My 2002 Taurus won't start at all now!

[sugarpop98]

Ok, my problem started a couple days ago. I would turn the key to start the car, but I had to hold it on longer than normal to get it to start. Go to the store, start it again and it starts fine. Next morning, takes a little longer to start, have to flood it and let it sit for a few minutes, but it still started, eventually. Go to the store, starts again fine. All this time I want to mention it ran normal after the initial burning down all the gas.
This morning, won't start at all. It turns over but won't catch. I hear the fuel pump come on and checked all the fuses. What could it be? I really need help with this. My husband's in Korea for the Army and I am home alone with two kids and one broken car. If anyone knows what I can do to fix this, let me know. Thanks so much!

[2001BlackSES]

Ok, Unfortunetly your car's engine is fuel injected and totally controlled by a computer, which depends on an intricate network of sensors, wiring, and mechanical inputs to schedule fuel flow and ignition timing. There are literally a 100 different things that could cause your problem. In order to figure out exactly what is wrong a detailed systematic approach is neccessary. I am sorry, but a repair shop that has the required test equipment on hand is almost unavoidable for a problem like this one.

[2001BlackSES]

If it was my car I would have the fuel filter checked for blockage and/or have the fuel pump checked for low fuel pressure output. It might not be supplying enough fuel pressure to the fuel injection system. Because this problem got a little worse each day and also because the car would start no problem after it was warmed up it sounds like either the fuel filter is clogging up or the fuel pump might be wearing out and not supplying enough fuel pressure to the fuel injection system. That would be my best guess with the info I got from ya. To check for low fuel pressure you will still need a repair shop unfortunetly

[aspec]

Are you using Flex fuel? My taurus had the same problem, they told me it was the E85

[BobHank]

I'm having the same problem with my 2001 Taurus.
But mine's intermittent. I'm bringing it to the shop tomorrow.

Member -shorod- posted this to help with my problem.
I suppose it's possible that your fuel pressure regulator is not working and/or you have a leaky fuel injector or two. When you don't crank the car over long enough, the injectors release fuel into the cylinders but don't have a chance to burn it. A bad regulator and leaky injectors could be allowing excess fuel to get into the combustion chamber. When you try to start the car again, the already wet spark plugs become saturated with the additional fuel and cause the plugs to foul. After sitting for 3 hours the excess fuel makes its way past the rings and the fuel on the plugs has time to evaporate.

I suppose if you have bad gas (watered down, old, etc.) it could cause it to take longer and a hotter spark to ignite the mixture. Check your plugs when the car won't start to see if they are wet with gas and to make sure the plugs still look good.

To recap, I'd start by checking the fuel pressure, condition of the spark plugs, and condition of the gasoline. When you are checking your fuel pressure, release the excess fuel into a glass jar and carefully store it for a day or so. See if you can see any separation occuring, like gas and water separating.