Intermittand starting problem

[f$nsho]

About half of the times my 93 MTX starts up without a problem but the other times it won't start up when I turn the key to "start". I hear just hear a click and that's it. I can be wrong but I don't think it the starter since I replaced it about 4 months ago.

There is one thing that may help diagnose this issue; it always starts after I put it in gear (1st or reverse) and rock the car back and forth. It always starts right up after I do this. I initially thought it may be a loose wire because of this, but it is so consistent that I kind of ruled that out. Could this be a sensor that's on it's way out?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[f$nsho]

I just ran the codes and it came up with code 528:
Code 528 (M) System shows voltage at pin 10 (is A/C on ?) or pin 30 (PNP, CPP switch)

I guess this points to the CPP switch (Clutch Pedal Position) which may be malfunctioning? and therefore prevents the car from starting. I may try to bypass the sensor and see if this fixes the problem.

 

[Brandontw]

i have the same sort of problem, sometime i actually have to push start my car... lemme know if that works, and how do you go about bypassing the CPP switch

 

[PODinUT]

I have had a similar with my 94 SHO. I had two problems, the starter had oil leaking out onto it (fixed oil leak) and the camshaft sensor was bad. Check those two things.

 

[f$nsho]

I haven't had any time to look or work on it yet, so I don't know how to bypass the CPP. Maybe someone has done this before? any suggustions?

It's not leaking oil so I dont think that's what it is, but I will check out the camshaft senor.

 

[PODinUT]

Good luck with that. Check for loose connection on the starter itself. Also if you need to change the camshaft sensor Auto Zone carries it for about 35.00. The one problem is they do not show that it is required on their computer. It is, the part number is F134.

 

[f$nsho]

A couple days ago the car totaly died, it would only run by push starting it. I ran the codes and it came up with code 211 and did a bunch of reading about this.
What I ended up doing is replace my neg battery cable, CAM sensor and the starter.

It was the starter that was no good. It's kind of unreal, it's the 4th one in about six years now- the replacement was on warranty so that's the one good thing. I will definately keep the oil away from it in the future while changing the filter on the car.

It was also running with a slight hesitation, especially in the lower gears, and replacing the CAM sensor helped with this. It is still there but nowhere near as bad as it was.

It's running again; thanks for all the advice and write up's on changing the CAM sensor out.

 

[PODinUT]

Glad you found the problem. I had the same problem with my starter. I went through 9 starters in 4 years. I kept thinking it was from oil changes too. Turned out I had a small but progressive leak in the valve cover gasket. Look to see if you have oil in the spark plug gallies. If you do, change the gasket. You need to remove the intake manifold to do this. Also change the intake manifold gasket along with the valve cover gasket. Comes as a kit by fel-pro about $80.00. You might as well change the plugs while you are in there and if needed the plug wires. Get the good ones, worth the trouble. It isn't a fun job but worth the time. Also if you have to do this, make sure you get the ground strap back on and all the wire plugs back to the manifold. Good luck!

 

[Zeegs]

Not sure what the starter is like on a second gen, but when I put a new starter on my first gen I sealed the cap on the to of the starter (that covers the arm that engages the starter), with silicone, just incase I did spill oil during an oil change.

When changing the oil filter, instead of letting the oil dump on the starter, cut up a milk jug so that you can drain the oil out infront of the starter into a funnel or something!

 

[CerberuS]

Not sure what the starter is like on a second gen, but when I put a new starter on my first gen I sealed the cap on the to of the starter (that covers the arm that engages the starter), with silicone, just incase I did spill oil during an oil change.

When changing the oil filter, instead of letting the oil dump on the starter, cut up a milk jug so that you can drain the oil out infront of the starter into a funnel or something!

yup , i guess ford didnt thought that oil changes happens every 3k.....

that was stupid tho...plastic part would have fixed it...