PM
#11
12-29-2014, 02:27 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: CO
Posts: 6
Hello All,
Good news! I was able to get things working over the holidays when I finally had some time to check things out. It ended up being an issue with the ignition coil. I replaced the old coil with a new Motorcraft part, and this got her starting right up. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions on what turned out to be a fairly simple fix.
Long Story, or as Paul Harvey put it... The rest of the story:
In thinking about the issue, it never seemed like it was running poorly or missing certain cylinders. Sparking at start up sort of slowly declined to where only starter fluid would help, and then to where nothing worked. Since no check engine signals occurred, I assumed it was not a sensor (this may be a bad assumption). The more I read up on the problem, the more I found the ignition coil could be a viable culprit. When Advanced Auto had a deal after Christmas, it seemed like a decent gamble for $60 ($100-$40) and the little bit of time it would take to disconnect the battery and change a part that is only secured by 3 bolts. After firing right up the first go round, it only took two subsequent test starts to make me a believer. This morning's drive to work was an unexpected pleasure, regardless of the snow on the ground testing my notoriously bad winter warrior!
Hopefully this will be my only issue for a while, but it is good to know there are generous people willing to take some time to help troubleshoot when problems do arise.
Thanks Again and Have a Marvelous 2015!
Brad
Good news! I was able to get things working over the holidays when I finally had some time to check things out. It ended up being an issue with the ignition coil. I replaced the old coil with a new Motorcraft part, and this got her starting right up. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions on what turned out to be a fairly simple fix.
Long Story, or as Paul Harvey put it... The rest of the story:
In thinking about the issue, it never seemed like it was running poorly or missing certain cylinders. Sparking at start up sort of slowly declined to where only starter fluid would help, and then to where nothing worked. Since no check engine signals occurred, I assumed it was not a sensor (this may be a bad assumption). The more I read up on the problem, the more I found the ignition coil could be a viable culprit. When Advanced Auto had a deal after Christmas, it seemed like a decent gamble for $60 ($100-$40) and the little bit of time it would take to disconnect the battery and change a part that is only secured by 3 bolts. After firing right up the first go round, it only took two subsequent test starts to make me a believer. This morning's drive to work was an unexpected pleasure, regardless of the snow on the ground testing my notoriously bad winter warrior!
Hopefully this will be my only issue for a while, but it is good to know there are generous people willing to take some time to help troubleshoot when problems do arise.
Thanks Again and Have a Marvelous 2015!
Brad
12-30-2014, 10:30 AM
#14
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: CO
Posts: 6
Back to the ol' drawing board...
My car got me to work, but she apparently didn't want me leaving yesterday. When I was heading out, she wouldn't start once again. I didn't perform much diagnosis though, on account of the 2 or 3 degree temperature at that point.
It started perfectly all four times in my garage (heated to about 55 degrees), and ran like new for the 15 miles to work (stop and go as well as highway driving).
Cold weather issue? Something shorting before the coil pack or possibly frying the new pack? Just seems strange...
My car got me to work, but she apparently didn't want me leaving yesterday. When I was heading out, she wouldn't start once again. I didn't perform much diagnosis though, on account of the 2 or 3 degree temperature at that point.
It started perfectly all four times in my garage (heated to about 55 degrees), and ran like new for the 15 miles to work (stop and go as well as highway driving).
Cold weather issue? Something shorting before the coil pack or possibly frying the new pack? Just seems strange...
01-07-2015, 12:35 AM
#16
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: CO
Posts: 6
It will crank and crank, but no fire. Bought a code reader and no output since I never had a check engine light. I think I might try every bit of electric work as earlier mentioned. Problem is.... That's gonna be a pain.
01-07-2015, 06:17 AM
#17
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Clermont, FL
Posts: 2,952
Make sure you are getting spark. (Pull a plug wire off the coil and hold it about 1/4 inch away as someone tries to crank the car)
If there is spark then it's a fuel issue.
Does the fuel pump kick on when you first turn the key to run (before turning all the way to start)
How old of the fuel filter? Is there even has in the tank?
No spark then it's a wiring issue.
If there is spark then it's a fuel issue.
Does the fuel pump kick on when you first turn the key to run (before turning all the way to start)
How old of the fuel filter? Is there even has in the tank?
No spark then it's a wiring issue.
01-12-2015, 07:03 AM
#19
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: tx
Posts: 27
This is starting to sound similar to an issue with some older Ford Rangers.
I don't know if anyone has checked if they are getting spark, but the engine cranks but won't start, especially when cold.
There are not any engine codes either. People have changed fuel pumps, fuel pump relays, ignition coils, and so on.
One of the poster said he finally fixed it by changing his crankshaft position sensor, When asked what led him to that he said that he had changed everything else.
Just a suggestion. I know for the Rangers this part is only about $20.
I don't know if anyone has checked if they are getting spark, but the engine cranks but won't start, especially when cold.
There are not any engine codes either. People have changed fuel pumps, fuel pump relays, ignition coils, and so on.
One of the poster said he finally fixed it by changing his crankshaft position sensor, When asked what led him to that he said that he had changed everything else.
Just a suggestion. I know for the Rangers this part is only about $20.
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