My '02 Supercharged has 6k miles on it and for at least last 3-4K miles it has intermittent problems starting (to be precise, this happens in 1 out of 5-10 times). To be precise, it starts weak (as if fuel is not grabbing spark), that lasts from part of second up to several seconds (on average it is 2-3 seconds) and then it "grabs properly" and I can drive off.

Here is what I tried to find cause of problem:

- Suspected battery/alternator cause on few ocassions it would start in morning, but fail 30 minutes later after I drove one mile down the road and had breakfast. That theory failed for me cause that did not happen every time and on other ocassions I would drive truck very short instances (few to several hundred yards) several times in a row over very short period of time with full A/C and radio on and still it would start every single time. On other ocassions I would drive truck 30 miles and have problem starting it 15 minutes later.

- For a while tried starting it with A/C and radio off and still would have trouble.

- Tried starting it by waiting several seconds between turning key for power on and igniting and still no cigar.

- Tried to use gas from different pumps (all of them Chevron, but spread across 50 miles radius), still no luck.

- Switch gas to 76 for few tanks, that improved situation somewhat, BUT still had trouble at least once or twice.

- Tried to see does it happen on only hot days, and no, it does it when cold too.

- Took it to service and they say "no error code and we can not reproduce problem", which I have problem accepting cause it happens frequently enough to me.

Do you have or have had this or similar problem with your '02? PLEASE HELP!

Thanks in advance!

ZoranC

 

I have that, too. I thought it was the Superchip and didn't think too much about it. Only ran the truck for 300 miles w/out the chip, so can't tell you if it was there before. I've had a couple of times where it would not start at all (crank but no go), wait a few seconds, and then a weak turn-over. The embarrassing part is that it only does it in public, as do the incessantly squeeky brakes. Mine is not as frequent as yours.

 

Its under warranty, correct???

If you trust your dealers shop, USE THE WARRANTY!!! Take it in, let them diagnose it.

My $.02.

John

 

HDf150inWV,

Yes, it is under warranty. As you can see from my post I _DID_ take it into service of dealership where I bought it (they are so called "blue oval" dealership) and they came back with "Computer is not reporting back any error codes, and we can not reproduce it".

I am trying to pull our heads together cause I don't think service is trying hard enough. For example, I asked service manager last night did they check anything else beside error codes, like battery and alternator, and he answered "Ummmm, I don't know, but Ford is not paying us to go into extensive troubleshooting if computer is not reporting any error codes". That's when I told him they are not trying hard enough cause it happens frequently enough that they should be able to reproduce it and that I don't care is computer reporting back code or not cause I do have problem and that they need to fix it.

ZoranC

 

ZoranC,

I believe that I saw some threads over on the Lightning board about some issues with the fuel pumps on the Supercharged engines. Some were related to bad connections at the fuel pump, (either bad electrical connections or fuel line connections). I don't believe that either one of these issues would throw a code since the engine is only in start mode not run mode. If you have a fuel pressure gauge available that will fit on your fuel rail schrader valve, you can quickly determine if your fuel rail pressure at startup is within specification. Just some food for thought.

Good Luck!

 

Guess I missed that. Sorry!

My wife's 2001 Chrysler Sebring does that sometimes - sort-of. It starts, but instead of idling around 950 rpm it sets about 400-500 and runs rough. There's a sound, almost like rushing fluid somewhere. We got the same thing from the dealer. Sound like your problem??

 

GRY GHST,

Thanks for idea. I will take your suggestion to service and see what they say.

Thanks again!

ZoranC

 

HDf150inWV,

Thanks for idea, but mine is different. Once truck goes through ignition everything is fine afterwards. During ignition is when it has problem.

Thanks again!

ZoranC

 

Strange. You think that would give a code. Here's some thoughts...

Do these truck have a start injector (9th injector)?

Do you have a video camera? If so, record every start so you can prove it to them.

Fuel filter? Cheap & easy. You shouldn't have to change it at 6k but you could have gotten some crap gas.

Keep us posted.

John

 

Service says that so far they checked battery, alternator, fuel pressure, and fuel volume and that they don't see any problems.

ZoranC

 

TO WHOMEVER IT MIGHT CONCERN:

I was informed around 6:30pm of 09/16/02 by Armando Gonzales, Service Manager at Ford of Montebello, that their technician reproduced problem with starting of '02 HD on all HD vehicles they had in lot. Therefore their technician advised them that this is characteristic of vehicle which does not need repair and would not be covered by warranty. I was asked to come pick up vehicle which I did at 8:15pm. At time of pickup I asked Armando Gonzales to put reason for rejection in paperwork which he did only after I returned paperwork to him for 3rd time.

I will be calling Ford Customer Service to argue this and other issues that were rejected by same service/person for repair under warranty.

In the meantime please all of you with '02HDs that read this post a reply saying do you have trouble starting your vehicles or not and what is mileage on it. Thank you in advance!

ZoranC

 

Hi ZoranC,

Yes, I have experienced this intermittent problem since about 3,000 miles. I currently have 6,700+ miles logged in. It doesn't happen very often, maybe an average of 2 or 3 times a month since I got the truck last April. I drive my truck every day. But I have noticed a patten recently which I think might be fuel related. I started using gas from UNION 76 and then switched to COSTCO when I discovered their prices where typically a lot lower than UNION's. A few weeks after switching over I experienced a slow starting problem but really didn't think much of it because it it started on the 2nd crank and it didn't happen frequently enough to be concerned. But I took it in last month when I got a "check engine" light and all the dealership could find was a leaky vaccum tube and replaced it for free. By then I had switched back to UNION 76 and things were running fine until I refilled it last week on the way to work at COSTCO's and experienced the slow starting phenonmeon 2 days ago. Consequently, I am switching back to UNION 76 for awhile to see if it goes away.
By the way, which brand of gas have you been using?

 

I'm having the same problem with my '02 HD. I have brought it to ford but I always get the same response on paper, "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE." It only acts up every once in awhile, but it's very agrivating. It usually happens when i'm in a big parking lot and people are admiring the truck. You know the feeling, when your head swells because you know everyone is watching you get in to your bad A$$ Harley truck. Then you get in, hurry and put the key in the ignition so everyone can hear the exhaust note, and the damn thing won't start. Your head deflates as your b*lls inflate and well, you get the idea. I guess we have to live with it.

 

Best Source,

I was consistently using 91 octane from Chevron cause I heard Chevron is supposed to work fine. rectly I have tried switch to 91 octane from 76 and that reduced frequency a lil bit (just 2 tanks, not enough for this to be good statistical sample) but did not make problem go away.

ZoranC

 

02 Hog,

We don't have to live with it. I for one certainly will not. I did not pay for vehicle that is supposed to have intermittent problem starting (sales contract did not specify any exclusions that would allow for this). I paid for vehicle that is supposed to behave like every other "normal" vehicle should. If it is not it should be fixed. If many of them need to get fixed that is not MY problem, that is something for Ford to worry about.

ZoranC