car doesnt want to start

[88Nightmare]

When the engine is ice cold in the morning, i hop in and crank it over, it starts to fire, but as soon as i let go of the key, it just dies. It will keep doing that unless I tap the gas pedal a little bit while cranking. Then it runs beautifuly and smooth. Any time later in the day when I try to start it, it starts fine. It only does that after its been sitting over night.... Any suggestions? CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON!!!!! lol. Im lost, I dont know where to begin with this problem.

[88Nightmare]

no one knows?

[Fatstang]

Sounds like ignition problems

[quietflow]

What do you mean tap the gas pedal? Sounds like lack of fuel to me, but its strange that when you tap the gas it starts. The car needs more fuel first thing in the morning when its good and cold then anyother time during the day which would explain why its fine the rest of the day. Need more info on what you are doing to make it start.

[88Nightmare]

I hit the gas maybe 10%. Just a little tap. Almost like when starting a carburated car, when you slightly tap the pedal. Could it maybe be a clogged fuel filter or maybe signs of a dying fuel pump? The car stopped doing it. Its weird. It comes and goes. Maybe it has something to do with the clutch safety switch?

[Ghost]

I hit the gas maybe 10%. Just a little tap. Almost like when starting a carburated car, when you slightly tap the pedal. Could it maybe be a clogged fuel filter or maybe signs of a dying fuel pump? The car stopped doing it. Its weird. It comes and goes. Maybe it has something to do with the clutch safety switch?

could be a bad pump or fuel pressure regulator cause it sounds like the system is not holding pressure when the car is off for awhile(bleeding down) thats why you have to pump it real quick to get it to start

try this turn the key on but dont start it and when you hear the fuel pump kick on turn it back to off and then try that again but this time try and start it.

another way to check is getting a fuel pressure gauge that can be seen from the drivers seat so you can check the pressure when you get in and it should not be at 0 from just sitting over night

[88Nightmare]

Ill try the 2 key start method you mentioned before I go out and buy a new gauge. Im actually trying to sell the car but I want to fix it before I sell it.

[ponyride00]

Isnt there a cold exhaust temp. sensor that gives the motor more fuel when its cold. If so that could be a problem too.

[quietflow]

How about a dirty MAF sensor, check the wires to see if they are dirty. Could have a bad ECT temp sensor as well and its telling it that the temp is -10 or something like that.

[88Nightmare]

I dont think MAF is the problem. The fuel pump activates fine. Could it maybe be a clogged up Idle Air Control Valve? One of my friends who works on a lot of fords said a common problem is the ignition switch in the steering column goes bad. Is that a possibility?

[Fatstang]

I dont think MAF is the problem. The fuel pump activates fine. Could it maybe be a clogged up Idle Air Control Valve? One of my friends who works on a lot of fords said a common problem is the ignition switch in the steering column goes bad. Is that a possibility?
It wouldn't hurt to remove it and clean it out. they say to clean it around 75k miles, i believe.

[88Nightmare]

where is the Idle Air Control Valve located anyway?

[Fatstang]

where is the Idle Air Control Valve located anyway?
It would be attached right off the upper intake plenum, near the throttle body, you'll see a sensor attached to it too. just unscrew it and clean it off.

[quietflow]

The idle air control motor would make it die right after it starts or the idle would surge at stop signs, I doubt that is the problem.