2001 C320 - Wont start

RSTDOHERTY

MEMBER
2001 FORD FESTIVA

HELP!

We have a 2001 C320 that all of a sudden one day is wouldn't start. We charged that battery and all was well. For a couple of days. It happened again so we had the battery tested. It was ok but on its way out - so we replaced it. Now it doesn't start, it will turn over but will never actually start.

It is getting spark & fuel. But after awhile just sitting there, we have now noticed a pool of gas under the car - more towards the front end.

Also one day we came home from work and a beeping noise was coming from the car so we unhooked the battery. It kept beeping!

Now every once and awhile we will get some ambition to work on it and the battery will be dead again.

Please help - I'm sick of driving the loaner Bright Blue Ford Festiva around town! :(

1 Reply

BENZ_GUY

MEMBER
28 POSTS

First and foremost clean up the fuel and have a fire extinguisher handy before continuing.

It sounds like your car may be flooded to the point that it cannot start.

Battery voltage and voltage supply can have a direct effect on flooding.

The injected fuel quantity is determined by the opening times of the fuel injectors. This opening time is dependent on the battery voltage. If, for example the battery voltage is insufficient, the ME-SFI control module extends the injection time in order to achieve the specified injected quantity. No further engine start is possible at a voltage of less than approx. 7 V.

So if indeed you were trying to start the car with a bad or undercharged battery the fuel injectors will remain open longer allowing the plugs to be fouled with the added "overdose" of fuel.

I'd try removing a spark plug and check to see if it's wet.

If they are wet, replace them, (leaving them out overnight would help to evaporate the excess fuel in the cylinders) then install the new plugs and try to start it again, this time make sure the battery has a full charge and if it doesn't start right away, I'd hold the gas pedal to the floor while cranking it and see if it makes a difference.

Hope this helps

Please let us know how you do.