2000 Ford Taurus Jerks After Start

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J2963
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  • 2 POSTS
i have a 2000 ford taurus 68,000 miles it runs fine no check engine lights or anything but my problem is when i start the car like in the morning or after work it starts fine but for the first few seconds after its started the motor kind of like jerks or tries to cut out like a misfireing plug but the jerk feels stronger than a bad sparkplug it only does this about 3 to 6 times jerks that is that you can feel . then after the first few seconds the jerking or cutting out as you might call it stops and the car runs fine after that but it only does that after starting the car after sitting a long time turned off i replaced the fuel pump about a year ago but other than that the car runs fins fine i just want to find the problem befor it gets worse this is the first fuel injected car i have ever had so im not familiar with problems of fuel injected engins could the fuel injectors cause this when they getting bad or dirty like i said after about 15 to 20 seconds after starting the car it runs fine after that any info given will be a great help thanks a lot :oops:
Aug 14, 2006 at 9:34 AM
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MIKEYBDMAN
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 623 POSTS
[quote:dee610c19e="j2963"]i have a 2000 ford taurus 68,000 miles it runs fine no check engine lights or anything but my problem is when i start the car like in the morning or after work it starts fine but for the first few seconds after its started the motor kind of like jerks or tries to cut out like a misfireing plug but the jerk feels stronger than a bad sparkplug it only does this about 3 to 6 times jerks that is that you can feel . then after the first few seconds the jerking or cutting out as you might call it stops and the car runs fine after that but it only does that after starting the car after sitting a long time turned off i replaced the fuel pump about a year ago but other than that the car runs fins fine i just want to find the problem befor it gets worse this is the first fuel injected car i have ever had so im not familiar with problems of fuel injected engins could the fuel injectors cause this when they getting bad or dirty like i said after about 15 to 20 seconds after starting the car it runs fine after that any info given will be a great help thanks a lot :oops:[/quote:dee610c19e]

I would have the fuel pressure system checked. It may be something as simple as a check valve allowing fuel to drain back to the tank and not being at the fuel rail to start the car.
Try this....Listen in your gas tank and have someone turn the ignition switch to the on position, but not start the car. You should hear the pump run for a few seconds. If it does, then turn the switch off. Turn it back on and see if it runs for a few seconds. Do this several times before attempting to start the car. Then start the car. If the problem is not there, then running the pump several times got fuel up to your rail and it wasnt starving for fuel. If by some crazy way this worked, you will need to find out why the fuel is running out of the lines. Bad check valve at the fuel pump. You might can install a check valve in the fuel delivery line and not have to open the fuel tank.
If it is not a fuel pressure or delivery problem, then I would look at the IAC and the controls for it under a cold start condition.
Aug 14, 2006 at 9:51 AM

Suggested Repair

Check fuel pressure and delivery. Prime the pump several times with the key on before starting; if the stumble disappears, suspect a fuel-pump check valve letting fuel drain back, and consider an inline check valve if the tank does not need to be opened. If fuel pressure is normal, inspect the idle air control valve and its cold-start controls.

Conversation Summary

A 2000 Ford Taurus with 68,000 miles starts normally after sitting but jerks or feels like it is cutting out several times for the first 15 to 20 seconds, then runs fine with no check-engine light. The fuel pump was replaced about a year earlier. The expert recommends checking fuel pressure and a possible check valve that lets fuel drain back from the rail, using a key-on pump prime test to see if the stumble goes away, and if fuel delivery is not the cause, inspecting the IAC and its cold-start controls.

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