'88 Tbird 3.8 fuel injected-harder start

November 06, 2007, 09:13:23 PM

Hello,

I hesitated to write this as it seems that this problem is petty, but just the same, the TBird has never behaved this way in 19 years--so here goes. In the past months, it is noted that the engine has to crank far longer to start running. I have checked most everything a simple minded mechanic can--fuel filter; leaks; relays--I even ran the code reader on this engine and there were no code faults. I concluded it must be a weak pump or bad fuel regulator. Both of these are off limits in terms of easy work and when I took the car to a local service station here --yes the old fashioned gas station with service bays--the guy told me he could not chase guesses and preferred I take it to a specialist. Meanwhile, the TBird performs normally when running. The hard start can now happen cold or hot and sporadically it will start fine. I thought--well if the fuel issue can be in doubt--could this be electrical? The plugs-wiring and cap were new last year. Someone mentioned crank sensor to me--but that did not show up on the engine running test????? What could affect a start?? Any words of wisdom appreciated.

'88 Tbird 3.8 fuel injected-harder start

Reply #1 – November 06, 2007, 11:44:11 PM

if you thought it was fuel related why not check the fuel pressure?
also, i dont recall the 3.8 v6 having a crank pos. sensor.

'88 Tbird 3.8 fuel injected-harder start

Reply #2 – November 07, 2007, 09:30:10 PM

Yeah, I thought about that --I'll have to invest in a pressure gauge. I assumed the station checked that, but I would want to check the pressure while in start mode. Agreed--had not heard of crank sensor in this vehicle---a parts guy on the phone mentioned it to me.