Intermittant hard start finally fixed

[live2_4x4]

Well, I did it.... I finally fixed my intermittant no start-hard start problem. With the help of many of you here(thanks to all who chimed in, but especially Mr. Shorty, who not only seems to have the answers but doesn't mind explaining them to a rookie). I eliminated one item after another and so on, and on, and on.........until finally the only item remaining not checked cleaned or replaced was the ECT sensor. After speaking to a freind who is a fuel electrical specialist (even if he is a dodge mechanic), the decision was made to replace the sensor. After testing it was revealed that the sensor was reading sooo cold when it shorted or failed that the engine would flood itself with gas trying to start. I would never have blamed this part myself but by process of elimination and a LOT of time that was what it came down to, replaced the sensor two days ago and the ex starts fine every time cold or hot. As a side note my rough idle on a warm start is completely gone now(?another effect of the sensor?) and all is well in my garage. A great big thanks to Rick for this FANTASTIC site and all the great people who help out every day. You all ROCK!!!
Glen

 

[Glacier991]

Mr. Shorty is one of the best of the best on this site. Let's all give him a big round of applause! And congrats to you too !

 

[mhochman]

I have a 2001 v6 4.0 what is the ECT and where would I find it. Mine has the same problem.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[live2_4x4]

sorry to take so long

ect is located on the front of the engine just below the throttle body. to change it you will need to drain a bit of antifreeze-coolant out.
good luck.
Glen

 

[falls guy]

Right on! Never knew the ECT did so much.

 

[mhochman]

ect is located on the front of the engine just below the throttle body. to change it you will need to drain a bit of antifreeze-coolant out.
good luck.
Glen

If possible could you post a picture?
-Mark

 

[becky]

We have the same problem with our '95, we are taking this info to our mechanic tomorrow, I will keep my fingers crossed!!!! Thanks.
Ottawa

 

[BrooklynBay]

When I had an 89 Sable, it was almost impossible to start when it was cold, and sometimes warm. It turned out to be the ECT, and ACT sensors. For those of you that aren't familiar with these abbreviations, ECT is Engine Coolant Temperature sensor, and ACT is Air Charge Temperature sensor.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Mr. Shorty is one of the best of the best on this site. Let's all give him a big round of applause! And congrats to you too !

I agree 10x's over

-Drew

 

[quasarsky]

Well, I did it.... I finally fixed my intermittant no start-hard start problem. With the help of many of you here(thanks to all who chimed in, but especially Mr. Shorty, who not only seems to have the answers but doesn't mind explaining them to a rookie). I eliminated one item after another and so on, and on, and on.........until finally the only item remaining not checked cleaned or replaced was the ECT sensor. After speaking to a freind who is a fuel electrical specialist (even if he is a dodge mechanic), the decision was made to replace the sensor. After testing it was revealed that the sensor was reading sooo cold when it shorted or failed that the engine would flood itself with gas trying to start. I would never have blamed this part myself but by process of elimination and a LOT of time that was what it came down to, replaced the sensor two days ago and the ex starts fine every time cold or hot. As a side note my rough idle on a warm start is completely gone now(?another effect of the sensor?) and all is well in my garage. A great big thanks to Rick for this FANTASTIC site and all the great people who help out every day. You all ROCK!!!
Glen

thanks so much for this thread! i got my car working again when i replaced the sensor!

 

[BrooklynBay]

This chart explains the operation of the ECT sensor:
Dead Link Removed

 

[BarneyX]

Live2_4X4 thank you sooo much. the last three years I have been trying to figure out why my 95 Sport would have the issue with a rough idle/hard starting. I found it frequently occurs when the summer months came around or if there were quick starting and stopping of the engine.
I just put in the 85$ ECT sensor from Napa and everything is running better than ever. I`ve taken my truck in numerous times, no one could give me an answer. Thanks to all the people who have contributed to this site, every question or problem, someone has a fix for!

 

[Baltoborn]

I had this problem at the end of the 2016 summer. My 2003 Explorer Sport started fine in the morning. I'd drive 3+ miles to the 7-11, shut it off and when I came out of the store it would not start. It cranked fine, etc. but would not start. After sitting for an hour or so it would fire right up. I replaced the fuel pump relay but that did not help. After reading through the forums looking for the cheapest and simplest fixes I replaced the coil pack in September (about a $40 part from an online supplier and an easy remove and install for a non-mechanic). I have not had the starting problem since. It's winter now and I'll be interested to see what happens next summer.