I have a 1998 Ford Escort with a hard start problem. Not a battery, alternator or other problem – I believe it’s related to an engine sensor, but am not sure which one.<\/p>\n
Symptoms:
\n–\u00a0Difficult to start – outside air temperature affects whether the car will start harder – higher temperatures are harder starting, with temperatures in the 80’s and above causing significant problems<\/p>\n
–\u00a0Engine temperature has no bearing on the ease or difficulty of starting<\/p>\n
–\u00a0No engine light, and therefore no engine codes<\/p>\n
–\u00a0As far as I’m aware, no significant negative fuel efficiency impact (still gets about 30 MPG)<\/p>\n
–\u00a0When the engine does start, it sounds like it’s chugging for a few seconds – like it’s flooded \u2013 then clears right up.<\/p>\n
When I get ready to start the car, I depress the accelerator pedal and let go. I try to start the car, pressing the accelerator a little – it tries to turn over, but won’t “catch”. I turn the key to the “off” position, then try starting the car again without putting my foot on the accelerator pedal at all – the car starts right up. This process is reproduced consistently each time I start the car (when outside air temperature is cool).<\/p>\n
When outside air temperatures are hot, it\u2019s taken me as long as 20 minutes to get the engine running, and 25-30 tries. It acts like it\u2019s flooded, chugging for a few seconds when it finally starts.<\/p>\n
Occasionally, I have a different problem (but which I think is related) – when I turn the key to start the engine, nothing at all happens. There is no electrical system function, other than the “Service Engine Soon” light is lit. There is no click or other sound (like a starter problem), and I can\u2019t even get the engine to try turning over. As soon as I disconnect and reconnect the negative battery terminal, all electrical functions are restored and I can start the car. Although I can’t confirm it, it seems that this occurs after a certain number of starts (or attempts) occur. I suspect this might be related to a bad sensor sending information to the control module, and “overloading” it (and the disconnect\/reconnect resets the control module).<\/p>\n
Any ideas on which sensor might be at fault?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"