Shuts off while driving and hard to restart

ARCHIE NARE

MEMBER
2004 FORD BANTAM
1.6L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
200,000 MILES

Recently the car has been cutting off while driving and being difficult to start, only to start after approximately five minutes but will cut off again while driving. Checked all my grounds (earth) wires, tested my fuel pump, alternator and starter all is well. Now it won't start completely and realized that whenever I turn the ignition on, the light next to the clock does not flash but remains on.
What could the problem be and is the a way of fixing it?

6 Replies

ARCHIE NARE

MEMBER
16 POSTS

After checking on the net for sometime, went with the idea of looking at the switch next to the computer box and found it down;pushed it on, now the LED light flashes normally and the car cranks though won't start.

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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 8:30 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

This vehicle isn't offered in the US, so my technical information is very limited. However, I will try to help. The light which you refer to as blinking again, is it a security light?

If not, have you checked to make sure you are getting spark and fuel to the engine at this point? I suspect one or both are missing. If you haven't, that is where you need to start. I realize you indicated that you checked the things prior to the total shut down, but we need to reconfirm.

Here are a few links you may find helpful. Additionally, I would recommend scanning the computer to see if there are codes stored.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Also, here is a quick video showing how to retrieve codes:

https://youtu.be/b2IJGfImVvw

I realize most people don't own a scanner, but this should be done to see if something is stored which can help determine the cause of the problem.

Let me know if any of this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 9:01 AM

ARCHIE NARE

MEMBER
16 POSTS

Hi!

Joe, with the battery on its compartment the fuel pump is not supplying petrol to the engine (saw this by taking the pipes off the injector rail) but when I take both pipes (inlet and return) in the injector rail out and take the battery near the tank having petrol in a bucket which I put the fuel pump in and connect the pump to the battery. It works fine even when I put them back in the rail, the engine gets petrol (with the battery back at its compartment. The car will start and idle for a minute and I think with the little petrol still in the filter and engine).
Then that light you say is security light will remain on again (I disconnect the battery to get it flashing again) also saw it quickly flashing twice before being normal.

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Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Have you checked to see if there is a fuel pump relay? I am so sorry I don't have schematics to look through. A bad fuel pump relay can prevent the pump from getting power.

Here is a link that shows how to check one:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Also, you indicated that all grounds were checked. Is there a separate fuse for the fuel pump. Many vehicles have one.

Let me know.
Joe

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Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 AT 6:21 PM

ARCHIE NARE

MEMBER
16 POSTS

Hi, had an auto-electrician today, rechecked all the fuses and relays and the security light was blinking alright and whenever we turned the ignition on, the light would stay on for some seconds(as usual) and then off, then we would crank the car but wouldn't start.
The guy then opened the computer box and tested it, said all is fine(didn't really see what connection he'd made for there's a time where he connected a wire to the battery and maybe the computer box that the pipe supplying the engine with petrol did supply petrol).
He then called it quits and said the computer box can't read the key, that I must take the key and computer box to a reputable shop to be reprogrammed.
(only because the security light stays on after turning the ignition and trying to start the car which now won't crank and remains on even after turning the ignition off.