Ford SMAX Intermittent Starting Problems

PEDGAR75

MEMBER
2009 FORD S-MAX
6 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
11,000 MILES

Hi there, my SMAX is 21 months old and in Feb 11 I had trouble starting it all of a sudden. Cold start but garaged overnight, it cranked 10-15 times before eventually firing and starting, this also happened when warm and at random times over the following 2 weeks.

It went into a Ford Dealer who found no fault on the computer and could help no further.

In March one morning, it happened again from cold start but garaged, 15 cranks then it started. Parked it for 2 hours, same again 10-15 cranks before starting, then again late that evening and the following morning, 15 cranks again then started.

Once again, its in the garage and still no luck finding the fault, and its not played up at all for them!

Please help/advise. Could it be the crank shaft sensor, but if that is the problem why wouldn't it register on the computer?

Thank you!

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Next time it refuses to start don't wait for it to make up its mind-do below immediately to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if okay-check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing

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Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 AT 10:23 PM

CAPTAINS109

MEMBER
1 POST

I know this is a 2011 posting but would like to reply for other site uses benefit

I have the same problem on my s-max but mine occurred while on holiday and had to have the assistance of a breakdown company who determined the problem to be the air mass intake sensor. All he did to rectify the problem was, at the front of the car he lifted the plastic cover up to reveal the engine, at the front and top of the engine there is the air mass intake sensor connector plugs that virtually hit you in the face they are that obvious. He just disconnected them both and reconnected them, started first time, and this after I tried to start it for about 15 mins, the car billowed out black smoke staining the grass which worried me at first but soon cleared and stayed clear. The problem is intermittent and I just do the same until I can get it sorted. I usually try for about 4 turns of the key then if it dosn't start go to pop the bonnet, if this solves the problem each time maybe your dealer can advise how to correct permanently. Hope this helps as it has drove me crazy trying to find someone to help without it costing a fortune.

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Friday, July 4th, 2014 AT 1:32 PM