1999 4.0 Auto Starting Issues

[Stormrunner77]

Ok guys I'm getting frustrated. :frustrate

Got a 99 Sport that wants to play game when trying to start it. Most of the time it will start "almost" right up. Tonight the wife tried to step out in in and it won't start for anything. I've checked the battery, it's got gas.. all the standard stuff checked. No problems with starting it up yesterday. It's been kind of finicky lately, but normally starts on the 2nd try. I've noticed that at times when it does this; if I use the 3 on - 3 off sequence from the No Start Guide that I will hear something kick in.. then it will start. Tonight, I tried that, I heard the noise it almost started, but then died. After that... nothing beyond what I would call normal cranking sound.

Any ideas are appreciated.:notworthy


Just to address the PATS issue: the Theft light does turn off during the starting attempts. I've checked the fuel cut off switch in the passenger footwell, it seemed normal.

 

[ranger7ltr]

Maintenance questions...

When was the engine tuned up last? When was the fuel filter changed last? What is the fuel pressure when you start it or try to start it? What is the battery voltage before and after starting? Two items that engines are very picky about are high enough voltage at startup and proper fuel pressure...Obviously things like working plugs, wires, sensors, etc all figure into the mix as well...

And what is the 3 on-3 off sequence from the no start guide? If my truck doesn't start the first time, I find out why and fix it...That applies to my cars too...

As an aside if you spray starting fluid into the intake does the engine start and run then for a few seconds? If it does, that can point you toward a lack of proper fuel supply issue...Either proper volume or pressure...

 

[Stormrunner77]

Being as there are several items on here I will address each seperately:

When was the engine tuned up last? When was the fuel filter changed last?
Unknown, I have had the vehicle roughly 1 mo with no major problems until now

What is the fuel pressure when you start it or try to start it? I'm not sure, don't have a pressure gauge to check that

What is the battery voltage before and after starting? The dash gauge shows that it should be within the operational norms when initially attempting to start the engine, and when it was running. Currently it seems to be dropping to the low end of that range durring start up. I don't have a voltmeter available to get the exact voltages. Currently I've put it on a 10 amp quick charge to try and rule out the battery (which is less than a month old)

Two items that engines are very picky about are high enough voltage at startup and proper fuel pressure...Obviously things like working plugs, wires, sensors, etc all figure into the mix as well... Can't argue with that, I know enough under the hood to check for the most common items, just don't have all the tools to get the details I would prefer to have available to troubleshoot.

And what is the 3 on-3 off sequence from the no start guide? If my truck doesn't start the first time, I find out why and fix it...That applies to my cars too...I may have been mistaken from where I read about that on the forums. I will have to look that up again. What I had read it that someone had noticed that their Ex would sometime be hard to start and if they turned the ignition from off to on (3x) that it would then get the system (fuel pump?) to kick in and get the correct fuel flow. The one other time I had my Ex not want to start I tried that, I could hear something (almost vaccum or priming like) kick in and it started right up from there.

As an aside if you spray starting fluid into the intake does the engine start and run then for a few seconds? If it does, that can point you toward a lack of proper fuel supply issue...Either proper volume or pressure...Have not attempted this yet. When this happend last night, it was getting dark and I did not have a strait train of throught.

Thank you for all the suggestions

 

[Stormrunner77]

Fixed

Well, after a week of frustration, the help of a family friend (so that I made sure I was doing the right thing), and $110 I've got the Ex running again. Turns out it ended up being the fuel pump.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.