1993 Mercury Villager Engine Hard to start

SPORKMAN

MEMBER
1993 MERCURY VILLAGER
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
190,000 MILES

When cold or sitting several hours, turn key, hear the fuel pump turns on and then stops. At this point I turn on the starter and it turns the engine but the engine will not start. I then turn the key off, then on and the fuel pump turns on and stops. I repeat the cranking sequence for a total of three times before the car will start. Fuel filter is changed regularly at 10K miles. This has been a problem for several years. This starting problem is only when engine cold or has been off for several hours. During operation, the engine runs smoothly with no stumbling. It is just the starting which is a problem. I have burned out one starter already due to the large amount of cranking to start the auto when cold. Check engine light is not on.

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

When cold or sitting several hours, turn key, hear the fuel pump turns on and then stops. At this point I turn on the starter and it turns the engine but the engine will not start.

Next time it refuses to start don't play with the key do below to find out what's missing fuel or spark-

Disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, 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, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it