Too many cranks to start

[jeedee]

Until this week (hot), my 2002 XLT, 3.0, automatic, positraction would fire up immediately. Now it cranks longer before starting. Where's the first place to look? (The alternator is charging about 0.2 volts under specs.)
Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Try turning the key to run several times without starting the truck. This is to turn on the fuel pump and pressurize the system to see if you have a leak in the fuel system. Then try to start. If it starts right up then check fuel.system for leaks. It can be an internal leak as well.

 

[fixizin]

BATTERY. Heat. Just replaced my battery (HOT So-Fla) and it turns over noticeably quicker. There's a minimum piston/crank velocity you need to fire up, and the more peak amps you can feed that starter motor, the quicker it can overcome 6 cylinders worth of compression.

How OLD is your battery? What does the voltage across the terminals read when it's been sitting awhile, engine off?

PS: as a further check, trying pausing for a slow 2-count between Key-On and Key-Start to let the fuel pump pressurize the injectors... if you've got good ears and are in a quiet place, you can hear the fuel pump crank/buzz for a couple seconds then go quiet...

 

[fixizin]

Plus check the obvious battery issues--fluid level by eyeball, acid concentration with one of those "turkey baster" bulb testers.

 

[jeedee]

Nice to have a forum like this and tap the brains of a lot of smart folks. Thanx very much all, for the suggestions.
(PS, Battery is close to 13 V across the terminals when off....cranking starter draw is also in range when starting.)

 

[Caprock Rider]

Recently ran into the same problem. First thought it was my crank position sensor because the tach pointer didn't move during cranking. Swapped crank sensor with one of my other Rangers. No change.
Then checked fuel pressure. My problem was a leaking check valve. Even though the fuel pump was working as it should, the check valve was leaking the pressure off when the engine was off.
New fuel pump solved the problem.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Recently ran into the same problem. First thought it was my crank position sensor because the tach pointer didn't move during cranking. Swapped crank sensor with one of my other Rangers. No change.
Then checked fuel pressure. My problem was a leaking check valve. Even though the fuel pump was working as it should, the check valve was leaking the pressure off when the engine was off.
New fuel pump solved the problem.

^^^ This.
That is what the procedure I posted previously is used to check for.

 

[Caprock Rider]

Read your reply alwaysFloored and figured your "internal leak" was referring to the check valve.
None the less, thought I'd chime in with my experience to let jeedee know that problem wasn't uncommon.
Sorry, didn't mean to step on your toes.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

No toes were stepped on. You put it better terms than I did and just wanted to highlight that fact.

 

[fixizin]

Love this place!... egos to the side, brains and experience to the fore, shyt gets solved!

 

[dvdswan]

 

[jeedee]

Recently ran into the same problem. First thought it was my crank position sensor because the tach pointer didn't move during cranking. Swapped crank sensor with one of my other Rangers. No change.
Then checked fuel pressure. My problem was a leaking check valve. Even though the fuel pump was working as it should, the check valve was leaking the pressure off when the engine was off.
New fuel pump solved the problem.

Thanx for the info...will keep it in mind if/when necessary.

 

[jeedee]

Love this place!... egos to the side, brains and experience to the fore, shyt gets solved!

Thanx all for the info....appreciated.

 

[Bgunner]

If you find that it starts right up after turning the key to the run position a few times first you can put a fuel pressure Guage on the fuel rail on the engine to watch for bleed off of pressure. This is the technical way to see if the check valve went bad in the pump.

The bleed off will usually happen within ten minutes of the engine being shut off. Harbor Freight has a nice cheap gauge that will work great. But only go this route if it starts right up after the key to run position a few time first.

 

[youngbuckwithapickuptruck]

bumping an old thread, but i had this same issue and it was due to a bad connection on a poorly replaced positive battery ternminal connector