2007 Ford Police Interceptor Won't Start

[HotRodZilla]

Ok...my brother and I are looking for any suggestions any of you may have.

My brother, who is also a cop, but for a different agency, has a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. He lives where it is pretty cold for NM standards and he is having issues getting his car to start.

When it is cold outside, he has to turn the key to the 'on' position and let the car sit for 5-10-even 15 minutes before it will start. The car will turn over, but simply cranking the car for extended periods will not get it to start. He jokes and says he has to let the glow-plugs warm up. After the car sits in the on postion for long enough, the car will fire up and runs like a champ. He has the most problems when it is cold outside; although, the car will also not start sometimes when the temps are relatively warm. It only happens when the car itself is cold, so there are no problems turning it off to go into his office or lunch or anything like that. Mostly cold starts on cold days (nights).

First thing I thought was that the fuel pump may not be priming but his shops replaced the pump already. The car has been doing this since last winter (2007-2008) and is now getting worse. Apparently no one can figure out what the issue is, so I thought maybe someone here would have an idea. Maybe he can get his guys to follow up on something and find the fix.

PS...I'm gonna double post this.

 

[Toecutter]

...so I thought maybe someone here would have an idea.

Try an import?

 

[Panman]

...so I thought maybe someone here would have an idea.

Try an import?

Gee Toe, you no likey anything American?

 

[Jeff Q]

Fuel pressure? Too many variables. Check engine lite?

 

[mattster31]

Sounds like his car has filed for bankruptcy protection, and is waiting for a cash injection of a billion kazillion dollars before it will allow itself to start properly. <_<

He could always express his anger HERE

 

[ALDAWG]

Cuz it's a FORD.....Trade it in for an FJR.......

 

[twistedcricket]

Ok...my brother and I are looking for any suggestions any of you may have.
My brother, who is also a cop, but for a different agency, has a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. He lives where it is pretty cold for NM standards and he is having issues getting his car to start.

When it is cold outside, he has to turn the key to the 'on' position and let the car sit for 5-10-even 15 minutes before it will start. The car will turn over, but simply cranking the car for extended periods will not get it to start. He jokes and says he has to let the glow-plugs warm up. After the car sits in the on postion for long enough, the car will fire up and runs like a champ. He has the most problems when it is cold outside; although, the car will also not start sometimes when the temps are relatively warm. It only happens when the car itself is cold, so there are no problems turning it off to go into his office or lunch or anything like that. Mostly cold starts on cold days (nights).

First thing I thought was that the fuel pump may not be priming but his shops replaced the pump already. The car has been doing this since last winter (2007-2008) and is now getting worse. Apparently no one can figure out what the issue is, so I thought maybe someone here would have an idea. Maybe he can get his guys to follow up on something and find the fix.

PS...I'm gonna double post this.

Cars only need three things to run; fuel, spark and air. When was the last time the car had a tune-up? (plugs, wires, spark management) - maybe a bad coil pack? Could be a bad spark plug....

run a bottle of sea foam through a full tank.

Even if there isn't a Check Engine Light (CEL) the car's computer might have an error code stored. Go to almost any auto parts place (advance auto, autozone) and they should have a code reader that you could borrow to get the codes.

just guessing; not a lot to go on...

 

[BwanaDik]

FORD=Found On Road Dead (an oldie but a goodie, couldn't resist)

 

[Geezer]

The first thing I would do is check the air filter. If that looks clean then replace the fuel filter. While you have the old fuel filter out you can turn the key on and see what kind of pressure you are getting from the pump. On a fuel injected engine the fuel should squirt out pretty fast. You might try just disconnecting the output side of the old filter first and see what kind of pressure you get, then remove the filter entirely and see if there is a noticeable difference. That will tell you if the filter is clogged.

Um, do you guys have to fix your cruisers yourself? I figured you'd just turn it in to the guy that gets paid to maintain the fleet. :unknw:

 

[Toecutter]

Gee Toe, you no likey anything American?

I wouldn't say that, not to mention that my wife is a good part Native American....

 

[Aasland]

...so I thought maybe someone here would have an idea.

Try an import?

It is import. From Canada.

 

[Aasland]

FORD=Found On Road Dead (an oldie but a goodie, couldn't resist)

Fix Or Repair Daily

 

[HotRodZilla]

Ok...Maybe I forgot to mention that the car is not my brother's personal car. It is his issued police unit. The car gets maintenance every 3000 miles and other than the starting thing runs really well. I just thought someone here would have some actual wisdom. :unknw: See what I get for thinking? :swoon2:

Probably by the time they figure this problem out, it will be time for them to issue him a new car. Then some poor rookie is gonna get the car that won't start in the cold.

 

[k7lvo]

As has already been said, there are too many variables. I'm surprised, however, that the mechanic/technician hasn't started swapping out a few parts, either from other vehicles or from stock, something that isn't available to the "shade tree mechanic." The coil pack, already mentioned, would be a good bet, as would the computer. I would think that someone familiar with the mechanics of that particular model could come up with some more ideas. Intermittents are a bear, however this one, at least, has a pattern.

He might even try warming it up, then shutting it down and trying some cold spray on some of the electronics to see if it affects a restart...

 

[radman]

2 things our C Vics are known for-being battery eaters (new every year minimum, and I stock 7 year Delcos), and fuel filters at every other oil change (Ford bulletin on that). The multitude of electronic add-ons are often a source of electrical woes, lot of potential for leaks, and that will kill a starting battery in short order. Could well be turning over, but using so much current for starter that ignition has little or none to work with, and Ford ign systems are notorious for poor performance under low voltage conditions.

 

[juniorfjr]

I think rad hit it, I was thinking low voltage also. Has the battery been changed?

 

[Panman]

Toe it's Friday! Hope all is cool?

I agree with Dad Rad, they will turn over great and not fire, not enought juice to the ECU and no starty.

Never happens here, never gets that cold, my 12 year old Grand Marquis still has the original battery!

 

[ponyfool]

We have a fleet of 350 of them. I spoke with a friend who is one of our auto servicers, and he said he hadn't heard of that problem. Granted, he is only responsible for about 70 of them as he only covers two precincts.

 

[HYCLE]

Try adding something to see if it starts.

First, connect a jumper battery in addition to the one in the car and see if this helps.

Second, give it a shot of starting fluid before cranking.

Maybe this way you can see what helps and then know where to look.

If you can connect an OBDII scan tool, look at the rpm when cranking. If you don't see a number then most likely the crank sensor is failing. The computer needs to see the engine is spinning to add fuel and spark. BMW needs to see 200 rpm on some models before it will start.

Lots of possible causes, but you got to start somewhere to narrow it down.

Mike