ZX3 dont start right away - Focaljet

**k_angove8** · 06-04-2001, 04:18 PM

they car is brand new has only like 1000 mi on it but every once in a while it wont start righ away. if i hold it and let it crank it will start up but its just taking a lot longer then it should, even if the car is warm it will do this. and now today the check engine light is on. has anyone else had this problem??? i just put in a subwoofer and amp this weekend but it has been doin since before i got the system but now after the check engine light is coming on. any suggestions??? im gonna take it in to the dealer

**k_angove8** · 06-04-2001, 04:20 PM

and when if u stick your head out the window when u turn the car off u can hear this loud click.

**ZX3 Rally** · 06-04-2001, 11:24 PM

I don't have any suggestions but there are a few people here (including me) who have that "rough startup" as well. The engine just cranks, for like an extra 2-3 seconds. Happens to me about once a month I'd say. Has anyone found out what causes it?

**icemanZX3** · 06-04-2001, 11:58 PM

I have had this happen a few times too..

Could be that the fuel isnt lighting off the cat quicker... thats the reason that the cat is so friggin close is for quicker cold-start emmissions.

just a guess

**esseff** · 06-05-2001, 02:10 AM

Have any of you with this problem checked the fuel pressure? In some other cars it is a chronic problem.

**01sportwagon** · 06-05-2001, 04:04 PM

I just started to notice this myself. My Wagon has around 1,100 miles also.

**sandmann41** · 06-05-2001, 04:09 PM

it happens to me every once in awhile too, I have just learned to ignore it.

**k_angove8** · 06-05-2001, 04:38 PM

hey sportwagon is your check engine light on???????? mine is on but it isnt blinkin just steady.

**mysterfxit** · 06-05-2001, 10:25 PM

It happened to me a few times when the car was new, but I haven't had it happen lately. I've got 15k miles now.

**quaverous** · 06-05-2001, 11:38 PM

it has happened to me as well, i just got a new fuel pump put in my car. hopefully that'll fix the problem.

**RiTzBiTz** · 06-06-2001, 11:46 AM

same issue here happens at odd times
either when cold or warmed up
about once a month. quite odd .....

------------------
Go for the eyes BOO
Go for the eyes!

**JonBoy470** · 06-06-2001, 01:42 PM

Once in a great while this happens to me. Takes like twice as long to start the car. Another weird Ford idiosyncracy.

------------------
-Jon
2k ZX3, Infra-red, auto, air, cruise, tilt, pw/pl/pm, abs, var. int. wiper conversion, Sylvania XV headlights
IM: JonBoy470

**gestalt** · 06-07-2001, 02:10 AM

This has happened to me a couple times too when the car was warm. My previous car did it too for the first few thousand miles (when cold) and then started just fine everytime after that. Maybe it has something to do with engine break-in. Who knows...

**nilo** · 06-08-2001, 12:19 AM

Mine does once every 2 months I would say.. This is no big deal at all for me as long as it starts.. (Have you ever tried to start an ethanol engine in cold weather?)

------------------
NiLo
2000 Infra-red ZX3
5-Speed, ABS
Mods: K&N drop in Filter, BMW Exhaust Tip
Future Mod: H&R cup kit

**madmax1** · 06-09-2001, 06:35 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by nilo:
Mine does once every 2 months I would say.. This is no big deal at all for me as long as it starts.. (Have you ever tried to start an ethanol engine in cold weather?)

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've had the exact same problem, long crank times. It happens mostly when the car is warm though. I don't think it has to do with the cat, the computer ignores the 02 sensors until they warm up, even though they are heated. Has any one heard about a TSB from Ford?

**madmax1** · 06-13-2001, 12:51 AM

I spoke with a powertrain engineer from GM recently, he said that some of thier vans (montana, venture, etc..) have a similiar problem. They haven't quite found the problem but he said that they think it might have to do with alcohal in the gasoline (cheap gas). He said some area's of the country are worse than others, due to different gasoline blends. Not an exact answer but it might offer a little insight.

**Joyrope** · 03-31-2002, 11:55 AM

Has there been any kind of update on this problem?

**MichaelXi** · 04-01-2002, 12:28 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by JonBoy470:
Once in a great while this happens to me. Takes like twice as long to start the car. Another weird Ford idiosyncracy.

<hr></blockquote>

Ditto here...
Any word on any TSB's?
[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

**vw_tech** · 04-01-2002, 07:46 AM

GM's have a similar complaint with some of their vehicles. The fuel pump fixes it most of the time. It takes too long for them to build up sufficient fuel pressure. They need roughly 30 psi to get going. Also a good guess would be a fuel pressure regulator that is faulty, letting fuel that's in the injector rail go past the diaphram and into the intake. This causes 2 problems - it reduces the residual pressure in the fuel rail and dumps raw fuel into the intake.

**five0stangman** · 04-01-2002, 02:36 PM

This happens to me occasionally, not more than once or twice a month. Just another weird Ford idiosyncracy.

**noresull** · 04-01-2002, 05:17 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by vw_tech:
Also a good guess would be a fuel pressure regulator that is faulty, letting fuel that's in the injector rail go past the diaphram and into the intake. This causes 2 problems - it reduces the residual pressure in the fuel rail and dumps raw fuel into the intake.<hr></blockquote>

this is a good guess, for a car with a fuel pressure regulator. However the Focus uses a returnless fuel system and those sytems do not use a pressure regulator. The PCM regulates the pressure by cycling the fuel pump off and on as needed.

**boss429** · 04-01-2002, 08:07 PM

I too have this starting problem. It started out happening about once a month like you guys, but now it seems to happen more frequently, like once a week. I have almost 18,000 miles on her and it happens at weird times, mostly when warmed up, and I noticed recently that my 2001 ZX3 doesn't have the get up and go it used to have. No engine mods except for a drop in K&N filter, resonator removed, and four Autolite Platinum Plus spark plugs. I also have had my fuel pump relaced when the dealership replaced the fuel sending unit because of faulty readings on my fuel gauge at around 13,000 miles. What's up with this?

**Joyrope** · 04-01-2002, 10:26 PM

It's just like everyone in this post says, only happens a few times but it always seems to happen when someone other than me is starting the car. It's really embarassing. I'm looking into getting a cd manual that will hopefully have a tsb on this problem. By the way my car is an auto, do you stick guys have this problem?

**Joyrope** · 04-30-2002, 09:46 PM

Hey guys, I have an update on this problem. I took my car to the dealer for the cel light and happened to mention my starting problem, after they hooked it up to their scanner, a code for a bad battery came up. They replaced the battery and I've had no problems starting since.

**[\]iteshift** · 04-30-2002, 09:57 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by ZX3 Rally:
I don't have any suggestions but there are a few people here (including me) who have that "rough startup" as well. The engine just cranks, for like an extra 2-3 seconds. Happens to me about once a month I'd say. Has anyone found out what causes it? <hr></blockquote>

Dude, exactly. i thought I was going crazy. I mean seriously can you imagine the look on the service reps face when we tell'em this.

06-04-2001, 04:18 PM	#1
k_angove8 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Monroe, MI, USA Posts: 226	ZX3 dont start right away they car is brand new has only like 1000 mi on it but every once in a while it wont start righ away. if i hold it and let it crank it will start up but its just taking a lot longer then it should, even if the car is warm it will do this. and now today the check engine light is on. has anyone else had this problem??? i just put in a subwoofer and amp this weekend but it has been doin since before i got the system but now after the check engine light is coming on. any suggestions??? im gonna take it in to the dealer

06-04-2001, 04:20 PM	#2
k_angove8 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Monroe, MI, USA Posts: 226	Re: ZX3 dont start right away and when if u stick your head out the window when u turn the car off u can hear this loud click.

06-04-2001, 11:24 PM	#3
ZX3 Rally Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bristol NY- FingerLakes Region Posts: 2,973	Re: ZX3 dont start right away I don't have any suggestions but there are a few people here (including me) who have that "rough startup" as well. The engine just cranks, for like an extra 2-3 seconds. Happens to me about once a month I'd say. Has anyone found out what causes it?

06-04-2001, 11:58 PM	#4
icemanZX3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Cincinnati,Ohio Posts: 12,567	Re: ZX3 dont start right away I have had this happen a few times too.. Could be that the fuel isnt lighting off the cat quicker... thats the reason that the cat is so friggin close is for quicker cold-start emmissions. just a guess

06-05-2001, 02:10 AM	#5
esseff TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northwestern, NJ, USA Posts: 569	Re: ZX3 dont start right away Have any of you with this problem checked the fuel pressure? In some other cars it is a chronic problem.

06-05-2001, 04:04 PM	#6
01sportwagon TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Thousand Oaks CA USA Posts: 740	Re: ZX3 dont start right away I just started to notice this myself. My Wagon has around 1,100 miles also.

06-05-2001, 04:09 PM	#7
sandmann41 Administrator Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Frederick, Md Posts: 20,066	Re: ZX3 dont start right away it happens to me every once in awhile too, I have just learned to ignore it.

06-05-2001, 04:38 PM	#8
k_angove8 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Monroe, MI, USA Posts: 226	Re: ZX3 dont start right away hey sportwagon is your check engine light on???????? mine is on but it isnt blinkin just steady.

06-05-2001, 10:25 PM	#9
mysterfxit TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Posts: 854	Re: ZX3 dont start right away It happened to me a few times when the car was new, but I haven't had it happen lately. I've got 15k miles now.

06-05-2001, 11:38 PM	#10
quaverous Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: (Shawn) Brooklyn Park, MN Posts: 1,127	Re: ZX3 dont start right away it has happened to me as well, i just got a new fuel pump put in my car. hopefully that'll fix the problem.

06-06-2001, 11:46 AM	#11
RiTzBiTz Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Where Gravity isn\'t just a law, it\'s a good idea Posts: 2,473	Re: ZX3 dont start right away same issue here happens at odd times either when cold or warmed up about once a month. quite odd ..... ------------------ Go for the eyes BOO Go for the eyes!

06-06-2001, 01:42 PM	#12
JonBoy470 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Manchester, NH, USA Posts: 846	Re: ZX3 dont start right away Once in a great while this happens to me. Takes like twice as long to start the car. Another weird Ford idiosyncracy. ------------------ -Jon 2k ZX3, Infra-red, auto, air, cruise, tilt, pw/pl/pm, abs, var. int. wiper conversion, Sylvania XV headlights IM: JonBoy470

06-07-2001, 02:10 AM	#13
gestalt Rookie Join Date: May 2001 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 10	Re: ZX3 dont start right away This has happened to me a couple times too when the car was warm. My previous car did it too for the first few thousand miles (when cold) and then started just fine everytime after that. Maybe it has something to do with engine break-in. Who knows...

06-08-2001, 12:19 AM	#14
nilo TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Troylet , NY, US Posts: 804	Re: ZX3 dont start right away Mine does once every 2 months I would say.. This is no big deal at all for me as long as it starts.. (Have you ever tried to start an ethanol engine in cold weather?) ------------------ NiLo 2000 Infra-red ZX3 5-Speed, ABS Mods: K&N drop in Filter, BMW Exhaust Tip Future Mod: H&R cup kit

06-09-2001, 06:35 PM	#15
madmax1 TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Wadsvegas Posts: 911	Re: ZX3 dont start right away <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by nilo: Mine does once every 2 months I would say.. This is no big deal at all for me as long as it starts.. (Have you ever tried to start an ethanol engine in cold weather?) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I've had the exact same problem, long crank times. It happens mostly when the car is warm though. I don't think it has to do with the cat, the computer ignores the 02 sensors until they warm up, even though they are heated. Has any one heard about a TSB from Ford?

06-13-2001, 12:51 AM	#16
madmax1 TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Wadsvegas Posts: 911	Re: ZX3 dont start right away I spoke with a powertrain engineer from GM recently, he said that some of thier vans (montana, venture, etc..) have a similiar problem. They haven't quite found the problem but he said that they think it might have to do with alcohal in the gasoline (cheap gas). He said some area's of the country are worse than others, due to different gasoline blends. Not an exact answer but it might offer a little insight.

03-31-2002, 11:55 AM	#17
Joyrope TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New York, NY, US Posts: 117	Re: ZX3 dont start right away Has there been any kind of update on this problem?

04-01-2002, 12:28 AM	#18
MichaelXi [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Venus Via Knoxville, TN Posts: 24,263	Re: ZX3 dont start right away <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by JonBoy470: Once in a great while this happens to me. Takes like twice as long to start the car. Another weird Ford idiosyncracy. <hr></blockquote> Ditto here... Any word on any TSB's? [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

04-01-2002, 07:46 AM	#19
vw_tech Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 79	Re: ZX3 dont start right away GM's have a similar complaint with some of their vehicles. The fuel pump fixes it most of the time. It takes too long for them to build up sufficient fuel pressure. They need roughly 30 psi to get going. Also a good guess would be a fuel pressure regulator that is faulty, letting fuel that's in the injector rail go past the diaphram and into the intake. This causes 2 problems - it reduces the residual pressure in the fuel rail and dumps raw fuel into the intake.

04-01-2002, 02:36 PM	#20
five0stangman TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Charlotte Posts: 117	Re: ZX3 dont start right away This happens to me occasionally, not more than once or twice a month. Just another weird Ford idiosyncracy.

04-01-2002, 05:17 PM	#21
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: ZX3 dont start right away <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by vw_tech: Also a good guess would be a fuel pressure regulator that is faulty, letting fuel that's in the injector rail go past the diaphram and into the intake. This causes 2 problems - it reduces the residual pressure in the fuel rail and dumps raw fuel into the intake.<hr></blockquote> this is a good guess, for a car with a fuel pressure regulator. However the Focus uses a returnless fuel system and those sytems do not use a pressure regulator. The PCM regulates the pressure by cycling the fuel pump off and on as needed.

04-01-2002, 08:07 PM	#22
boss429 TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Owings Mills, MD Posts: 122	Re: ZX3 dont start right away I too have this starting problem. It started out happening about once a month like you guys, but now it seems to happen more frequently, like once a week. I have almost 18,000 miles on her and it happens at weird times, mostly when warmed up, and I noticed recently that my 2001 ZX3 doesn't have the get up and go it used to have. No engine mods except for a drop in K&N filter, resonator removed, and four Autolite Platinum Plus spark plugs. I also have had my fuel pump relaced when the dealership replaced the fuel sending unit because of faulty readings on my fuel gauge at around 13,000 miles. What's up with this?

04-01-2002, 10:26 PM	#23
Joyrope TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New York, NY, US Posts: 117	Re: ZX3 dont start right away It's just like everyone in this post says, only happens a few times but it always seems to happen when someone other than me is starting the car. It's really embarassing. I'm looking into getting a cd manual that will hopefully have a tsb on this problem. By the way my car is an auto, do you stick guys have this problem?

04-30-2002, 09:46 PM	#24
Joyrope TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New York, NY, US Posts: 117	Re: ZX3 dont start right away Hey guys, I have an update on this problem. I took my car to the dealer for the cel light and happened to mention my starting problem, after they hooked it up to their scanner, a code for a bad battery came up. They replaced the battery and I've had no problems starting since.

04-30-2002, 09:57 PM	#25
[\]iteshift Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Akron, Oh Posts: 1,477	Re: ZX3 dont start right away <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ZX3 Rally: I don't have any suggestions but there are a few people here (including me) who have that "rough startup" as well. The engine just cranks, for like an extra 2-3 seconds. Happens to me about once a month I'd say. Has anyone found out what causes it? <hr></blockquote> Dude, exactly. i thought I was going crazy. I mean seriously can you imagine the look on the service reps face when we tell'em this.
$[\]iteshift is offline$

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