Car won't start all of the sudden...

Topic: Car won't start all of the sudden... (Read 9371 times) previous topic - next topic

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #15 – January 09, 2015, 10:09:43 PM

So it's running again, or still no start?

Any codes?

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #16 – January 09, 2015, 10:17:11 PM

Yes, codes, and next time it won't start, actually read the efi no start thread i directed you to.

Let us know when your done throwing away money and actually want to trouble shoot and fix it, once and for all.

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #17 – January 09, 2015, 10:18:21 PM

Question: When it didn't stay running what was the outside air temp? Mine gets funny around 20 degrees Fahrenheit and below. Gotta modulate the throttle a bit when it's that cold. I know it's the IAC for mine. Once the cars running for about 20 seconds its fine. Anything over 20 degrees is a non issue. Starts right up and idles perfect. Something to look into. Hope it's something that easy

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #18 – January 09, 2015, 10:47:04 PM

Stacks CALM down with the code . No spark no BRAINIER. Vinny is good people man. He is not throwing money at anything. He wants a running car. Sometimes we have to do that . We have a Santa Fe in the shop that reeks of gas and it came from 3 dealers that said nothing is wrong. No evap codes either. Only lean banks and lazy o2 2-2. No fuel on the floor or in the engine bay. Seems like these cars do this when it gets cold according to the dealer. We will investigate. By the way what codes are you talking about. They do not tell you if your fuel pressure is low. Or if spark is not making it to the plugs. Codes on those old fashioned Ford OBD1 systems are overrated. He has to get back to basics on this. But why did it start now. hay Vinny what did you do to make it start??? Stack give Vinny a break he is a great guy Dude.

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #19 – January 09, 2015, 10:52:40 PM

Gray smoke is normal on hard acceleration. You most likely cleared it out from fuel loading

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #20 – January 09, 2015, 10:54:10 PM

Cold high idle should be around 1300-1400 hundred. No matter how cold it gets outside. If it does not do this something is wrong with the IAC or the setting

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #21 – January 09, 2015, 11:15:57 PM

Tom, i disagree with throwing away money, that's all. Codes can help you, no reason to dismiss them completely. You could also learn from the efi no start page. If your car won't start, you will know why in less then 10 minutes.

Rather then assume its spark (which would also not fire fuel injectors... which were wet). Why not spend $1 at the dollar store and get a can of starting fluid? The tach is jumping, that points to a bad pick up. Do we have a good pick up signal? This is very well explained how to check, in seconds, on the sbftech .fi no start.

Really though, 10 minutes, and you will know why it doesn't run, and don't spend a dime. If vinniecan't come up with 10 minutes to fix his car, why should we all spend time and effort helping him blindly replace parts?

I say it because it works. These cars are simple, there are only a few things that can prevent them from running, and everyone is covered and walks you through how to trouble shoot them in that post.

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #22 – January 09, 2015, 11:31:11 PM

Stacks in 30 seconds i will find out why. I dont need help from any EFI no start . In 2 seconds i will prove there is either spark or no spark. clearly he has fuel according to his plugs. Compression did not go away. So a simple squirt of starting fluid will confirm no fuel if it starts and a plug laying on the engine with a wire on it while cranking will tell if spark is there. I am way beyond a how to do trouble shooting how to bs write up. Stacks what could i possibly learn from your write up that i already know!!just saying. have a good night Stacks

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #23 – January 10, 2015, 12:45:03 AM

O.K. I don't want to be an ass about this, but, if somebody doesn't want to help, then there's a VERY simple answer.......don't. Anybody entering this thread is doing so by choice. I've put tons of time, more than 10 minutes trying to figure different things out over the years. I didn't run codes because it was too cold to stay out with the car, SO, I was gathering info so when I get back to it, I'd have a little more direction. Not a bad thing. I have started this car from a salvage yard reject, and brought it light years from where it was. Probably one the nicest Thunderbirds in Fox body form that I have seen and almost to a point of completion, but not everyone can say they complete it. I have always managed to get this car together, and make it run, with my own two hands, and at times, with the info I received from those who decided by choice to lend a verbal hand. If anyone feels like their time is wasted on this thread, remember, it was YOUR time, and YOU chose to spend it here. Never once have I disrespected anyone here for asking questions of any kind. I expect the same courtesy regardless of my topic.

Demon, it was freakishly cold. 9 degrees. That sure may have had a part in it ( I'm not sure). It was also about 16 degrees when I swapped the TFI and ignition switch. Today, probably in the high 30's.

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #24 – January 10, 2015, 12:46:42 AM

Tom, tomorrow, I'll have more light and will do some more detailed investigating although it seems to be running now. I will also check the idle closely. I get home from work about the time the sun is gone for the night, so my time during the week is very limited. Thanks for the tips and help as always.

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #25 – January 10, 2015, 03:50:16 AM

Nothing wrong with replacing aftermarket engine sensors and whatnot with factory stuff. It's not as if he's got a 900 horse race engine that needs high end components to be able to be controlled by the EEC and all.

And yes, these engines sometimes CAN and DO have a no-start without throwing codes.

Speaking of..I've got a Ford that won't start for some reason also, though mine is a bit different than what probably any of you guys on this entire forum have seen or heard of.

Here's a little bit to tease you...it's a 3 cylinder gas engine, carbed, but electronic ignition. It's ran reliably for the past 6 years, and that was a fuel pump changed by your truly. My thought is that it's the bitter cold....it started and ran perfectly a week ago when I used it last. "It" is a 1974 Ford 4000 tractor.

The reason I think it's because it's so cold is that you have to have the high/low shifter for the trans in neutral in order to start (think safety switch) and when I moved it early, it felt very very stiff. Like trying to stir very cold pancake syrup with a snow shovel. Likely I will have to drag it out of the garage and pull it to start it. IF one of our vehicles can get enough traction in the first place.

Back to Vinnie's issue...I'm done thread-shiznitting. My purely speculative guess is that possible a wire didn't have a good connection and thus caused his no start issue...maybe he was checking things, bumped something with his hand...and tweaked it enough to where it now starts...who knows. Anything can happen. Add in some unusual cold, and it only compounds issues.

Sorry Vinnie...hope you've gotten it sorted. :)

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #26 – January 10, 2015, 06:02:14 AM

Could of very well been the tif module, Mine acted similar when a buddy switched the jumper cables on mine. Replaced the tfi and everything was fine.

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #27 – January 10, 2015, 06:04:23 AM

Vinny i thought you lived in Arizona for some reason? Guess i am wrong. Hay hang in man you are doing fine. Peace brother. I agree TFI modules do things like this!

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #28 – January 10, 2015, 08:18:06 AM

I'm breaking out the Bird today for a shake down drive. I will report in.

For the past few months, I've been replacing the Aytozone (parts store stuff) sensors with Motorcraft. TPS, IAC, and so on. One at a time til it's all Ford again.

Car won't start all of the sudden...

Reply #29 – January 10, 2015, 09:15:24 AM

Quote from: vinnietbird;442680

Demon, it was freakishly cold. 9 degrees. That sure may have had a part in it ( I'm not sure). It was also about 16 degrees when I swapped the TFI and ignition switch. Today, probably in the high 30's.

Sounds like it may be doing the same thing mine does. I'm gonna break down and try one of those "IAC adjuster plates" with the smaller holes..... They're cheap enough. I know everything else is spot on in my setup..... I'll keep you posted.