Yet another start/stall issue...

[hotkarl]

Hello to everybody, and thanks for all the information I've gotten while lurking here for the past few years...Ha.

Anyway, I've been through every no start/stall thread, and I have narrowed it down somewhat, but before I start spending money I don't have, I'd just like a little input on some things. I am a fairly decent mechanic, however my technical know-how is slightly lacking on computer controlled "later-model" cars.

'97 XLT SOHC V6, just under 130K. Bought it around 5 or 6 years ago with 106K. Ran fairly decent since I've owned it, only had minor mechanical issues, and some intermittant gremlins that came and went. Most of the problems I've had over the years were suspension related.

Friday she started right up as usual, went through my regular routine for the day, and then parked for the night...Saturday morning no start. Cranked and cranked and cranked but wouldn't turn over. Almost turned over a few times but never was able to get it started. I murdered the battery, which was the original, and I figured with the brutally cold weather we've been having, the battery just wasn't pumping out enough cranking amps to turn her over.
And I later verified that the battery was indeed shot.

So this morning I went out and picked up a new battery. It took a few cranks,( I think I flooded it a little yesterday) but she started up and ran good for a few minutes. Then I started getting a rough idle and stalling. If I gave a little gas, she would smooth out and run, but as soon as you let off the pedal it would sputter and crap out.
(this is the part where I pull out my hair and come back to the forum for a few more hours).
I go back out and trouble shoot as much as I can with my limited diagnostic tools(and skills) and couldn't pin point anything.
So for ***** and giggles I pull one of the plugs, and there is nothing left but a crusty little nub. And yes, shame on me, I haven't tuned her up since I bought her, and yes again, they appear to be the original Motorcraft Platinums.

My question is, could all of this no start/stall be related to the plugs? Could it really be this simple of a fix?
It ran fine, no problems other than a sputter here and there up until I went to start it Saturday. It literally ran fine one day, and not the next.
And now when I start it, it runs great for a minute or so before it starts to sputter and die.


Any help/tips would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[marragtop]

When it doesn't start, do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to ON? If not, then you have a fuel delivery problem. Since the plug looked bad, I would go ahead and replace the plugs and the wires to see what difference that makes. It's easiest to get to the plugs through the wheel wells.

 

[hotkarl]

Thanks for the reply.
The fuel pump is working. I'm going to attempt to change the plugs today.
It's brutally cold outside though, and I've got another "Driveway Queen" blocking the garage, so I have to work outside. Yikes!

Judging by the condition of the plugs, I'm suprised it ran at all, there is nothing left of the electrode but a little bump. Normally with plugs, you would get some indication that they need to be changed...missing, rough idle, hard starts, hesitation etc...
Other than a miss here and there at idle, and maybe a hesitation at starting recently, She ran really good.

 

[my98nnj]

I'm suprised it ran at all, there is nothing left of the electrode but a little bump.

Plat. plugs only have a small skinny kind of wimpy looking electrode to start with.
Do change your plugs, but don't let that little nub of an electrode confuse you. It's probably not your problem.

 

[my98nnj]

EDIT: How do I delete a double post?

There's no delete button?

 

[hotkarl]

I'm an idiot. Sorta.

All the crap the other day, and then changing the battery, I neglected to let the computer reset itself. I did the ignition in the "on" position trick for a minute or so, turned the key and she fired right up and runs good again. I let it idle for about 5 minutes or so to "relearn" the idle etc...and it seems to have solved the problem. Hopefully the issue is over.

Now I still need to do the plugs, and do an oil change because I skunked the oil with fuel from flooding it the other day when I was trying to start it.
I still can't believe it runs at all judging by the condition of the plugs.
There literally is nothing left but a black dot where the electrode used to be.
Ha!