any car mechanics on board ?

[bases]

have a 2002 escape xls 6 cylinder automatic
approx 140,000 kms
always starts when you turn the key
but today it took approx 10 times before it catched and when i shut it off and started the car,,worked fine

what could of happened
was thinking maybe add carb cleaner or read add fuel additive stp
thoughts anyone
thanks

 

[THE KOD]

hmmmm

starter could be going out.

bad terminal on battery

dirty distributor

hmmmmm

maybe you can just chalk it up to it having a bad day

 

[RAYMOND]

maybe you can just chalk it up to it having a bad day:142smilie

 

[luvmy$$$]

What do you mean by "it took 10 times before it catched"? Do you mean you fiscally turned the key 10 times before the motor actually turned over? If so, what noise was the vehicle making when you turned the key each time?
I can diagnose a problem over the net but you have to be anally specific. So far from what you have wrote it could be battery, starter, bendix, solenoid, dead spot on flywheel, ignition tumbler assembly, wiring, loose wiring, bad connection, and yes even mice can be the culperate. (I've seen it, so I have to believe it, lol.)

 

[bases]

response

response

wasnt the starter noise where you hear the clicking

turning over but not catching...

its fuel injection...3.litre engine

waited a bit before each time i turned the key so dont flood the engine..hope this helps

 

[luvmy$$$]

Lets try this again. When you turn the key, did the motor turn over slowly but not actually start? or did you here a loud and pronounced click click click rapidly? or did you here 1 click and a long whiring noise that wound down?

 

[THE KOD]

Lets try this again. When you turn the key, did the motor turn over slowly but not actually start? or did you here a loud and pronounced click click click rapidly? or did you here 1 click and a long whiring noise that wound down?

.......................................................................


I love these kinds where the sounds come in .

does it go whankity whankity , whirr whiirr.
or tickity tickity .

We will get to the bottom of any mechanical car problems.

 

[bases]

motor turning over quicly but not catching

motor turning over quicly but not catching

motor turning over quickly but not cathing to start

 

[BADTODABONE]

muffler bearings....yup...that's the problem

 

[mjalam]

motor turning over quickly but not cathing to start

well in order to start a car you need spark/fuel. So, either you aren't getting the spark: starter, plugs, distributor or you aren't getting the fuel -> fuel pump, etc.

 

[Old School]

you can elimanate the question of "starter" by simpley pulling it and stopping by AutoZone or Advance Auto for a starter test..


the wording of your post indicate starter gone bad and it "catches" randomly..

call ahead to the auto parts store and make sure they stock the replacement..

6cycl. Ford starter replacement...

in and out 30 min.'s tops.

easy to do yourself..

 

[Old School]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/FAQ/1050

 

[Griffin8s]

Could also be fuel pump. Not sure on the Ford but most cars have a check valve that when you shut the car off it closes to keep fuel pressure in the line for the next time you start. If it stayed open a little bit and drained all the fuel back into the tank over night then it maybe hard to start after long periods of sitting but be fine after short periods. Could be just a one time thing if just a little piece of debris got in there then flushed out after starting. Not saying its your problem but I would wait and see what it does after sitting over night again before I alert the media.:shrug:

 

[bases]

thanks for the responses

thanks for the responses

would say this happens twice a year where for some reason it takes 5-10 times turning the key before it starts

weird

today just added the stp additive for fuel and carb

 

[THE KOD]

would say this happens twice a year where for some reason it takes 5-10 times turning the key before it starts

weird

today just added the stp additive for fuel and carb

........................................................

twice a year

listen come back when you have a real problem

Geez Louise

we aint charging for this ya know