Mondeo mk4 petrol - starting probs...

spratley

Car is a Mondeo 2.0L Petrol, 58 plate. My wife has had a few problems starting the car, especially if she has just stalled it - it just turns over without firing. Today she was waiting at a bus stop to pick up our son. Turned the car off, but when she tried to start it again, she couldn't, and the yellow engine management light was coming on. She tried to start it for about 5 mins, then called me. I suggested she take the key out, wait for 10 mins then try again - fortunately, this worked. I'm thinking that you can't actually "flood" a modern fuel injected engine?
Could be all sorts of reasons for this problem, of course, but are there any known issues with this model? It's only done 36k, and the spark plugs are fairly new. She had just filled up with fuel - hopefully didn't get a dodgy tank full? Also, I have only ever washed the car by hand, but she took it to a car wash very recently. I notice that this engine has no plastic undershield, unlike my old diesel Mondeo, but this may be a total red herring! Any ideas, please?

GolfBravo

So problems starting a warm engine, and no problems staring a cold engine?

And once it starts (when warm) is there, by any chance, a big cloud of black exhaust smoke?

spratley

Not sure on that, GolfBravo. What would that mean?

SLITHER99

Happened on my 2.0 petrol Mk 3.

Turned out to be the fuel pump. Ford will want £600, an indie about £200 as it's on the tank itself.

I love how all the old "known issues" are coming back on the Mk 4.

Word to the wise: Fix it, sell it!

spacey2012

The EML will have stored a fault code, this may give some clues, it could be a poor crank sensor issue.

Put the key in and turn to steering lock off, thats before any lights come on the dash, hold the dash milage reset and turn the key to ignition on and hold it .
Use the reset button to scroll through the diagnostic pages and write down what it says at DTC code from the lcd screen.
It may have a stored dtc in the dash as this is where crank, speed and cam sensors diagnostics are stored, something people learn after buying a code reader.

,
Just turn they key off to reset, it will lose the trip mileage and fuel mileage readings.

bigjl

A bit leftfield.

But try using the spare key.

Unless it is something as simple as an immobiliser fault.

Sometimes you can be that lucky.

Don't know how the immobilisers work on the later stuff but it used to be a plastic ring sensor located behind the ignition barrel, when you turned the key it turned off the immobiliser.

Worth a try before getting a garage involved.

spratley

Thanks for the suggestions! I have heard of fuel pump/filter probs, but the car has only done 36k, so I'm hoping this is not so likely. Anyway, will certainly try to find the fault code, and also try the spare key. Have never had the problem myself - it has only happened to my wife... Hmmm.

SLITHER99

spratley wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions! I have heard of fuel pump/filter probs, but the car has only done 36k, so I'm hoping this is not so likely. Anyway, will certainly try to find the fault code, and also try the spare key. Have never had the problem myself - it has only happened to my wife... Hmmm.

I don't wish to be the bearer of bad news, but I needed one at 35k, 50k, 70k and 100k (vague mileages from memory).

It's a known issue, I'm afraid. It will gradually get worse until you go out one day and nada. I left my first one go right to the end and it let me down in Tesco car park after a weekly shop.

spratley

Thanks again- I won't shoot the messenger! But the problem only seems to be when starting from hot - why would this be? More research needed, I think. Also hoping to hear from "friend of friend" who runs the local Ford service centre...