My X Will Not Start

[neon_98_x_sport]

My 99 XLT has recently had a problem which is that it will not start. I brought it to the dealer twice and i still have the problem. They did not even tell me what they did i think they did not tell me because they did nothing because they do not know what to do. The car will crank but will not turn over every once in a while. Does anybody else have this problem? Did anybody ever have this problem? Anything I could do? Any Possible Solutions? Thanks a lot In Advance

 

[PLRBEAR]

Do you have paper records that they tried to fix it twice? If so, send it in again and get another record on paper. Then, if your local lemon laws work like most states, you'll get a new truck. Don't mention the Lemon Law in front of them though., just pretend like you know nothing.

 

[neon_98_x_sport]

is there really such a thing as a lemon law or what?

 

[jimbo74]

yes. lemon laws exist..... if they cant fix it and it is documented that they tried 3 or more times. they must by law give you a new truck..dont tell them that you are trying to do the lemon law to get the truck though.... go to the traffic dept of a local courthouse and ask about it....

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

lemon laws are in place almost everywhere i believe. they are inplace to protect us the consumer from fraudulent sales, and products that shouldnt be on the road, or are being sold under false terms. it might not be that complicated yet though. try to eliminate as many possible problems as you can. is it fuel or fire? you might have a selenoid going bad, maybe a bad connection on your battery, maybe a bad battery, altenator, ignition coil. also you ight want to get a code reader {$30} the book that comes with it is very helpful and it is really easy to use. it will even help if the truck i dead as long as the batterry is in it. get your haynes manual and check out the troubleshooting section. the more information you have the less crap a mechanic or dealer is going to try and pull.
at one time my baby would just do nothing when i turned the key then i would turn it and it would click once, then i would do it again and it would start. i took out the battery and cleaned the terminals and post with a wire brush then the same thing onthe alternaotr, i couldnt get to the starter, but i did the selnoid and now idont have aproblem. it might have been batterry corrosion. mine had done this off and on for like 3 or 4 months before i got under the hood.
it might be this simple but it might be something bigger, just dont let them pull anything over on you.
gabe

 

[neon_98_x_sport]

thanks but i dont think its the battery or the starter because it will crank with no problem and it always starts fine except for when it is having its problem when it will only crank and not start could it be something with the security system or the chip in the key i need more help PLEASE

 

[tbomb]

well, youre in luck if your truck is the SOHC (well, maybe.) i had the same problem with my 98 sport SOHC 4x4. it would sporadically not start. it would crank but not start. then one day i was driving home from school, and on the highway the engine just shut off on me, you believe that?! i took it to ford, and they found that there was a vacuum leak - the lower intake manifold gasket was leaking, causing a vacuum leak. as it turns out, the problem was covered under some "warranty extension" program, might be part of the cam tensioner deal, not sure though. they fixed it about a month ago and my truck hasnt had that problem since then.

for your sake, i hope this is whats wrong with your truck, itll be free to fix it, not to mention that troubleshooting is always a b*tch. good luck and keep us updated, ive never heard of anyone else having the same problem i had, but im sure there are people out there with it.

 

[neon_98_x_sport]

thanks a lot for that info tbomb i will now go to the dealership and fight them until they check it out like u said and fix it

 

[tbomb]

good luck man, and dont forget to let us know how you make out.

 

[neon_98_x_sport]

thanx guys it turned out to be a short in the fuel pump so they say

 

[rockymntnhi]

Kool

Thats what I was going to suggest .....

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by PLRBEAR
Do you have paper records that they tried to fix it twice? If so, send it in again and get another record on paper. Then, if your local lemon laws work like most states, you'll get a new truck. Don't mention the Lemon Law in front of them though., just pretend like you know nothing.

Just to clarify the lemon law: The three problems must occur within the first 12 months of ownership. After that, the lemon law doesn't apply. There are other rules as well such that it only takes two attempts on a safety related issue or if your vehicle has been out for service for 30 days during the 12 months. If the arbitration board sides with you and agrees that Ford should buy the vehicle back, the will deduct for wear and tear for the length of time that you had it.