Questions and Answers

Ford Taurus Hard Start, No Start Q. Hello, I have a 1995 Ford Taurus V-6 3.8 liter, and I can't seem to figure out what's going on. I am thinking maybe something with the Fuel system. Here is what is going on. When it sits over night and gets cold it wont start it just keeps on cranking over and over. When it gets warmer outside there is a better chance of it starting and IF I can get it started it has surges when I am driving.

When I put it into gear, mostly reverse, it dies or wants to die. It has sputtering when it is just idle. Yesterday I put fresh gas in and a fuel injection cleaner and a full charged battery and it started right up and at first I had some problems with it dying and sputtering but after a while it ran like nothing was ever wrong with it, and this morning it wont start.

If you can give me any ideas on what it might be or any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Samantha

A. Not knowing the milage, but based on the age, it sounds like you may have a problem with the fuel pump. You need to do a fuel pressure and fuel volume test in order to determine that for sure.

I would recommend replacing the fuel filter first. At the very least it will eliminate the possibility of a clogged fuel filter and at the most, completely solve the problem.

Another thing to check would be the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor. If the ECT is telling the PCM the engine is hotter than it is, the PCM will lean out the full mixture, possibly to the point where the vehicle won't start.

The fact that it does start and run, albeit runs badly, indicates to me the ignition system is working properly.