Hard starting.

[Eric Campbell]

My '99 Mountaineer is requiring long-cranking or multiple tries to get the dang thing started! Seems like fuel to me 'cause it has plenty of cranking power and no indication of ignition probs. Any thoughts?

 

[Nato X]

I was having similar problems when my engine was cold. I followed the advice found here regarding the intake air control (IAC). Pulled mine off and cleaned it with electric contact cleaner. Problem solved.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. Do you have any engine trouble codes with a check engine light?

 

[Eric Campbell]

Thanks for the welcome! The "check engine" light is not on (sometimes, briefly, but not often at all). I just cleaned the IAC but I'm not sure that's the culprit. The engine seams to choose when it will act up...not necessarily on a cold morning. When it finally kicks in it's more like an on/off switch turning on all of a sudden. Does that give you any indication?...