2002 Taurus intermittent no start

[terry274]

My daughter has a 2002 Ford Taurus with the Duratec 3.0 engine. Car has 90,000 miles. She has owned it for about a month so we don't know much about its history, but from what we do know it has been well maintained. That is, the previous owner changed the oil regularly and had the transmission fluid changed at 70,000 miles. The car runs fine and normally starts quickly.
Recently the car failed to start on two separate occasions. I believe the engine was cold both times. I was not present either time. She said it cranked fine, just wouldn't start. Eventually it did start, we don't know why.
Does anyone know of a common failure item on this model that would cause this problem?
When it fails to start the next time, how do I check for spark on a car with COP?
Thanks, Terry

 

[yonyon]

Before you worry too much about things like spark and fuel and whatnot, make sure it's getting air. When it won't start, give a slight push on the gas pedal and see if that makes it start. No air-> no fire.

Also: If lack of air isn't the problem, look for fuel next. A no spark condition is pretty unusual on this car.

 

[Roadkingnc]

I agree with the above post, I would take the iac valve off and clean it, that will probably fix it. If not your not out any money for parts. The valve sticking shut is a well known problem.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

Might check the crankshaft position sensor.

 

[irad]

Also check the camshaft position sensor. Both crank and cam shaft sensors are used for timing of the spark.

 

[nitehawk55]

Don't think those have a CPS

 

[chad8]

Join and ask here .

http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/

 

[exranger06]

When the no start condition occurs, listen and see if you can hear the fuel pump turning on. You should be able to hear it when you turn the ignition on. If it's not turning on, it could be a bad pump, but before you replace the pump, check the fuel pump relay AND the ECU relay. I once had an intermittent no-start on my Explorer and every time it wouldn't start I couldn't hear the fuel pump turn on. ECU relay not turning on meant the ECU wouldn't turn on, which wouldn't activate the fuel pump relay, which wouldn't turn the fuel pump on. That problem was difficult to diagnose, to say the least.

 

[punisher]

Simple stuff first- Does the SES/ck eng light come on when the ignition is switched to the "RUN" position? It should.

Does the light go out during cranking? This is the easiest/quickest test for a crank sensor. If the engine turns over, but the SES light stays on, then you have no crank signal input.

Might not hurt to pull codes. Sometimes you will get a code that will point you in the right direction. A code like "Fuel Pump Primary Fault" might lead to a wiring/fuel pump relay problem etc.

In a no start situation it might be good to cycle the ignition key a few times before starting again to verify the fuel rail has pressure.

 

[terry274]

I forgot to mention, I checked for codes with Torque Pro. There were none.

 

[terry274]

For anyone following this thread, I changed the fuel pump and that seems to have fixed the problem. The old pump was making a slight growling, grinding sound.

 

[another Todd]

My Ford Focus (2005) does this occasionally, especially when cold. As mentioned previously, a moderate push on the accelerator pedal brings it to life every time, then it runs fine.