Stalling/Non-Starting Issues

[fitefanSHO]

I took my SHO in for an oil change yesterday and as they were changing the oil, I noticed some steam coming up from under the car in the engine bay. I asked them what that was and they said they were spraying some oil off the exhaust. I was like, uh... OK...then when they were done they pulled my car out and shut it off. I got in and it would not start. Just crank, and crank. Tried that 2 or 3 times and then on the 4th crank, it fired right up fast like before. Then today I was out and about, the car was warm (it started fine this morning) and I turned it off to go in a store, two minutes later I come back, turn the key and it started but it was kinda bogged like around 4-5K and just stalled. Then it would not start for like 2 or 3 more attempts (just cranking) and then like at the oil change place, it fired right up on the 4th try. Then about 30 minutes after that I was at the post office and left her running outside while I went in. I was in for like 5 or 6 minutes and I come back out and she had stalled out on me. That never happened before...

Started up fine though and off I went.

WTF?

Starter is almost brand new.

Water pump and CPS are relatively new by Kirk @NESHO.

Thoughts? Help...

Could they have coated the starter with oil?

Soaked the CPS?

Maybe the fuel pump is going out?

 

[bubba]

Sounds like the fuel pump is going out, but I'm sure when they did the oil change they didn't poke a hole in the filter like they should have. but pull the codes and see what they have stored!

 

[fitefanSHO]

well, the fuel pump is one thing I have not done since I got the car two years ago and most everything has been serviced, replaced, or repaired, but not that fuel pump, it's probably stock and it roars like a jet engine when I start the car usually, then simmers down...

I wish I had had it done when the tank was replaced...

 

[bubba]

It's most likely have a clogged fuel filter also! I use to have the bogging down and have not...had a problem since IMHO. it's a 10 dollar part also. I forgot to say, check to coil also as it could be worn out

 

[fitefanSHO]

Maybe but I did just replace that fuel filter within the past 5-10K or so

 

[fitefanSHO]

The problem got worse today. She started up fine this morning then a few times after that as the morning went on running errands. She was running nice and warm, and I went into a grocery store. Came back and she started funny, not holding RPM's and it stalled. I could start her back up no problem but putting it in gear would cause immediate loss of RPMs and a stall. Finally did enough two footed manipulation of brake and gas to get moving and then when I got her home (10 minute drive) she held her idle fine in park, drive, neutral etc...

This sucks..

Edit: Whatever the problem is, it's intermittent because after I struggled just to get her in gear to get her home, I checked the plugs for oil, they looked dry, at least the front three, the back three look snug, I assume dry, coil pack nice and tight, nothing looks disconnected or otherwise out of place. Then she started right up and held her idle fine, through the gears...but I would not want to take a trip right now, until I can figure of WTF...

 

[bubba]

Sounds like you might have a vacuum leak somewhere? I wonder if the intake gaskets are leaking! I would take the head off and see if something is off to you? Just a thought

 

[91 shonice]

Dis module or CPS sensor....my 2cents

 

[fitefanSHO]

Vacuum leak definitely possible somewhere. But would a vacuum leak come and go like that to the point where is only sometimes cause the above symptoms and other times is fine? CPS and water pump are pretty new by Kirk,so I dunno about that... DIS might be possible too. Easy enough to replace too...

 

[bubba]

Vacuum leak definitely possible somewhere. But would a vacuum leak come and go like that to the point where is only sometimes cause the above symptoms and other times is fine? CPS and water pump are pretty new by Kirk,so I dunno about that... DIS might be possible too. Easy enough to replace too...

It could.... It could be afew things! I had a problem where it would do the same thing to a point, But My Intake was clogged (nostrils) needed cleaned

 

[fitefanSHO]

Where can I get a new (or like new) DIS? How much should I expect to pay?

Maybe I'll try that and throw on a new MAF, see how that helps, if at all...

And also look to replace my fuel pump soon.

 

[rubydist]

Did you check for codes?

 

[fitefanSHO]

CEL is not on and does not ever come on, might have some stored codes though, I dunno. So, no...not yet. I'm having a mechanic I trust and who has worked on her in the past look at it Monday morning. Today the car did not act up at all of course. In fact, it ran great, lol... I described everything as best I could to the tech and asked him what he thinks it might be based on what I described. First thing he said, was Idle Air Control Valve, saying it's a common problem on Fords. So I'll let him do a proper diagnosis Monday and hope it doesn't act up too much this weekend.

 

[SHO#7]

Next time you are in the situation where it would be a long crank.

Ran into a store, two minutes, back out, etc...

Turn the key from off to on, 4 times. Allowing the fuel pump to prime each time.

Then try and start it.

My vote is fuel pump.

Mike

 

[fitefanSHO]

Codes in memory:

124
157
158
212
543

 

[itwonder]

I got in and it would not start. Just crank, and crank. Tried that 2 or 3 times and then on the 4th crank, it fired right up fast like before. T

That is symptomatic of a cam sensor. But I'm not confident it would explain the bogging.

 

[frosho]

Jeff, I believe I have some spare ignition parts (DIS's, coil packs, cam sensors, etc) if you want to try swapping anything out.

 

[fitefanSHO]

Hey Matt, thanks. The DIS and cam sensor might be worth a try. Based on his diagnosis and his claimed expertise with Fords and schematics, my mechanic thinks I should replace the CCRM, then clear the codes and just drive it for a while, see what it does, if the issues I'm having clear up. Then recheck the codes in a week or two and maybe then either replace or just try cleaning the Idle Air Control Valve. So, the CCRM goes in tomorrow, brand new part from Ford.

 

[itwonder]

Another thought. When was the last time you cleaned your MAF sensor? They can cause some strange problems. Try cleaning, and/or unplug it when it acts up and see if it runs better. I don't think an IAC problem is consistent with the starting issue.

 

[fitefanSHO]

Another thought. When was the last time you cleaned your MAF sensor?

Twice within the last year, using MAF cleaner and being very careful to do it correctly.

I think as far as MAF goes, it might just be time to replace it outright.

Edit: As of 4/24 and after having the CCRM replaced and cleaning the IACV, no re-occurrence of the initial problem reported in this thread. Fingers crossed...