4.6 V8 Cold Start Issues

[pauly_gxp]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone is familiar with the Ford 4.6.  I have a 1996 Cougar that has been giving me trouble as of late.  When cold starting in the morning the car will start, rev up, and then die.  It will start up again the second time and idle rough.  After it warms up though, it runs fine.  I don't know what it is but I do know what it isn't.  I put in a new fuel pump (old one made terrible noises), fuel filter, spark plugs, wires, IAC, air filter, PCV valve, and now I'm out of ideas.  I've always had my questions answered here so thought I would give it a shot!  Any ideas???

[boostedbull]

Only other thing I can think of is the throttle position sensor and or mass air meter sensor(dirty)

[SHOnUup]

Any smells with the stall?

Can you keep it running with slight throttle at start up?



Rich

[ZSHO]

For a few bucks and sold in any auto store,did you ever try changing the starter solenoid,usually located close to the battery and simple to change.

[pauly_gxp]

Only other thing I can think of is the throttle position sensor and or mass air meter sensor(dirty)

Good call, I'll try the TPS.

Any smells with the stall?

Can you keep it running with slight throttle at start up?



Rich

It does seem like I smell to much fuel coming out the exhaust.  Yes, sometimes with throttle you can keep it running.  Then it gets to much fuel and backfires.  It will start right up the second time without dying. Then idles rough for a bit.

For a few bucks and sold in any auto store,did you ever try changing the starter solenoid,usually located close to the battery and simple to change.

Not relavent to the problem.

[ZSHO]

Only other thing I can think of is the throttle position sensor and or mass air meter sensor(dirty)

Good call, I'll try the TPS.

Any smells with the stall?

Can you keep it running with slight throttle at start up?



Rich

It does seem like I smell to much fuel coming out the exhaust.  Yes, sometimes with throttle you can keep it running.  Then it gets to much fuel and backfires.  It will start right up the second time without dying. Then idles rough for a bit.

For a few bucks and sold in any auto store,did you ever try changing the starter solenoid,usually located close to the battery and simple to change.

Not relavent to the problem.

What about thr Egr valve?

[SHOnUup]

There is a TSB on the MAF sensor on these. Could be malfunctioning and not giving you enough air.

Rich

[SHOdded]

How high does it go when first started?  Stays on after second start?  Pull codes?  Triton engine right, no problem with the spark plugs?  With the SHOs of the era, even replacing the IAC would not be a sure cure.  The new IAC could stick.

MAF related article:
http://www.berrysweb.com/clean_your_maf.htm

[SHOnUup]

Maybe the new found fuel pressure has played havoc on an injector. Think you'd get a code for these though.

Rich

[ZSHO]

I had a 96 Explorer and used the whole can of maf cleaner,on the IAT,MAF,EGR,TPS,some of the senors overtime get dirty with buildup and dont function properly or stay closed causing your isses

[glock-coma]

I was thinking IAC just like SHOdded.
You can remove and inspect/ clean pretty easily. 

[pauly_gxp]

 What about thr Egr valve?
[/quote]

EGR seems to be fine.

There is a TSB on the MAF sensor on these. Could be malfunctioning and not giving you enough air.

Rich

Another possibility.  I did clean it with MAF cleaner.  If I unplug the MAF and it still does the same thing, in theory I have found the problem correct?

How high does it go when first started?  Stays on after second start?  Pull codes?  Triton engine right, no problem with the spark plugs?  With the SHOs of the era, even replacing the IAC would not be a sure cure.  The new IAC could stick.

It revs to 1300-1500 or so and then quickly goes down to just a couple hundred and dies.  The IAC seems to work fine as I let it function with it off and it was working.  It's actually a Windsor, too old to be a Triton.  Before the spark plugs were such an issue.

Maybe the new found fuel pressure has played havoc on an injector. Think you'd get a code for these though.

Rich

It just threw a code!  But I lent my damn scan tool out, so to town I go. 


THANKS EVERYONE!  This is why I ask here.  Best forum for help, even with the small group that is here!

[SHOnUup]

Good luck!

Rich

[SHOdded]

codes list for the EEC V:
http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/eec-vobd2/