so i tried to start my car and i had turm the key
3 times and finally give it some gas to make it start

wat gives?



i gots me a 2000 3.8 auto

 

Is it not turning over when it's supposed to, or just not sparking when you're cranking it?

How many miles are on your car?

What maintenance have you done?

Have you added or replaced anything on the car recently?

Are there any other drivability issues?

Ryan

 

well i was hit the other day in the fornt passanger side fender by this girl in a toyota
going about 10mph (slowed down from like 30 in parking lot)

but no except for a k&n filter its stock
nothing new or replaced
i havent done a tune up since i got it tho (around 50k)
it has 61k mi

i can hear it crank it jusnt wont turn over
if thats what you mean by spark

 

Check your spark plugs and injectors.

 

yea i actually thought of giving my injectors a good cleaning for a while now
anyone know how much this would go for?

 

Open your trunk, look at where the back section of the left tail light would be. There is a hole, reach in and push that button down all the way. That is the fuel cutoff switch and it opens in an impact. It can actually partially open in a light impact. If that's the case it can be cutting fuel flow at startup.

An injector cleaning cost around $10 if you do it yourself with some seafoam. Go to the search option and look it up because I don't feel like typing it all again lol.

Ryan

 

wow never thaught about the cut off switch
didnt know about it comong half way open either
another q
if u push the button can u push it again and instanly restore fuel flow?

 

It's not a pump, it just a spring loaded switch that is either open or closed, nothing like on your lawnmower or weedeater lol. Our fuel systems require a good bit more pressure than that.

The other thing I can recommend, if that doesn't work. instead of cranking it a few times, cycle the fuel pump a few times and then try to start it. By cycling the fuel pump all the do is turn the key to the "on" position, leave it for about 5 seconds, turn it off and back to "on" again, and do this about 3-4 times, then try to start it. If it fires right up, then you have a fuel pressure issue.

If this is the case, replace the filter, which is under the car near the differential, you'll need a special tool to do it, and they're relatively cheap.

Ryan

 

kool thnaks
so if that button were ever pushed
it would need to go to ford to re start the system?

 

no, pushing it resets the circuit, if that little red button is flush with the top of the hole, that means it was set off. Just push it in, cycle the pump a few times to get fuel back in the system and go.

I finally remembered the name of it; "Inertia Switch". It's designed to cut fuel flow in case of an accident to prevent or reduce the risk of fire if a line becomes damged, but can set off merely by hitting it firmly with your hand. You jsut push it back down and go on your way and you'll be fine. It's not "one time use" or anything.
Ryan