Engine fails to start

[Zako2]

G3 Ford Taurus with Duratec engine with no error code, fresh battery, smooth engine idle and cruise, and the usual (lousy) fuel consumption. On and off, the car fails to start. The engine sputters and then dies. The usually happens right after the engine is turned off (e.g. at a gas station) about 1-2 times a week. Wait 5-10 minutes and it starts fine like nothing happened. Unfortunately, I don't own a fuel pressure gauge to do the pressure test exactly when it happens. I borrowed one from AutoZone, and at that time fuel pressure was fine, even with FPR vacuum hose pulled. I cleaned the IAC valve just in case. Does this sound like a fuel pump problem?

 

[01rangerxl]

Could be the fuel pump, but that's not the only possible culprit.

You probably have a PATS (passive anti-theft system) key, and sputtering then dying is exactly what will happen if PATS thinks you are stealing your car. Sometimes the system can act up in older vehicles.

Do you hear the fuel pump turn on when you turn the key to "on" in these situations? Next time turn the key to "on" and pause before trying to start and listen for the fuel pump. That can help eliminate the pump as a cause. No fuel pump hum means it's dying. It may have enough residual fuel in the lines to get a sputter if the FP isn't priming.

 

[Russ300H]

When it happens, just stick your finger on the pressure relief valve and see if it has pressure. In my experience it as been all or nothing. It still could be something like a crank sensor and that will not give a code on most dashes

 

[tdpark]

sounds like a fuel relay problem.

I had a honda that had the exact same symptoms.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

PATS disables the starter and ignition, but not the fuel. I spent almost an entire day with the wiring diagrams trying to bypass PATS.

Check the fuel filter. When my taurus' fuel filter plugged up, it didn't like to start if it sat between 15-60 minutes, or on the first start of the day.

Cycle the key 3 or 4 times between ON and off before going to start it. If this helps, you have a fuel delivery problem.