magickrate

Ok so lets start with the basics
i have an 03 mustang gt with 73,000 miles on it
so every once in a while the car will not start up the first try. it would
take me 2 or even 3 times to get it started.
what could be wrong (if anything) started?

defconfire

It could be the IAC sticking closed.

I know occasionally with my old engine if I would let go of the key just a tiny bit too soon the car wouldn't start and it would take a couple of cranks to get it going.

.boB

Check your fuel pressure at the rails. SHould be zero when cold. But when you turn the key, it should immediatly jump to about 40psi. If it doesn't, you need a new fuel pump.

defconfire

Actually, Isn't the fuel system in our cars a returnless system so the fuel pressure stays for a while. It'll probablly be 0 psi when its BONE cold, but even turning it off and waiting a couple minutes the system should still have pressure.

mustangman281

The returnless system always has pressure. If it doesn't then you have a leak.

The IAC stays closed at cold start up (kinda like a choke on the carb motors)

oxwhitegt03

I have an 03 as well but mine starts up good cold but ,doesnt start good when warm ,very frustrating infront of a group of people ...im going to try my fuel filter and plugs...im taking it that yours is on a cold start....with 73,000 miles you might wanna try a fuel filter if you havent yet maybe run lucas f/i cleaner before you start with the expensive stuff...good luck

magickrate

acutally it starts up everytime when cold well as of now it starts up everytime cold.
and i just put fuel cleaner in yesterday.
but it happens when its warm. like yesterday i drove it to my friends house and then came back. went inside for say like 10mins then went back out and did not start up the first try.

cliffyk

Mine has done this since I got it with 30k miles on the clock. Not all the time, but maybe one out of 5 warm starts after sitting for 5 to 10 minutes.

A couple things I have found that minimise the problem is to turn the key on and wait 2 to 3 seconds before cranking, or crank it just a tiny a bit longer then you think is needed to start the engine (crank it just a bit more after you hear a cylinder fire).

If it does not start give it a bit of throttle when you retry, I have never had it not start one the second try when doing this.

I think it's a sort of heat soak/vapour lock that is vapourising the fuel in the injectors or whatever...

ShinobiOfLegends

oh goody!...mines been doing it since i bought it and the previous owner said it started happening at about 30k also... glad to know its not just me...

Andy13186

My car starts slow sometimes (usually when its cold i think, and mabe more often when im low on gas)

but it has never not started for me yet.

2003 gt 80k miles