Problems starting

[SLOW04GT]

I am having trouble with my GT starting up. This has been happening since I bought it new a year ago but the dealer can't find the problem.

The problem I am having is when starting the car it will sit there turning over and either just not start, or (and this is more common) I will let off on the key and stop trying to start and the starter will go silent but the car will suddenly rev up and start about a second or two later. Sometimes it will also try to start and just die. Everytime this happens it starts right up on the second try.

This happens the most when I have recently turned the car off and I am trying to start it up again, like at a gas station after I am done pumping (say 5-10 minutes) or after I grab some lunch and hop back in the car 45 mins later. In the morning going to work or evening leaving work I start it and I have no problem.

Any idea on what this might be? I have tried 2 different dealerships and they both can't replicate it or give me an idea on what it the problem could be.

 

[Red2000GT]

Do any lights flash on the dash (like a "security" light) ? when it doesn't start.

 

[Four Point Six]

I had a similar problem in my car two or three times, but it hasn't done it in a while. It would kind of stumble to a start after it set for a few minutes. My theory is one of the injectors is leaking into one of the cylinders and momentarily causing a rich condition in one cylinder and a lean condition in the rest, due to the lack of residual fuel pressure. This is only SWAG, but I have seen it happen before.

 

[SLOW04GT]

Do any lights flash on the dash (like a "security" light) ? when it doesn't start.

No lights flash and nothing out of the normal happens except that it won't start.

 

[SLOW04GT]

I had a similar problem in my car two or three times, but it hasn't done it in a while. It would kind of stumble to a start after it set for a few minutes. My theory is one of the injectors is leaking into one of the cylinders and momentarily causing a rich condition in one cylinder and a lean condition in the rest, due to the lack of residual fuel pressure. This is only SWAG, but I have seen it happen before.

That's interesting, I'll have to have the dealer check the injectors out and see if they can find a problem. I'm ready to try anything at this point, it's driving me nuts

 

[KronicRacer]

dim lights?

 

[ADRENLN]

very common problem ive posted and seen many replies in the past. my car was doing that for 3 years, ever since new. for som odd reason it now does the oppasite. now i only get the cold start problem in the morning, and it starts good while the engine is hot. for 3 years before this it was exactly like yours.

it would start really weak or not at all. it would just crank over and over. this would only be after the engine was fully heated. dealers dont have a clue, trust me. just try to let your engine cool down between starting if you can. thats what i tried to do.

 

[00GTblkvert]

Good to see i'm not the only one with this problem, my car does the same thing. Not all the time but about every few weeks it will do it. Always starts fine on the second try. I've cleaned the battery terminals and looked at the wires [looks good to me]. I always use a good name gas and change the fuel filter regularly. Guess i'ts just a 4.6L gremlin.

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[SLOW04GT]

very common problem ive posted and seen many replies in the past. my car was doing that for 3 years, ever since new. for som odd reason it now does the oppasite. now i only get the cold start problem in the morning, and it starts good while the engine is hot. for 3 years before this it was exactly like yours.

it would start really weak or not at all. it would just crank over and over. this would only be after the engine was fully heated. dealers dont have a clue, trust me. just try to let your engine cool down between starting if you can. thats what i tried to do.

You just described it exactly. It's annoying to say the least.

Good to see i'm not the only one with this problem, my car does the same thing. Not all the time but about every few weeks it will do it. Always starts fine on the second try. I've cleaned the battery terminals and looked at the wires [looks good to me]. I always use a good name gas and change the fuel filter regularly. Guess i'ts just a 4.6L gremlin.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Yeah it sounds like it must be a problem with the 4.6L's. I've done the same as you and no luck either. I also didn't see any TSB's describing this problem. It's a

dim lights?

I haven't noticed if the lights dim or not, I haven't driven at night lately. I'll check it out one of these nights.

Did it again this morning after getting gas :damnit:

 

[5spdBlack]

wow this happens to you guys too haha

 

[vipergt]

Mine did the same thing at cold start up. I replaced my fipk with a demolet and it was not as bad but still did it from time to time. Then I replaced my fuel filter 2 weeks ago and as not done it once since. I also heard from a mechanic that it could be the maf shaking at startup.

 

[98V6 K.I.T.T.]

I seem to be having the same symptons, it's weird how it doesn't ALWAYS do it. I was going to throw some fuel injector cleaner in it, and have an overall good tune up done to it, and probably clean the MAF, and see if this helps. It's going to need it's 30/35K maintenance done soon anyways.