Starting problems, please help!

[Smoke00]

Ok so I searched the forum and am not exactly sure what my problem may be. I've heard the cps, or cid sensor or maybe even the fuel pump. But anyhow heres my story.

Just recently I have been having problems with the car starting. I have a 93atx. The car will start fine with the first start of the day but if I am running some erands and am jumping in and out of the car by maybe the 4th time I have to start it, it starts but then sputters out. If I try starting it again right away it just kind of dies out like there is no juice in the battery. (The battery is new) If I give it a couple of minutes it will usually start right up.

Another thing is that I just recently have been getting a random check engine light. It will come on and go off repeatedly during the course of my drive. I ran some codes but didnt get anything significant. I will try running them again and post the codes that I get.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[projectSHO89]

The symptom of a low battery might mean just that. New batteries have been known to be bad (ask Sears).

It's also possible that you have a defective starter, solenoid, or a cable/grounding problem.

With the help of an assistant measure the voltage at the battery terminals when it is in failure mode. That can help you narrow down the problem.

Steve
89

 

[BenSwanson]

same thing happened to my 93. Found out it was due to spark plugs fouling out from oil. When i plug wires and clean oil out it starts right up. How this relates to heat i dont know? I am about to replace valve gaskets.

 

[sdpatt]

The CHECK ENGINE light is trying to tell you what problem exists at the time it illuminates. Check the codes.

What do you mean by "it just kind of dies out like there is no juice in the battery?" You mean after it is running or while the starter is cranking the engine? Big difference.

This sounds like a fuel pump to me. The CPS dies like you shut off the ignition key and the tach will drop instantly to zero even though the engine is still coasting down.

 

[Smoke00]

It dies out when the starter is turning the engine. You know when you have an almost dead battery, and you have enough juice to turn over the engine a time or two and as you keep the key turned it slowly dies out, like when the battery is dieing.

Ive checked the battery, its good. Its a brand new motorcraft battery.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[SHOTOGO]

I had the same symptoms because of a bad starter on my SHO.

 

[CheckerSHO]

Mine is doing similar stuff right now...it turns over fine when its cool but after driving it a while it wont turn over but once or twice. My battery is good. im thinking its the starter, i've checked my connections.

 

[SHOMEdontplaythat]

I have just recently incurred the same or similar type of issue that you are having. I just got back from having my local mechanic check it out today as a matter of fact. My car is also a 1993 ATX (3.2L) and this just started happening since last month. I have been driving the car like this with the SES light going on and off at will with no specific pattern or so it seems for some time. Upon until recently I did not think much of it as it appeared to me to be just a electrical issue out of my better lack of knowledge. Today was the day I had my fill and I knew by the way that my car was starting recently that the problem was becoming greater. I stopped in my local mechanic's garage and he did a code check on my car and the code reader responded with no codes returned. Mind you I drove my car into the parking lot with the SES on and I had left the car running as proof that I was not loosing my mind. I explained to the mechanic the type of problem that I had been having and he seemed to think that it was a fuel filter out of all things. I already had a brand new fuel pump put on a little while ago from a different garage so I highly doubt this part would be bad again already. I was unsure if they replaced the fuel filter at the time of the new fuel pump install or not. I will have to find my receipts and double check that. At any rate as I was getting ready to leave when thank fully (for once) my car would not start just as you had described. Ordinarily this would never happen when one would go to show someone a specific problem or so it would seem anyway. Actually seeing first hand what the car was doing the mechanic then had a brilliant idea to do a fuel pressure check on my car and he had found that it was only putting out 30 instead of the 40 that was recommended according to him. This was a real simple task that took all of about 5 minutes to do. If what my mechanic was telling me is true then it sounds very logical that it may very well indeed be my fuel filter being clogged to a degree where it would cause the engine to hesitate upon starting my car. I was then instructed to prime the fuel pump approx. 3 times before actually trying to start my car. I did this 3 times by turning the ignition to the on position as to not to start the car (wait until you hear the fuel pump shut off) and then turn the key back to the off position and wait 5 seconds before doing it again. Repeat until you have did this a total of 3 cycles. SHO nuff after I did this procedure my car started fine just as I had did a similar task to start my car before I had learned of this exact process or even seen my mechanic today. Now I know the exact method of starting my car when this issue takes place. Hopefully after this coming Monday when my fuel filter is replaced I will not have to worry about this issue again for a very long time. I will let you know what happens after the new install. Wish me luck and I hope my contribution has helped other fellow SHO Members with the same type of issue.

 

[Smoke00]

Ok so I checked my plug wells today and they have oil in them. So I think I can take care of that, but would this be the cause of my problem?

Also I ran the codes and got the 212 and 214 for the cid sensor. This is also known as the camshaft position sensor right? Anyways my ford dealership says that what I need is a stint or stilt or something like that for $61. Advance had no clue and pep boys has a camshaft sensor for $80. Does this all sound right? What should I be paying for this sensor?

Im going to order the gasket set for the wells now.

Thanks