Starts but then dies after 1 second, doesnt start again till key off, f. pump cycles

[jerseyjeeps]

I have a 1996 taurus with the 24v V6. When I go to start it, it starts fine, then immediately dies. It wont restart at all if I go to restart it, unless I take the key all the way back to off, then back on (to recycle the fuel pump on, I guess)

Anyone have this problem? I assume it has something to do with the fuel pressure, the pump gives it enought to start, then not enought to run. Or, something electrical is not keeping the pump going when it starts...Any help??

Thanks - EJ

[sfontain]

Originally Posted by jerseyjeeps

I have a 1996 taurus with the 24v V6. When I go to start it, it starts fine, then immediately dies. It wont restart at all if I go to restart it, unless I take the key all the way back to off, then back on (to recycle the fuel pump on, I guess)

Anyone have this problem? I assume it has something to do with the fuel pressure, the pump gives it enought to start, then not enought to run. Or, something electrical is not keeping the pump going when it starts...Any help??

Thanks - EJ

Interesting question. What's the mileage on the car?

If you haven't done it recently, replace your fuel filter. If it's clogged, that's going to cause problems. Make sure your air filter isn't disgusting. And if it's time for a tune-up, do that too.

So you start the car, it runs for 1 second, then dies. How long has it been doing this? Has it begun gradually or did it start happening suddenly? Does it happen all the time or only on a cold start? Has it occurred throughout multiple tanks of gas?

[jerseyjeeps]

Hi, thanks for the reply. The car has 105K miles. It runs great all the time and doesnt need a tuneup. It only did this one other time, and on the fourth try it started and kept running, no other problems. I run the car all the time, multiple tanks since the last time it did it. The other time was about 3 weeks ago. Only did it on cold starts. I was planning to look at the fuel filter first, like you said. Another site said check the connections on the fuel pump relay too.

[sfontain]

Well I guess I will say I'm a little stumped. Go ahead and deal with your fuel filter first. I would like to agree about the fuel pump relay, but I think you would see problems while driving if the circuit is opening up intermittenly, particularly when you hit bumps, etc., but do check that too.

Others here may have suggestions, but since this has only happened twice, and I think you've always been able to make it start eventually, I might just keep running it and try to pinpoint a problem. Whenever you start your car, leave the key in the on position for 1-2 seconds and listen for the fuel pump to make sure it's running and pressurizing the lines. Then start it; see if it ever dies under these conditions. If so, then immediately cycle the key to off, then back on; wait for fuel pressure; then start. See if you can infer anything useful from the car's behavior when you do this.

You may also want to take apart your air filter box and hose, take off your IAC and clean it and the throttle body. Your IAC valve may be stuck shut (though it seems unlikely if the car does run well for a second before stalling).

The other possibility is that your fuel pump is just on its way out. Unfortunately it's not a cheap repair, as the part alone from Ford is around $250, give or take. At 103K, I would say it's not an unlikely possibility.