2002 Lincoln LS starting problems

[bybilly]

Hi guys, my first post here!

I got a 2002 Lincoln LS V8. Sometimes when I start it, the engine doesn't start or starts briefly and then shuts down and the anti theft alarm goes off.

This problem never happens when the engine is cold. When I take the car long distances and engine is hot, the car has no problem starting up again. The problem usually occours when I drive short distances such as a 5 min drive, get in and out of a store and it has a hard time starting. I have to make numerous attempts to start the engine before it'll actually start all while having to shut off the alarm between starts.

Anybody else have experience with this problem? Is it computer, ignition or alarm malfunction? Could it be heat related since the problem doesn't happen when engine is cold or hot but somewhere in the middle? Battery issues?

Would disarming the anti theft system prevent this issue and/or will it create other problems if I disable it?

 

[joegr]

With the limited amount of info, I'd have to say that your battery being weak would be the best suspect right now. Many autopart stores will load test batteries for free. Unfortunately, few have the correct battery that safely fits in the LS.

 

[bybilly]

With the limited amount of info, I'd have to say that your battery being weak would be the best suspect right now. Many autopart stores will load test batteries for free. Unfortunately, few have the correct battery that safely fits in the LS.

Got a little more info. Battery has a view window and it's showing green and I had a little battery tester and it shows green too. My battery tester doesn't tell me exactly how many volts though. Battery in the car is a Motorcraft brand rated for 650 amps and was in the car since I bought it and I can't find anywhere on how old it is. Since it's a Motorcraft, maybe it's the original making it about 9 years old now?

I'll go to the auto parts store and get a load test as you recommend Joegr. If anybody else has any ideas, please share. Thanks.

 

[bybilly]

With the limited amount of info, I'd have to say that your battery being weak would be the best suspect right now. Many autopart stores will load test batteries for free. Unfortunately, few have the correct battery that safely fits in the LS.

Got a little more info. Battery has a view window and it's showing green and I had a little battery tester and it shows green too. My battery tester doesn't tell me exactly how many volts though. Battery in the car is a Motorcraft brand rated for 650 amps and was in the car since I bought it and I can't find anywhere on how old it is. Since it's a Motorcraft, maybe it's the original making it about 9 years old now?

I'll go to the auto parts store and get a load test as you recommend Joegr. If anybody else has any ideas, please share. Thanks.

 

[bybilly]

With the limited amount of info, I'd have to say that your battery being weak would be the best suspect right now. Many autopart stores will load test batteries for free. Unfortunately, few have the correct battery that safely fits in the LS.

I took got the battery load tested and the battery failed. Now I learned not to trust my cheap battery tester and the view window on the battery itself since it showed green. I bought a battery and I'll see if it cures the problem. If I still have a problem, I'll come back and post in this thread. Thanks for the help joegr.