Cold weather and the LS

Ancillery

Ancillery

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Hello all, I have searched around on these forums and Google for the answer to my problem, and while getting some good info am still stumped to the problem im having.

I have a 2002 Lincoln LS V8 that cranks but will not start. I have checked and tested the battery, and verified the fuel pump is working by listening for it when the key is turned, I checked and cleaned the idle air valve but it still didn't seem to want to move freely. I checked fuses but not relays, as i am not sure what is what. I tried starting it with the MAF disconnected and still nothing, I scoured the engine bay for vacuum leaks and everything is tight and secure. Only things I can think of are the fuel filter, some wiring harness I read about, replacing the idle air valve.

It recently starting doing this over a week as its gotten colder, the car never had any previous problems. It will sometimes start right up and other times it takes a few cranks, and now it wont start at all. Im pretty mechanically inclined and am willing to do the work to avoid the dealership, so any help pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated.
 
1) Does it start when you press down the throttle slightly? If so, then it's a IAC problem (mechanical valve problem, or potentially a signalling problem)

2) If it has been a long time since the fuel filter has been replaced then do that. It is a normal maintenance item.

3) Verify fuel pressure at the fuel rail. Need a tool to do this.

4) Verify injectors are firing. Simple method would be to just listen for the quiet tapping/clicking noise while cranking.

5) Verify spark. Not real easy on these, but can jury rig something together. Be careful not to shock yourself or start a fire.
 
Id start with the fuel side with the ideas^. the only no start problem i've had was caused by a bad wire connection going to the full system.... remember you can get the the fuel cell from under the rear seat...
 
Ancillery said:
Hello all, I have searched around on these forums and Google for the answer to my problem, and while getting some good info am still stumped to the problem im having.

I have a 2002 Lincoln LS V8 that cranks but will not start. I have checked and tested the battery, and verified the fuel pump is working by listening for it when the key is turned, I checked and cleaned the idle air valve but it still didn't seem to want to move freely. I checked fuses but not relays, as i am not sure what is what. I tried starting it with the MAF disconnected and still nothing, I scoured the engine bay for vacuum leaks and everything is tight and secure. Only things I can think of are the fuel filter, some wiring harness I read about, replacing the idle air valve.

It recently starting doing this over a week as its gotten colder, the car never had any previous problems. It will sometimes start right up and other times it takes a few cranks, and now it wont start at all. Im pretty mechanically inclined and am willing to do the work to avoid the dealership, so any help pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Seems like this is the likely culprit. IIRC, these things can't really be cleaned and must be replaced.
 
oddball said:
1) Does it start when you press down the throttle slightly? If so, then it's a IAC problem (mechanical valve problem, or potentially a signalling problem)

Just tried that and no dice.

2) If it has been a long time since the fuel filter has been replaced then do that. It is a normal maintenance item.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the original one, I bought this car from carmax but I suspect they didn't replace it.

3) Verify fuel pressure at the fuel rail. Need a tool to do this.

What kind of tool?

4) Verify injectors are firing. Simple method would be to just listen for the quiet tapping/clicking noise while cranking.

Ill give it a check

5) Verify spark. Not real easy on these, but can jury rig something together. Be careful not to shock yourself or start a fire.
Click to expand...

Not sure how to go about this one, aren't these cars Coil on plug?
 
Ancillery said:
Not sure how to go about this one, aren't these cars Coil on plug?
Click to expand...

There are several possible ways. Here's three suggestions.

1. Get a can of starter fluid and spray it into the intake at the filter box (but not through the filter) while someone else cranks the engine. If you get some firing, then the ignition is likely okay. (At least good enough to start it)

2. Pull the COPs off one by one (leave connected to the primary harness) and connect them to a non-installed sparkplug. Hold the plug against something metal that is grounded. Have someone crank the engine over while looking for sparks at the plug gap.

3. Get a spark tester from an auto store, follow directions included with it.
 
Ok I tried the started fluid in the intake, took a few tries but it sputtered and tried to start so it sounds like I have spark. So that leaves the fuel correct? And LDM thats actually $5 bucks cheaper than I found on rock auto good find. Im going to have a look at the fuel pump now, its under that black gasket thing under the back seat?
 
Ancillery said:
And LDM thats actually $5 bucks cheaper than I found on rock auto good find.
Click to expand...

Actually the "Motorcraft" IAC is $137.79 on RockAuto... aftermarket brands are less.

This is $69 cheaper (50% off) for the Motorcraft IAC at Amazon vs. RockAuto.

Good luck isolating the problem!
 
Good news all, I got this resolved but there's a little story. After trying everything in this thread and not wanting to throw anymore money at parts I broke down and had it towed to the dealership. I payed them the diagnostic fee and they said it was the fuel pump, and that my PCM needed to be recalibrated due to some recall. The fun part was they wanted $1200 bucks to do this. So I pretty much thanked them for the easy answer, towed the car back to the house and overnighted a fuel pump. Installed it and it fired right up, drove to Orileys and grabbed a fuel filter and replaced that too. Thanks for the help guys.
 
You did the right thing!

People without knowledge and DD done by them via the internet would have just wrote the dealer a check. Another one saved from the thievery that is a dealership!


So I am guessing the PCM recall is a non-issue?
 
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