1997 Taurus - Mysterious Problems Starting...

[stowell23]

Ok, 97 Taurus LX, Durtec 6cyl, 80k on it. Original Battery.

When I go to start this car, it used to turn over 2 times, then fire right up, pretty happy car that way, it was.

Now, when I go to start this car, it takes 5-7 turn-overs, and then catches. There was one time last week where it wouldn't start at all, a time the week before that after sitting at an airport for 5 days, where it took 3 serious tries to get it started. When it wouldn't start last week, turned it over until the battery was no longer able. I was able to get 5 good tries out of it before the battery disappeared. (a try being 10-20 seconds of cranking)

Other factors:
1. I bought gas .10 cents cheaper than anyone else was selling it, could this be the reason? Bad Gas?

2. It recently hit the teens in temp here in MI. As it has gotten colder, it seems the temp has effected the car.

3. The battery is original (others have suggested this...), could it be the battery isn't providing enough juice to work the injectors? (I don't think this is the case, since it cranks the engine very well when all is working).

4. The last factor into this is a very fast idle. I would be driving along and approaching a stop light, the car would feel like it still wants to go! I would apply the brakes but the engine wouldn't slow down. When I pop it into neutral at the light, the engine is at 2500 rpm, This car has typically idled in the past, at less than 1000rpm.

So that is my mystery. I would imagine the diags at Ford would tell me nothing, was wondering if anyone had any thoughts to what I might look at with regard to this problem and the possible contributing factors...

Thanks for any suggestions, they are appreciated.

St

More on this, when I left work the other day, it was 20 degrees outside, and it took a serious 4 attempts to start the car. So, sitting outside in the cold it taking an effect....

Again, thanks for any help you can provide...

St