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hard starting first start when cold


partsman
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my 2006 fusion 3.0 anytime the temperature is cold at first start the engine just cranks and cranks with no start. i have tried cycling the ignition several times before starting with no luck. also tried different keys thinking it was a pats problem but that didnt work either. once engine has started it runs perfectly with no fault codes. after the first start the engine starts the rest of the day just fine untill the next morning.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I am also having the same issue with my 06 SEL. I have owned it for two weeks and it has done this 3 times. I had the car at my local ford dealer with no luck. I actually just picked it up an hour ago. They did a complete diagnostic and fuel pressure test and they told me that everyhting checks out fine. They also told me they had a hard time starting it on Monday morning. (car was left there Sunday night to see if it happened again, which it did) They agreed that something is wrong, however they couldn't fix it and I got a bill for $250. I am so frustrated with the dealer and the level of customer service. There is alot more to the story with my frustrations with them, but that is another topic.

 

Back to topic at hand...

 

There has to be other people that have had this problem and had it resolved. From the searching I have done I have read that some people had the PCM updated/flashed and that has fixed the issue. I had mentioned this to the dealer and pointed out there was a TSB on the issue and they said it did not apply to my VIN #.

 

Any info or help would be appreciated

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I am also having the same issue with my 06 SEL. I have owned it for two weeks and it has done this 3 times. I had the car at my local ford dealer with no luck. I actually just picked it up an hour ago. They did a complete diagnostic and fuel pressure test and they told me that everyhting checks out fine. They also told me they had a hard time starting it on Monday morning. (car was left there Sunday night to see if it happened again, which it did) They agreed that something is wrong, however they couldn't fix it and I got a bill for $250. I am so frustrated with the dealer and the level of customer service. There is alot more to the story with my frustrations with them, but that is another topic.

 

Back to topic at hand...

 

There has to be other people that have had this problem and had it resolved. From the searching I have done I have read that some people had the PCM updated/flashed and that has fixed the issue. I had mentioned this to the dealer and pointed out there was a TSB on the issue and they said it did not apply to my VIN #.

 

Any info or help would be appreciated

 

OMG...$250.00 for a diagnostic?? That's outrageous!!! Where I live (Western New York) there are auto stores here that will plug in and do a diagnostic for free! But the bottom line here is they didn't fix anything but their pocket book. I don't blame you for being upset. I'd be a bit more than upset with them. I can't help you with your problem, but I can suggest telling the dealer that if they can't fix the problem, they why are you being charged $250? (and fight it).

 

 

 

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I am also having the same issue with my 06 SEL. I have owned it for two weeks and it has done this 3 times. I had the car at my local ford dealer with no luck. I actually just picked it up an hour ago. They did a complete diagnostic and fuel pressure test and they told me that everyhting checks out fine. They also told me they had a hard time starting it on Monday morning. (car was left there Sunday night to see if it happened again, which it did) They agreed that something is wrong, however they couldn't fix it and I got a bill for $250. I am so frustrated with the dealer and the level of customer service. There is alot more to the story with my frustrations with them, but that is another topic.

 

Back to topic at hand...

 

There has to be other people that have had this problem and had it resolved. From the searching I have done I have read that some people had the PCM updated/flashed and that has fixed the issue. I had mentioned this to the dealer and pointed out there was a TSB on the issue and they said it did not apply to my VIN #.

 

Any info or help would be appreciated

 

I have had the exact same issue have taken it to the dealer however its like the car is doing it on purpose and is doesnt replicate the problem. The other thing that is does is that when you leave 2 days without starting it then its guaranteed that its not going to start. Even today with only 4 degrees celcius and it did the same thing. I am taking it there hopefully on tuesday to see if they can figure it out... will definitely keep you updated and will let you know. Dealers here in Toronto charge an arm and a leg but will see what happens.

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I feel your pain. Its like I said to the dealer, I don't mind paying to get it fixed if it is not covered under factory, but it is frustrating when you get a bill and nothing is fixed. There is definitely an issue with these cars not starting. Please do keep us informed if you make any headway.

 

Good Luck!!!!

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

Any luck guys on solving the issue? I am taking mine to the dealer next week to have the pcm and tcm updated, we will see if it helps.

 

I have not taken it to the dealer because it's not doing the issue anymore... the weather has warmed up to the point where the car starts fine... I have read some other forums its.... mixed but from what I have seen it's a computer repogram issue ... that's what causes it fail starting during cold weather. How's yours did they fix it? Btw I think you should fight and call Ford Customer service they might do something for you since you have already paid 250$ and the dealer has done nothing.... it's time to go Corporate.

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I am still very frustrated with them, I have been in there twice in the past month and each time they say they will have the shop foreman and service manager call me back, I am still waiting. I am actually going in tomorrow one last time to see if I can get them to reflash the pcm/tcm. The next closest dealer is about an hour away from me, but I am preparred to take my business elsewhere. My car is not acting up as much now that it is warmer, however I still want it done. I even offered to pay for it and the service advisor said he couldn't authorize the repair. LOL

 

I am going to contact Ford's corporate office this week, I actually received a Ford survey from the first service and I can't wait to fill that out. I just hope somebody will read it along with the letter that I will attach. The sad thing, is that our family business has purchased over 10 new trucks from this dealer in the last 15 years, and they still don't seem to care. They are not only hurting themselves, but also Ford, as our next truck( my new truck this fall) will not be a Ford due to the fact I will not take it there to be serviced. The last time we had a truck there ( 6 months ago) for its first service. It took a day and a half to get an oil change done even though we had an 8 am appointment. My old man was freaking. When our trucks aren't on the road we don't make any money, but thats a different story for another day. LOL

 

I am not much of a complainer in nature, but the lack of customer service is amazing.

 

Well that ends my rant for the day, I guess we will see what happens in the morning.

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  • 8 months later...

im having this same problem

 

i live in northern new york really cold days in the single digits

 

i tried starting my 09 after work yesterday but it wouldnt start just clicks so i had someone come and give me a jump and it hesitated to start for a second then it started just fine.

 

Is this a bad battery issue? or a software issue or something? maybe a heated wrap for the battery would help?

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my 2006 fusion 3.0 anytime the temperature is cold at first start the engine just cranks and cranks with no start. i have tried cycling the ignition several times before starting with no luck. also tried different keys thinking it was a pats problem but that didnt work either. once engine has started it runs perfectly with no fault codes. after the first start the engine starts the rest of the day just fine untill the next morning.

 

Same problem here in Cleveland. Just started a couple of days ago, when the temp. dropped into the 20's. Replaced the battery and still a problem. Took it to Firestone service overnight, and the problem occurred again. The took it into the shop and tested the fuel pump and all is well. Then it started. Waiting for the problem to occur in the shop again. They will be keeping it overnight to see if the problem occurs again. Mechanic mentioned that it was not getting a spark.

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Same problem here in Cleveland. Just started a couple of days ago, when the temp. dropped into the 20's. Replaced the battery and still a problem. Took it to Firestone service overnight, and the problem occurred again. The took it into the shop and tested the fuel pump and all is well. Then it started. Waiting for the problem to occur in the shop again. They will be keeping it overnight to see if the problem occurs again. Mechanic mentioned that it was not getting a spark.

 

I have an update. The car sat at the shop overnight last night and would not start this morning (overnight temp. was about 36F). Spoke to the mechanic and told me that they would be replacing the Mass Airflow Sensor. We will keep it there overnight again, and hope it starts in the morning. The only issue is that it is going up to almost 50F here in Cleveland today, and the overnight low temp. will only be 39F, which may be too warm for the problem to replicate (if the mass airflow sensor is not the problem). The low temp. Sat. night will be 30F, which is colder than it was last night, when the problem occurred again. Hopefully it will start Sun. morning and the MAS repair will be the fix. I will update as the situation progresses.

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OK, this is just too weird.

 

My niece called me on Friday that her '06 has started doing the same thing as y'all are talking about. It's only recently started getting cold in the mornings here, and she says the first start takes 5-6 tries, but after that it's fine all day. I logged in here to do some searching and find this thread at the top of the forum... laugh.gif I was going to look at her car tomorrow while she's at work, but it sounds like I won't find much. I'm definitely keeping track of this thread.

Edited by RF Overlord
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I have an update. The car sat at the shop overnight last night and would not start this morning (overnight temp. was about 36F). Spoke to the mechanic and told me that they would be replacing the Mass Airflow Sensor. We will keep it there overnight again, and hope it starts in the morning. The only issue is that it is going up to almost 50F here in Cleveland today, and the overnight low temp. will only be 39F, which may be too warm for the problem to replicate (if the mass airflow sensor is not the problem). The low temp. Sat. night will be 30F, which is colder than it was last night, when the problem occurred again. Hopefully it will start Sun. morning and the MAS repair will be the fix. I will update as the situation progresses.

 

Car started just fine Sat. and Sun. mornings. 27 degrees F this morning (Monday) and car started just fine. Replacement of mass airflow sensor seems to have done the trick.

In a side note, on Sat. morning, the mechanic put the old MAF in a refrigerator. After the car started with the new one on, they put the old one that sat in the 'fridge back on and it failed to start.

Edited by ronmarley1
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  • 1 month later...

heh my 2006 sel started doing this about 2 months ago. after a cold night id have to cycle the key wait a min then try to start then it got to the point where it wouldnt start at all after a cold night it would just crank. replaced the battery(because i killed it one morning trying to start the car) and the plugs(kinda acted like it was flooded) hooked a fuel gauge to it made sure it has fuel pressure and the airfilter is new lol so its got fuel air spark and no codes and im out of ideas

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  • 2 years later...

I bought a 2009 Fusion in November and I haven't enjoyed the Dar at all because it is constantly in the shop. When it's cold it will not start for months I have been removing the battery post several times then it finally starts but 2 days in a row temperatures in the single digits and it will not start at all, removed the battery posts now the alarm sounds on the car and will not go off, so I took the post off and caught a ride. This is very inconvenient because I work 2 jobs and a full time student and it's hard to catch rides. I bought the car from a used dealer, as is and I am still making payments on it. Does anyone have any ideas of how this can be corrected. Of course the Ford dealership put it on a machine and said that the electrical system was not responding and charged me $100 for that. Replaced a jump box for $400 what's next, I have no more money to keep investing in the car that I love so much.

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  • 1 month later...

heh my 2006 sel started doing this about 2 months ago. after a cold night id have to cycle the key wait a min then try to start then it got to the point where it wouldnt start at all after a cold night it would just crank. replaced the battery(because i killed it one morning trying to start the car) and the plugs(kinda acted like it was flooded) hooked a fuel gauge to it made sure it has fuel pressure and the airfilter is new lol so its got fuel air spark and no codes and im out of ideas

 

Just because you replaced the spark plugs, and verified that you have fuel pressure does not mean that you have fuel and spark. For example, if the crankshaft position sensor went bad (and in some case the camshaft position sensor), you will still have fuel pressure but the injectors would not pulse and you would not have spark.

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Car started just fine Sat. and Sun. mornings. 27 degrees F this morning (Monday) and car started just fine. Replacement of mass airflow sensor seems to have done the trick.

In a side note, on Sat. morning, the mechanic put the old MAF in a refrigerator. After the car started with the new one on, they put the old one that sat in the 'fridge back on and it failed to start.

 

Uhhh this is very odd. A car will./would start with a bad MAF sensor. It will just set a check engine light code, and the check engine light may flash indicating a severe engine concern. I have a 2010 fusion 3.0L and i just verified this behavior. The car starts and runs fine (no issues). I un-plugged the MAF sensor (which also houses the IAT sensor) and i was able to start the car. Rather than display a check engine light on my vehicle, a wrench was displayed indicating a severe engine condition. I hooked up my scanner and had two codes, one for the MAF circuit low and one for the IAT, circuit high. The point here is that the car was able to start with no issues with the MAF un-plugged. Now that your car is running fine, why don't you attempt this experiment. Don't be surprised if it starts.

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Yes I have a brand new heavier battery because I thought that was the issue...but not

 

Most of the concerns that i read in this thread seam to point back to the battery or a bad ground (maybe corroded battery terminals). The evidence in your case was that you mentioned how removing the battery terminals and putting them back gave you some success. Even new batteries can be defective and go bad. You should get the battery "load tested". If the battery passes the load test (and has enough CCA for winter time), then i would go in the direction of ensuring the battery terminals and cables are clean and making great contact.

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Uhhh this is very odd. A car will./would start with a bad MAF sensor. It will just set a check engine light code, and the check engine light may flash indicating a severe engine concern. I have a 2010 fusion 3.0L and i just verified this behavior. The car starts and runs fine (no issues). I un-plugged the MAF sensor (which also houses the IAT sensor) and i was able to start the car. Rather than display a check engine light on my vehicle, a wrench was displayed indicating a severe engine condition. I hooked up my scanner and had two codes, one for the MAF circuit low and one for the IAT, circuit high. The point here is that the car was able to start with no issues with the MAF un-plugged. Now that your car is running fine, why don't you attempt this experiment. Don't be surprised if it starts.

This thread and the one above it are both over two years old. Your help is commendable but is an exercise in futility. Lots of people come here only because they have a problem, post once, and never follow up to let us know how or if the issue was resolved.

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I wouldn't quite say it's useless if it may help someone in the future :) . You are right that this is an older thread but hey, my input may help someone else. So if a mechanic tries to sell you a MAF sensor replacement for a cranking no start (can be intermittent, doesn't matter) condition, i would think twice about his assessment.

Edited by Marvin Crompton
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