Starting problem

[RedSVT 03]

Car: 03 SVTF 3 door, stock, 2600 miles

Weather: single digits last night, not above 20 degrees

Fuel level: right under ¼ tank

I went to start the car today so I could go to work, and it wouldn't start. It cranked slowly, and the engine light, and battery light were on. I finally got it started after about 3 attempts. It slowly caught the last time. I drove exactly one block to the gas station. I filled up with 93 octane. Car started right up, like usual.

So, did I get a little ice or freezing in my fuel lines last night? I know that you shouldn't let it get that low, and I had planned on refueling today. My only concern was the battery and engine light coming on. I will have to see tonight when I leave work what happens. I guess if it continues to do this, a trip to the dealer will be in order.

[drsql]

Isn't this just normal when it is so cold? I assumed that was what the engine block heater is all about. Here in Nashville I would use it about three times a year, so it wouldn't be necessary. Mine is a bit sluggish to start on cold mornings, but once it gets warmed up everything is usually fine.

Did the battery light and engine light stay on until you got to the pump?

[RedSVT 03]

No, the lights didn't stay on. I tried starting it around 6 pm. It fired right up. I can't figure out what it would be, other than possibly the fuel lines.

I don't have the winter package.

[DiscGolferGreg]

Ah Michigan single digit weather. That's where I'd point the finger. If it happens again post but try not to let the gas level go below 1/4 in this weather.

[imajsdaddy]

Hell I live in Alaska and mine starts when cold, as well as the wifes zx3.... Usually takes 10-30 seconds of cranking to start around zero degrees.

I think it's normal to be hard starting on high compression engines like ours... However if you crank and crank for several times and the car won't start, you might have ice in the fuel lines, which is very very dangerous as they can burst and cause MAJOR fires! Maybe you should throw a can of heat into your truck for if it happens again and place the heat into the gas tank next time. If will thaw out the lines if they are frozen and you can start easily within 10 minutes or so!

[DiscGolferGreg]

^^^ That or you'll soak the plugs and won't be going anywhere.

[Blurry]

I live in Maine and it was below zero last night and mine had no problems starting the first time...Tomorrow may be different...it's supposed to be -20 tonight...

[10clock]

just a slow start car mine cranks 3 or 4 times before starting, and thats in arizona,

just keep it in the garage, little warmer than outside

[BLKSVT03]

Hey Red, I have the same problem. And it was only when it was cold and the car was not warm.... It would crank and crank and crank. When I was starting to freak out I remembered something Ford has put in all their car owners manuals since 1986 when they brought out the fuel injection. It basically states that if the car cranks and doesn't start (and yes this was in many manuals of many fords) it says to "Push the gas pedal all the way to the floor and crank it, as soon as it starts to catch adjust throttle accordingly. (or something like that).

I had a 93 GT back um I think in 98 er so, and even in the middle of summer at this one gas station only parked in the same spot there, the same thing wold happen and the car was still warm. And first of all i learned not to stop the car in that spot anymore, but Sure enough stomping on the pedal did work.

From my various Ford experiences I use it as a last measure, but I bet its still in the Manual.

P.S. My wifes ZX5 does not do that, just the SVT.

[dalola]

And, just to confuse everyone even more, mine starts BETTER when it's cold! The colder it is, the quicker it starts.

Go figger...:rolleyes:

[PAN360]

Originally posted by dalola
...mine starts BETTER when it's cold...
:rolleyes:
Ditto

[BLKSVT03]

I guess mine must be a chicago thing! not to mention we (the wife and I) car-pool in the ZX5 on a daily basis. I havent driven the SVT lately but it started to act up when it was cold, and its Black and I didn't want it to get all salty.

(And I was too cheap to by the recommended snow tires)

[RedSVT 03]

**Update**

Car: 03 SVT Focus

Mileage: 2771

Temp this morning: 5 degrees, up to about 15.

Fuel level: FULL <--filled up last night

Car was very hard to start today. Wanted to turn over, but wouldn't at first. Engine and battery light on again, until it started.

A friend suggested that I might have some condensation or water in my fuel lines. He suggested fuel line additive, to absorb the water. Anyone use this before?

[BLKSVT03]

Hey Red. Maybe we have this problem cause we still have low mileage and the car isn't broken in yet?? my car only has like 3200 er so miles on it, and I had hard starts around the same mileage. I dont drive my car often I havet started that thing in a couple weeks er so.

Hey all you that say it starts better when cold what is your mileage??

Curious to wonder if it is a break-in thing?

[PAN360]

Coming up on 23000 km

[focusben]

I would suggest a few things to do:

1. Put in synthetic oil for the winter time even though the car hasn't "fully" broken in. Something like AMSOIL will give a better cold start.

2. Check your battery for cold-cranking capabilities. There may also be something wrong with the wiring or alternator, or starter motor. I'd give those a good diagnosis.

3. Coolant. Make sure you have some still if it isn't leaking. An engine with no collant may mean a frozen engine.

4. Gas additive is ideal. I use it all the time in my SVTF. It keeps the fuel line cleaner. Maybe even using cleaner gas might help.

5. Drive longer trips. Short trips might also clog the lines and create carbon deposits.

6. Check your fuel pump. I heard some people had their's replaced under warranty.

If all of this doesn't do anything, I'd just give the car to the dealer to diagnose. And if all else fails, keep the car on a block heater 2 hours before you drive.

My car has been in the Maine weather last year, and it was *fun*. ;) The weather around here was comparable to yours, if not, colder. My car has run fine mainly because I put in the synthetic oil. I think additive might have also helped.

One thing I also do in the winter before I turn the car over, is to have the key turned into the "neutral" (for lack of a better term) position before I turn the key over completely. I heard this helps inject fuel into the lines or something to that effect. I keep the key in that position for 5 seconds.

One other thing, if you press your accelerator before you start your car, all you're doing is flooding the engine with gas, making it harder to start. Something to avoid.
;)

[BLKSVT03]

The accelerator pushing thing I did'nt make up I swear.!:)

But it is in those manuals. ( of course doing this everytime you start your car? yes BAD!)

[RedSVT 03]

Well, I haven't had any more problems. I realized that I would just put the key in, and try to start it. I never let the fuel pump prime or anything. Now I put it in, turn it, wait a few seconds, and it fires right up. I usually wait until the gas gauge moves, then start it.

[mfab69]

My foci has done the same thing twice now, only when it is really cold though. And yes it starts up when you push the accelerator pedal to the floor. I quess I should use the block heater when it get's cold.



2003 Focus SVT Infra - Red
Audiophile
Power Moonroof
Cold Weather Package
HID

[imajsdaddy]

I started my wifes zx3 yesterday with the block heater on and it took 30 seconds of cranking before it started. But the day before it started right up and was almost warm coming out the heater vents!

Guess it all depends! 0 degrees and the car was blowing warm... It was -20 when I cranked forever to start it!

[SCollins]

I had exactly the same problem with my Euro app. package foci, on really cold temps it would crank and crank but would not start. (early January in Michigan..a cold 10degree morning)

I had the car towed to my Ford dealer, and the shop manager said there was an update for the cars engine management computer. So I think they "reflashed" the brain box and now it works fine in the subzero temps. The only difference is that it idles a little higher the first few minutes of running. The towing, and service work as well as loaner car was all under warranty.

One tip...if you ever have to call roadside assistance for a tow, request a towing service that can pick up your ride with a flatbed truck. Its better for your SVT to be on a flatbed and it will be honored if you request it.

smoke um if ya got um.

later

SCollins

[imajsdaddy]

Originally posted by SCollins


One tip...if you ever have to call roadside assistance for a tow, request a towing service that can pick up your ride with a flatbed truck. Its better for your SVT to be on a flatbed and it will be honored if you request it.



One problem with this! I had mine of a flat bed! I had to stack 3 bricks high to get it to clear the ground on the front bumper! The drive said "don't worry it'll just make a scratch!":mad: Yeah okay jerky!:mad:

Anyways, watch them as they put it up on the flat bed so your front or rear end doesn't get jacked up!



One other thing, the computer update, is it the YRF0? or some other PCM update? I'd rather the hard start than have it changed as this one seams to be the bast one so far.

Please let us know if you can get the PCM update number

[SCollins]

I called the Ford dearlership that performed the work on my SVT focus and the rep I talked to said that no ifo was recored when the computer update was done (as to what the PCM code number was). I was told sometimes it is recorded but in my case it was not. Sorry dude.
I wish I could help you with that, but I have no other advice other than to take yours in to get it re-"flashed" if the hard starting persists in the cold. There is an update for the problem and you won't pay for it if you are still under warranty. My update has not affected the performance of the engine in any negative way - as far as I can tell.

later

SCollins
Orange SVT Euro package Focus
HID
moonroof
recaros...etc..ya know....

[philS]

As you said, I would let the fuel pump prime before starting. If you need to, do it a few times.

Also, I would recommend a battery charger (one that has a START setting) if you live in a really cold climate. I use mine all the time on my older cars. I've never had a problem with the Focus, but if the battery gets old it won't be able to put out the cold cranking amps that it once could. The colder it is, the more juice the car needs to crank, and the less juice the battery has to offer.

On the t-bird, sometimes even with the charger it won't start unless you hold the pedal to the floor. The computer will not fire the injectors at WOT during starts.

Gas-line antifreeze is always a good idea. I finally had to retire the t-bird as my daily driver because of frozen lines (even with drygas). The lines are exposed underneath the car, and I used to have to lie under the car with a heat gun to thaw the lines. Not a good time when it's 10 below zero!