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        General >> Problems >> Car won't start
        
(Message started by: Wayne24v on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 2:06pm)

Title: Car won't start
Post by Wayne24v on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 2:06pm

Please please please can someone help me out. I've had my 24v Scorpio for about 2 years now, with few problems (apart from the mandatory ABS warning light - now cured).

3 times now in the 2 years I've dad it the car will not start. When the key is turned there is nothing, the starter motor won't even crank over, and it's not the battery.

The AA came out to it the other day, he checked all the fuses and relays, and also cranked the starter motor from underneath. The engine started, but then dies as soon as the fuel that was primed in the fuel pump was used up. He also checked the "start inhibitor" relay and said it wasn't that.

The AA guy reckons the ECU is simply not turning "on", maybe indicating that it might be an immmobiliser fault. The most difficuilt part is that the car cures itself after a few hours, and so taking it to Ford would mean trying to find a fault that isn't exactly there = £££.
:o

Any ideas, similar experiences would be greatfully appreciated. I've lost all confidence in the car at the moment. The last time it happened I was left stranded at the ferry port! :-[

Cheers,
Wayne

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by TonyS on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 2:12pm

Certainly for the 12v the starter motor is wired direct to the ignition key so even if the immobiliser has kicked in the car will crank, just no fuel gets injected.

What systems are operational when this happens - lights, radio etc?

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by Wayne24v on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 2:15pm

Everything else fully functional. When the ignition is switched on you can hear the fuel pump at the back priming, when you then try to crank it you get nothing. All lights etc stay lit as usual, it just doesn't start...

Cheers
Wayne

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by Eddie on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 3:09pm

A similar problem I had was traced to a connector on the starter motor itself.Next time you get the problem,try moving (loath to say "wiggle") the wires to the starter.The guy who serviced the starter for me said it was a fairly common problem.

eddie

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by Paul B on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 4:47pm

Had a dodgy bit in the fusebox of my old Granada once. Just happened to be where the fuel injection relay was.
Thinking about it though, that was different - it would crank over, just not fire.
As Eddie says, check those terminals on the starter motor.

Paul

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by Wayne24v on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 6:31pm

Thanks for the advice. I'm getting the car looked at this week. At least I will be able to give the guy some advice, rather than just saying "it won't start".

Cheers
Wayne

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by allante on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 10:40pm

You sure you havent got a dodgy key? if the PATS transponder in the key is faulty it will turn but do nothing. have you tried a different key, such as the red master one? or sometimes if you have lots of other keys on your keyring and one is covering part of the key i tcan cause it.
easy to work out as the led on the top will flash a fault code if the PATS isnt connecting when you try to start it

Andy

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by Wayne24v on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 10:43pm

Funny you should say that because the mechanic who is going to look at it (my brother-in-law), asked me if the LED was flashing. Unfortunately I never looked. I've sent him my red key to check it out.

I'm hoping it is the key that's faulty, as I've got another spare one so can just bin this one.

Cheers
Wayne

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by allante on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 10:49pm

The reason I say it is because I got an extra key with mine that the previous owner had had cut, unfortunately it wasnt a pats key and i was forever picking it up and trying to start it with it so the symptoms are very familiar! as for the guy saying the ecu just wasnt turning on, thats what happens when it doesnt recognize the pats code.
my spare key got relegated to the kitchen drawer, you know the one, the one with all the old keys, staplers, fairy light bulbs and the instructions for the steam iron you threw out years ago!
Youve all got a kitchen drawer like that so dont pretend you aint!!
;D

Andy

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by Paul B on Apr 4^th, 2004, 8:15am

I do indeed have a drawer like that. But don't forget the handful of loose screws and drawing pins.
And whenever you want anything from the drawer, its always tangled up with that useless piece of string you saved. >:(

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by Wayne24v on Apr 4^th, 2004, 8:57am

Yeah it seems like it's definately going to be the key that's at fault. Thanks for all the help.

I also have a kitchen drawer like that, full of batteries, instruction manuals, safety pins etc etc. But my wife :-X won't let me look for anything in the d**n thing, for fear that I'll "mess it up!"

Then again, I don't let her touch my Scorpio. ;D

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by allante on Apr 4^th, 2004, 10:50am

yep, AAA batteries, all flat, shoelace-tangled and all the rubbish things out of the xmas crackers. And theres always something gets stuck down the back and stops it from shutting, mainly because its tangled up in Pauls string. oh and dont forget cake candles, used!

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by george on Apr 4^th, 2004, 11:44am

hi wayne my 24v had the same problem after a few times stranded at the side of the road i decided to investigate an i found it to be the fuel pump relay in the passenger side fuse box its number r17 try getting someone to turn it over while you give it a wiggle the relay is green with a purple spot on the top its worth a try matey let us know if it is will ya

Title: Re: Car won't start
Post by Wayne24v on Apr 4^th, 2004, 7:07pm

Thanks mate, I'll try that. In fact I might just buy a new relay to be sure. I want confidence back in the car.

Cheers
Wayne