Problems- Starting and now running

[sbranco]

Ok so I have read through alot of threads and even different forums to see if I can find an answer to resolve all my problems but it seems like everything could be it and I really don't want to buy this and that and another of this and that just to find out it isn't the issue.
So if someone can help me rule out and better narrow down my options I would really appreciate it.

I have 2003 Ford Sport Trac XLT
It has the 4.0L SOHC engine and has less than 80k miles on it.

My first problem started 6 months ago (before that everything seemed fine)
When starting the engine, I would have to crank (not sure if that is the right word... I meant turning the key and holding it to start the engine) twice to get the car to start. Lately, it has gotten as bad as 3-4 times (on and off) to get it started and when it does finally start, it acts as if it is slowly getting power almost like a flashlight with low batteries, the light comes on but faint.

Here is what I've also noticed: When I fill my gas tank to full, even if the car has been sitting overnight, when I turn my key, it starts like nothing is wrong.
Any less than empty, it just gets worse and worse and more I have to try to crank it to get it to start.

In order to resolve the issue I have (since battery is only about 2 yrs old) replaced the spark plugs, its wires, and fuel filter.

That actualy made no difference to the currect problem and suddenly I have another major problem.

The more pressing problem is that now, when I drive, I cannot go uphill without loosing speed (and on good days where I've got some momentum before getting to the hill, then I can maintain the speed but never increase).
I cannot step on the gas and have my truck... just go like it used to.. it just slugs along and gradually and painfully slowly picks up speed. I'm actually suprised no one has honked at me because of my slowness in picking up speed.
It is like it no longer has power.
I know my transmission works fine, because eventually, when i keep picking up speed I can feel it shift and see that reflected on the RPM.

During careful driving I can force my CEL to flash by simply flooring my gas (which don't worry doesn't move as fast as it should so it is pretty safe when done at low speed or from stop)
I can force CEL to stay on by continuing to floor the gas after it has flashed.


I have taken it to a nearby mechanic who checked all the spark plugs, the wire and found them not to be the issue.
The mechanic says that his code reader shows:
Random Misfire
Cylinder #1 Misfire
Cylinder #3 Misfire

he could not see why because apparently according to him his universal code reader doesn't get details because apparently according to him for Ford, you really have to take it to the Ford dealers and their readers are the only ones that can get that detail?!?!

I went to Auto Zone since i know they're free and found that I am getting:
Random Misfire
Cylinder #3 Misfire
Fuel Injector #1 problem
Crankshaft Sensor problem

So in order to try and resolve the issue, I got the Fuel Injector and the CKP sensor.
I was able to get the CKP replaced with no difference in performance.
I cannot figure out where fuel injector #1 is located so that is pending.

Does anyone have an idea of what my underlining problem is?
If I can find a way to easily rule out what it isn't I think i would be much better off.

Some things I already saw people doing with similar issues:
Replacing Fuel Pump
Replacing other sensors (oxygen, and ICA?<-- haven't gotten to researching that one yet)
Rebuilding engine
Replacing cylinders
and much much more...

If you haven't figured it out, I'm obviously a newbie when it comes to automotive mechanics... any help would be very appreciated.

 

[ncranchero]

My first recommendation is to disconnect the battery for, say, 10 minutes. Reconnect and drive it, will probably require 20-30 miles. Get the codes read and get the code numbers not someones generic reference. Post the code numbers back here. Number 1 should be the front passenger side injector. Do the code numbers first.

Fuel pressure, clogged exhaust/converter/plug wires.

 

[05dakotatrac]

from the two sources telling you random misfires, specific misfires, and an injector my guesses would be (in order of least difficult/expensive to most expensive/technical):

bad fuel, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator (in tank IIRC), fuel injector(s), fuel pump

some other issues that can cause misfires spark plugs, wires, ignition module

some other more remote issues might be complete intake/throttle body cleaning, MAF cleaning

all i can tell you is best of luck. random misfires is a gremlin that can get the best of you. with you mentioning #1 injector i would lean towards fuel issues first.

 

[Teejay4490]

Thats sounds like a dying fuel pump more than anything. Try replacing it first.

 

[sbranco]

Codes

Thank you guys for your inputs...
I would have posted the actual codes with my original post I didn't have them on me... <-- at work


I am leaning towards having to replace my fuel pump itself to resolve my starting problems but is there something I can do better to clean out any debris from the entire fuel system? If there is would it be worth bothering? Or should I just jump straight to replacing the fuel pump?


Here is what I had gotten from Auto Zone- these were gotten before i replaced the CKP sensor but definitely after battery had been disconnected, all codes reset and purposefully drove it to cause the codes to come up:
P0316- Crankshaft Position Sensor
P0201- Fuel Injector Circuit Condition - Injector number 1
P0303- Cylinder misfire number 3
P0300- Cylinder misfire- random cylinders

I still haven't replaced the fuel injector number 1.
I have the haynes book for my car but the only thing in there about fuel injector is an arrow of where it is generically and how to check if it is working by listening to it click...
Is the fuel injector number 1 next to cylinder 1? I'm assuming it is but I could be wrong of course. Is it something I can locate by looking from the top or would it be better to look from underneath? Or something I can follow like a wire or pipe that would lead me to it?

Sorry if I am asking too much. I really don't know much about dealing with automotive issues... my dad has always taken care of it for me in the past.

 

[sbranco]

from the two sources telling you random misfires, specific misfires, and an injector my guesses would be (in order of least difficult/expensive to most expensive/technical):

bad fuel, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator (in tank IIRC), fuel injector(s), fuel pump

Not sure how to determine bad fuel... is there a good way to do that? I always get the lowest octane (cheaper) unleaded gas from wawa or 7-11.
Fuel Filter was replaced so hopefully that is okay.
How do I check the Fuel Pressure Regulator without having to take my gas tank apart? Or is that something that is part of the pump?

some other issues that can cause misfires spark plugs, wires, ignition module

Spark plugs and wires were replaced and also rechecked.
Don't get annoyed with me... like I said Im a complete newbie regarding cars... but what makes you think it could be the ignition module? I haven't see that come up much at all when i searched for both of my issues so i am just curious. I wish I knew more in detail as to how all these parts work together.

some other more remote issues might be complete intake/throttle body cleaning, MAF cleaning

all i can tell you is best of luck. random misfires is a gremlin that can get the best of you. with you mentioning #1 injector i would lean towards fuel issues first.

Can I do these with some sort of fluid without taking everything apart? and how do I know if cleaning is actually needed?

 

[05dakotatrac]

I'm not mad at you everyone has their own level of car knowledge so no worries buddy all the cleaning and ignition stuff doesn't matter yet. Start with the fuel filter it's cheap and easy to do. If that don't fix it then drop the tank and check out the pump

 

[sbranco]

Thanks for the help ~
fuel filter was changed when the sparks were.
I think the fuel pump will definitely solve by ignition problem but I don't want to touch it until I get the more pressing matter fixed.


My main problem has actually gotten worse.... I now have trouble from 0mph and on.

Strangely though something I notice is everytime sparkplugs were messed with, rather it was replacing them or its wires, the car drives significantly better and smooth for about 3 rides. After that it is back to how it is or worse...
would that mean anything?

Another thing I noticed since since the first time we got the sparks, wires, and the fuel filter replaced is some sort of a tap, tap, tap sound... kind of like if you had a plastic stick taped to a belt that is rotating... and the plastic is hitting something while the belt turns.

 

[sbranco]

Auto Zone codes as of 04-25

Here are the codes that now appear since i changed the CKP sensor (which seems to have been a waste of time and effort)

P300
P301
P303
P316

Do you think that coil pack could cause this?
I'm wondering if it got damaged when the wires and sparkplugs were being changed