A very odd issue.

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xxx280sx

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First, I would just like to say hello. I've been lurking on this forum for the past 6 months or so, and I have learned a lot. I decided to make an account today.

My name is Johnathan, and I am the owner of a 2003 Lincoln LS V6 with 92,xxx on the clock. The car is beautiful, and I've always liked the look of the car. When I bought it, the first thing I did was audio upgrades, (All Infinity speakers, 2 Phoenix Gold amps for the doors, and a Kenwood DDX-370 double din HU, with 2 Sundown SA-12's, and a Sundown 2500 amp). The next plan was going to be suspension and exhuast, but I ran across a very odd issue.

The car will not start, like, at all, if it's below 40 degrees outside. If I crank the car (maybe 30-40 times) I can get it to fire, and then it dies again. The car repeats this process 5 or 6 times, and then it will fire, and stay running, with a very very rough idle. Eventually, the idle smooths itself out, and it's ok. The car isn't throwing a CEL, so I have no idea where to start. It's almost like the car isn't getting fuel, but it fires and runs fine if the weather is above 50 degrees or so. I'm not sure what the problem is, and you guys seem like experts with these cars. I've searched and searched and can't seem to find someone mimicking my issue.

Thank you in advance, for all of your help. I appreciate it. And if this has already been answered, then I do apologize, as I legitimately could not find the thread.

Thank you again.

-Johnathan.
 
when was the last time the fuel filter was replaced?




also, your not holding down the gas pedal when starting right?
 
I have no idea. The filter has not been replaced to my knowledge. Do you think that could be the issue? If so, why would it do it only when it was cold outside?

And no, I am not holding down the gas pedal when I'm starting it. I do that with my truck, (1968 GMC 1/2 ton. It's carbbed though), but not with the Lincoln. Thank you for your response, I appreciate it.
 
1LoudLS said:
when was the last time the fuel filter was replaced?
Click to expand...

Halfway through the OP's post, first thing I thought of as well. Then intake air filter along with cleaning the MAF sensor.


1LoudLS said:
also, your not holding down the gas pedal when starting right?
Click to expand...

I thought this to be irrelevant, isn't it controlled by the PCM on cold start?



... and greetings, welcome to xxx280sx
 
BigRigLS said:
Halfway through the OP's post, first thing I thought of as well. Then intake air filter along with cleaning the MAF sensor.




I thought this to be irrelevant, isn't it controlled by the PCM on cold start?



... and greetings, welcome to xxx280sx
Click to expand...

The air filter is new. I will try cleaning out the MAF tomorrow. The fuel filter will be replaced sometime in the near future as well. On another forum I'm on, a guy said it could be an issue with the intake gasket, and it's expanding enough when it's warn outside to make a good seal or something. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but I'm also at a loss currently. I've never had this problem before.

As for pressing down on the gas pedal in the car, I'm fairly certain that all of that is controlled via the PCM?

Anyways, thank you for the welcome! I am hoping to learn a lot, and contribute in any way possible.

Thank you for your response!

-Johnathan.
 
"GENTLY" clean the MAF sensor.
get the correct spray cleaner for it and don't touch the element with anything, just light spray applications and let it dry naturally.
 
BigRigLS said:
...I thought this to be irrelevant, isn't it controlled by the PCM on cold start?
Click to expand...

I think he was asking to make sure that xxx280sx wasn't accidentally putting it in clear-flood mode, which would turn the fuel off.
 
Today was a perfect example of what the car is doing. I went outside to start the car to head to work. I've been counting the amount of times I have to crank the car, so as to try to find the average of how long it's going to take me to get going, so I can get to work in a timely manner. I cranked it 34 times, and on time 35, the engine came to life, ran for 1/2 a second, and died. It did this several more times, and then stayed running. The car is still not throwing and CEL's, so I'm not sure what's going on here. It will only do this when it's about 45 degrees or less outside. It's ridiculous. I love the look of the car, and the interior is amazing, but I can't have something like this as my only reliable means of transportation.
 
xxx280sx said:
Today was a perfect example of what the car is doing. I went outside to start the car to head to work. I've been counting the amount of times I have to crank the car, so as to try to find the average of how long it's going to take me to get going, so I can get to work in a timely manner. I cranked it 34 times, and on time 35, the engine came to life, ran for 1/2 a second, and died. It did this several more times, and then stayed running. The car is still not throwing and CEL's, so I'm not sure what's going on here. It will only do this when it's about 45 degrees or less outside. It's ridiculous. I love the look of the car, and the interior is amazing, but I can't have something like this as my only reliable means of transportation.
Click to expand...

Fuel condition? Moisture in the fuel could freeze in the line and cause a blockage. I guess.... Doesn't get that cold here :p
 
well last week wasn't too bad, it got back up above 20 and we all were going out with single coats...

but then it got back down to -11 over the weekend :(



they say it should be getting better soon... fml still not enough to make me want to move to the people's republik lol
 
My thought would be a defective coolant sending unit. If the sending unit is defective and not reading cold enough, the computer won't compensate for the temperature. Ergo, rough running until the engine is warm enough to run off the warm weather program.
 
Telco said:
My thought would be a defective coolant sending unit. If the sending unit is defective and not reading cold enough, the computer won't compensate for the temperature. Ergo, rough running until the engine is warm enough to run off the warm weather program.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Is there a way to test for this, or do I just replace it? A quick Google search shows that they aren't too expensive.

Where is this located, and I'll go about getting it out. I got snowed out from work today, so the LS will be getting my attention.
 
Testing it involves removing it, then measuring resistance in cold water and in hot water. I don't know what the values should be for a given temp though, or where to find this sender on the LS. The sender is cheap enough to just replace instead of test though. Use Motorcraft senders only, non-OEMs are designed to almost work on a wide range of cars while the OEMs are designed to work for the specific car. Even if the OEM uses the same sensor across multiple platforms, those platforms are designed to use that sensor.

And, go ahead and change the fuel filter. They're only good for 1000 gallons at most. I wouldn't blame a temperature-sensitive problem on the filter though, only a high RPM issue that is getting worse (the affected RPM gets lower and lower) over time, or unless it just suddenly runs like complete crap a few miles after filling the tank.
 
Telco said:
Testing it involves removing it, ...
Click to expand...

There is an easier way, but xxx280sx may not have the tool required.
With a good scan tool, you can see exactly what temperature is being reported for that sensor (and several others).
 
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