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Hard to start at 32°F

Hi,

Hope someone here had the same problem and maybe help me find the trouble.

My windstar 95 3.8L, have a hard time to start when the outside temperature reaches 32°F (0°C).

It looks as if the gas\air mixture isn't OK, I have the codes read, and there were none.

When driving, around 30m/h (50Km), and putting the throttle to the floor, the engine won't take it, and hesitate.

The plugs and wires are brand new.

Thanks.

Reply to
Yves
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Fuel Filter???

Reply to
Teknical

Or a dirty mass air flow sensor? Bob

Reply to
Bob

Does it start faster when you pump the pedal a few?

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

I haven't try that

"Backyard Mechanic" a écrit dans le message de news:Xns959AF07593FDBBkMch6d@207.115.63.158...

Reply to
Yves

The fuel filter was changed last spring (after suspecting it was the problem!)

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Reply to
Yves

Hum,

How can I clean (with what) a MAF sensor, without damaging it, it's a 250.00 sensor.

(it's allready been changed)!

But the symtoms I was having was rough Idling, but now the engine only misses randomly.

"Bob" a écrit dans le message de news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com...

Reply to
Yves

Check the idle air control valve

Reply to
lil9er

Well thanks,

But how do I test it?

"lil9er" a écrit dans le message de news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com...

Reply to
Yves

I unpluged the MAF, and got the same results...

Does that mean something...

"Bob" a écrit dans le message de news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com...

Reply to
yves

Yves opined in news:hJLjd.4701033$ snipped-for-privacy@news.easynews.com:

G#$#@@$32!!!!!!

SO...DID YOU EVER TRY IT?!!!!

Why do I get this deja-vu EVERYTIME.

  1. The maf has next to NO effect on starting the car..plugged or unplugged, if it RUNS better unplugged, it's either dirty or bad.

  1. IF the car starts better while pumping the accel, it means it's trying to start with too little gas, but there is gas available

could be an air leak after the throttle body (check vacuum lines), bad TPS, stuck IAC or a flaky ECT sensor (unlikely)

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

I tried, this morning, to pump the pedal once to the floor, and it was -6°C, and the engine started easily, I'll try again tomorrow, to make sure today wasn't only luck!

Then I'll check my vacuum lines.

How do I check the TPS, if the mechanics didn't find any codes.

is the IAC hard to reach, what is ECT?

Thanks.,

"Backyard Mechanic" a écrit dans le message de news:Xns959D70986A9EFBkMch6d@207.115.63.158...

Reply to
yves

yves opined in news:OG5ld.4331449$ snipped-for-privacy@news.easynews.com:

Okay... if you pump while cranking, the computer will feed MORE gas than normal.

If you push to the floor and HOLD IT there, the computer will feed LESS gas than normal.

The reason for this is that is how carburetors work and it's quite handy to know.

As for the terms, I just posted a glossary of EFI terms and a lot of other people helped out.

I suggest you get a Haynes or Chiltons book... you can find the locations of these at

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component locater in the repair section

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

Before reading your post, I did the same this morning, with less chance, before cranking I put the pedal to the floor and release, then crank... did not start easily.

Had to crank a few times.

Could this problem be related to the other problem I have with the van, lack of power, when I put the pedal to the floor, the engine simply doesn't "take" the gas,

Thanks for your help.

"Backyard Mechanic" a écrit dans le message de news: Xns959FDCAF9BE49BkMch6d@207.115.63.158...

Reply to
Yves

Yves opined in news:T1yld.4999137$ snipped-for-privacy@news.easynews.com:

Yes it could

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

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