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2001 Ford Mustang Hard Start When Cold

Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD MUSTANG
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • RWD
  • MANUAL
  • 96,000 MILES
Hello,
I'm having a hard start issue when I the car is cold. The car runs perfect. Once its running. Ive cleaned the MAF & throttle body, replaced the IAC, changed the plugs and the COPs and the fuel filter. It cranks just fine, but it takes sometimes forever for it to finally catch, once it catches it fires right up no problem. After work in going to check the battery and the fuel pressure, any other ideas?
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 AT 7:40 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
I feel it is the fuel pressure. Make sure to check it when it is cold or when the problem wound normally occur.
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
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But wouldn't the fuel pressure loss be problematic/ noticeable while driving and not just starting? Or do you think its having trouble charging the lines after sitting?
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
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It could be a couple things. I have seen fuel pumps that I call "lazy pumps" that don't quite produce enough pressure at a cold start up. On the other hand, I have seen systems totally lose pressure and require a few cranks to rebuild pressure and start. Try this. When starting the car cold, turn the key to the run position for 3 seconds, back to off, back to run 3 seconds, back off, and on for 3 seconds and then try to start it. See if it starts easier when doing this.
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
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Alright. So I tested the pressure this morning, and when I initially turned the key to the on position, the needle didn't move, nor did the second time or the third time, as you said to prime the system three times, and then I tried starting it and after a couple cranks, it fired, it didn't take long. However after it was running it was stead at about 30-31 psi. So would this be a lazy/ failing fuel pump or would this be a failing pump driver module?
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014 AT 6:04 AM
Tiny
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That would be my first guess.
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
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Which one? And if I were to replace the fuel pump, should I replace the entire assembly? Or could I get away with just replacing the pump?
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
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It will come as a unit. I'm not sure what you mean by only the pump.
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014 AT 8:35 AM
Tiny
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Well, i've found that there are sending units with the pump or you can just buy the pump without the sending unit, and just replace the pump itself. But I guess my question is, should I spend the extra money and get a whole new setup?
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014 AT 8:43 AM
Tiny
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How much more it is? Chances are your sending unit is fine, but if it isn't much more money, I would do both.
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014 AT 8:51 AM
Tiny
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Its about $150-200 difference.
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
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That is a big difference. I just checked a nationally recognized parts store for prices and they are around 260 for the complete unit. It's really up to you. To replace the pump will take a little more time because you have to disassemble the old unit and then install the new pump.
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
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260 is a good price, I was quoted 330, but, the pump isn't dead yet, I just have to prime the system every time I start the car if it's been sitting for 2 or more hours, I hope is the pump.
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
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Since it only happens when the engine is cold, that tells me the pressure is dropping off slow enough that it doesn't cause a problem when it's warm. Unless you have a leak somewhere in the system, the pump is most likely the cause.
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Friday, November 7th, 2014 AT 6:11 AM
Tiny
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Thank you for all your help, when I get the pump done ill confirm or deny the problem being fixed.
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Friday, November 7th, 2014 AT 6:15 AM
Tiny
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I'll look for your reply. Do me a favor. If you haven't already checked for fuel pressure drop off, do it. That way we will know if that is a concern too. If you need directions, go to the Repair and Service section on our home page. Go to Videos, page down to Fuel Systems, and watch the video for checking fuel pump pressure and regulator.
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Friday, November 7th, 2014 AT 6:21 AM
Tiny
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Its been a few days since your response, I did however check for drop off after the car was shut off and it didn't drop at all and I kept it on there for 5 minutes. I have been noticing however that if I can hear the pump kick, it will start no problem. This is in some cases obvious but my pump is so quiet you really have to listen to hear it, but the times that I cant hear it I have to charge the system for it to start. Would this still be a lazy pump? Or maybe a connection issue?
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Monday, November 10th, 2014 AT 5:38 AM
Tiny
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That sounds more like power isn't getting to the pump. I can't remember, but did you checked the fuel pump relay? Also, and this just popped into my mind, have you checked the EEC?
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Monday, November 10th, 2014 AT 1:42 PM

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