Sometimes car hard to start

**MyBlackBeasts** · 09-12-2017, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by 88LTDCV351

Well, I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I'm not that good at these things. And maybe I don't understand how to heat shrink this wire properly. The wire is quite thick so not sure I have something to cut a wire that thick after measuring it other than my regular wire cutter which is for normal size wires and too small. I suppose I could find youtube videos on how to crimp properly and how to heat shrink. I guess I could try that.

With a little effort you can probably cut it with a good pair of lineman's pliers, if not borrow or buy a cheap cable cutter: https://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-...ers-61422.html

Heat shrink is easy. Slide HS tubing on wire (make sure you do this before crimping if the tubing will not fit over the ends after crimping is complete) and center over what you want covered, heat it up with cigarette lighter or heat gun. be careful to move flame around as to not overheat/burn the material.

Done

**Shornaday** · 09-12-2017, 08:20 PM

I have been using the old screwdriver test for many years. However, after reading thru this thread and watching the YouTube video this came to mind. It would have been nice for the person in the video to put the microphone up to the screwdriver so those that do not know could hear the different sounds.

That's when I stumbled onto this video showing a shop hack that improves on the screwdriver test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHtLH_m9gN4

The only trouble that I see is: if the person has a long screwdriver they may also have a stethoscope.

Anyway, thought it was a pretty good shop hack along with maybe being a little safer for your head when the screwdriver slips into a pulley.

**justbob** · 09-13-2017, 03:52 AM

Originally Posted by Shornaday

I have been using the old screwdriver test for many years. However, after reading thru this thread and watching the YouTube video this came to mind. It would have been nice for the person in the video to put the microphone up to the screwdriver so those that do not know could hear the different sounds.

That's when I stumbled onto this video showing a shop hack that improves on the screwdriver test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHtLH_m9gN4

The only trouble that I see is: if the person has a long screwdriver they may also have a stethoscope.

Anyway, thought it was a pretty good shop hack along with maybe being a little safer for your head when the screwdriver slips into a pulley.

Must admit that is pretty damn clever! And my 36" screwdriver set would make that a breeze.

I always use my stethoscope with pointed end but even with that it can be really difficult at times.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**mm svt** · 09-13-2017, 06:51 AM

The ole jug on screw driver trick, nice.

**MyBlackBeasts** · 09-13-2017, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by justbob

Must admit that is pretty damn clever! And my 36" screwdriver set would make that a breeze.

I always use my stethoscope with pointed end but even with that it can be really difficult at times.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3' 3/8 extension works even better than screw driver.

**1Marauder** · 09-16-2017, 08:56 PM

Simplistic and yet brilliant. Was amazed to hear the bad pulley comparitive!

**88LTDCV351** · 10-09-2017, 11:22 AM

Haven't had the problem since early September as I've been busy. Car has been normal up until Friday afternoon when I went to the park for a walk and then the car wouldn't start. Exact same symptoms. Kept cleaning the battery cables and tried my new portable jumpstarter. Nothing. Clean the posts one more time for smiles and giggles and the car finally started. Got the short distance to my brother's apartment and car kept starting normally when I tried it. My brothers little volt reader thing shows battery normal and alternator normal when engine is on. It's been normal this weekend and to work today. Might be normal for another month as far as I know. But this is becoming a pain.

I did read one article saying try my other key since PATs can go flaky. Also read solenoid but easier to replace starter at the same time.

My alternator might be old and tired at 175,000 miles but I still think something else is going on.

**fastblackmerc** · 10-09-2017, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by 88LTDCV351

Haven't had the problem since early September as I've been busy. Car has been normal up until Friday afternoon when I went to the park for a walk and then the car wouldn't start. Exact same symptoms. Kept cleaning the battery cables and tried my new portable jumpstarter. Nothing. Clean the posts one more time for smiles and giggles and the car finally started. Got the short distance to my brother's apartment and car kept starting normally when I tried it. My brothers little volt reader thing shows battery normal and alternator normal when engine is on. It's been normal this weekend and to work today. Might be normal for another month as far as I know. But this is becoming a pain.

I did read one article saying try my other key since PATs can go flaky. Also read solenoid but easier to replace starter at the same time.

My alternator might be old and tired at 175,000 miles but I still think something else is going on.

Try swapping the starter relay with another like relay or a new one.

**1Marauder** · 10-10-2017, 08:41 AM

Drive to Ford Store, pay $19 and replace starter relay all together. BUY an extra and keep new and old one for an emergency spares (mark old one w sharpie).

I've had two complex issues: Starting issues, and AC issues... after much blood, sweat, and tears...and futzing around testing stuff, banging on starters, rocking car, replacing various brake stop and AC parts... BOTH ISSUES FIXED by simply replacing the RELAYS.

**fastblackmerc** · 10-10-2017, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by 1Marauder

Drive to Ford Store, pay $19 and replace starter relay all together. BUY an extra and keep new and old one for an emergency spares (mark old one w sharpie).

I've had two complex issues: Starting issues, and AC issues... after much blood, sweat, and tears...and futzing around testing stuff, banging on starters, rocking car, replacing various brake stop and AC parts... BOTH ISSUES FIXED by simply replacing the RELAYS.

Remember these cars and their electrical systems are 13 or 14 + years old. Imagine how many times the relays have opened and closed. Relays get weaker every time they are used. Last year I replaced all of mine. Wouldn't hurt to have a couple of spares in the glove box.

A good anti theft device would be to gut an old relay and replace the starter relay with the gutted one.

**Svashtar** · 10-10-2017, 12:25 PM

Is the starter relay in the under hood fuse box in front of the battery?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**88LTDCV351** · 06-23-2018, 03:54 PM

Car is starting the same not starting issues again. I replaced the starter fuse relay under the hood in the fuse box by the battery and didn't help. So it can't be the fuse relay or the battery What next? Also tried battery booster and cleaning the terminals.

**Agent2006** · 06-23-2018, 04:40 PM

Are you sure it is not the fuel pump?

**justbob** · 06-23-2018, 07:52 PM

My truck was doing this off and on and it ended up being corroded wiring inside the insulation down at the starter. The wiring was literally green dust for about 5-6”s into the insulation. I ended up getting a whole new harness up to the battery from Ford.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**justbob** · 06-23-2018, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Agent2006

Are you sure it is not the fuel pump?

What does a fuel pump have to do with not cranking???

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thread: Sometimes car hard to start

Thread Tools

Display

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Similar Threads

Marauder won't start: possible remote start/pats issue

Cold start and drove hard. Damage?

Movie Trailer - The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard!

Sometimes its really hard

New product for hard to start engines

Posting Permissions