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Car will not start periodically and will be sluggish on acceleration after prolonged highway driving.

Tiny
CIGAR JON
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD PROBE
  • 210,000 MILES
Over the past 10 months, I have replaced the following parts (based upon the check engine codes and advice of my Ford tech):
Crank sensor (Car wouldn't start)
IAC and related solenoids (Car wouldn't start & bad acceleration)

EGR and related solenoids (Car wouldn't start & bad acceleration)
Purge Control solenoid

Fuel Pump (Note that the car was idle for about 3 years while I was overseas + Gas Tank Cleaned)(This was down initially after my return to the States)

After each visit, the car started and drove well for a while. This last time for about a month. My last drive (yesterday) included 60-mile parkway way trip and I noticed again, sluggish acceleration out of the toll booths. The car wouldn;t start today but did crank.

No check engine lights over the last month.

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Monday, November 7th, 2011 AT 8:21 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Are you getting spark and fuel to the engine?
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Monday, November 7th, 2011 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
CIGAR JON
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Fuel cutoff switch has not been tripped (in fact replaced that about five months ago) Not sure about checking for spark. Tech had found some oil on the crank sensor, which he said was from some slight leaking from engine. He cleaned that, but was reluctant to say it could be a problem in the future. I need another person to crank the engine while I check for a spark. I've seen it done before but a refresher wouldn't hurt. Thought I smelled fuel after cranking but a stiff wind blows in Florida today.
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Monday, November 7th, 2011 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
If you smell fuel, most likely it isn't getting spark. If you go to our homepage under the DIY section, there are detailed instructions for checking spark. Let me know what you find. NOTE: The crank sensor could be the entire problem.
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Monday, November 7th, 2011 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
CIGAR JON
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Have spark to the engine and have fuel to the engine. However, I think the problem might be fuel related. The fuel pump was replaced last November, when I had the gas tank cleaned. The car either starts immediately, after 3 or 4 prolonged cranks, or not at all. I'm wondering if this isn't a fuel pressure problem, possibly being connected to when the pump is cold. The car sat in the sun this morning and after conducting the tests, I attempted to start it. Car started right up. Still have the acceleration problem after prolonged driving.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
It does sound like a fuel related problem. Was the pressure within spec?
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 3:50 PM
Tiny
CIGAR JON
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Will be installing a new Mass Air Flow Sensor, and a Fuel Regulator Solenoid and Crank Sensor #2. All parts are Mazda. I Understand the 1995 Probe GT is basically identical to the 1995 Mazda 626 under the hood (Both were made at the Mazda Toronto plant). Ford no longer inventories these parts nor the others previously mentioned in this thread. I'll let you know the outcome. Thanks for your expertise and a very educational website.
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Any word on this Jon?
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Saturday, December 31st, 2011 AT 4:13 AM
Tiny
CIGAR JON
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Been 4 months since I had the above parts installed. Car has been starting fine but still has periods of sluggishness after prolonged interstate driving (Though not as much as before and only on quick acceleration). My tech recommended adding "SeaFoam" to a few fill-ups to clear any problems with the injectors. Have added three.
The car's gas mileage (City/Mostly Highway) has improved to 31 mpg from about 25mpg.
Thanks again for all your advise!
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Thursday, March 8th, 2012 AT 2:08 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
My pleasure. Check the fuel pressure after prolonged freeway driving. See if it drops. Check it right after startup, then drive for awhile and check it again.
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Saturday, March 10th, 2012 AT 7:03 PM

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