starting issue

[studabaker]

I have been having a random starting issue after I drive it a short distance. I have noticed low oil and what appears to be oil on the valve cover. There are no drips when parked. I have been suspecting electrical and had some shady mechanic tell me it was electrical. Learn from my mistake and dont let some random person help you out because they will just break the plastic thing over the intake. I am taking it to a mechanic in a few days. I am mostly trying to solve this problem at the mechanic and post my results. Unless someone has had this exact problem before?

It will turn over fine and try to start but not make it past 500 rpms. It is almost like there is a fuel cut off being triggered somehow. The low oil is not showing up on the sensor but is not good or causing this failed starting issue. I want to do spark plugs and upgrade the battery connectors.

I have had a key made, a plain key without the chip in it, and it does the same thing. Which makes me suspect that somehow the key is not working right in the micro chip inside the key?

I thought maybe my fuel pump is going. It runs fine and this does not seem to be the issue although I have run pretty low on gas but never run out of gas. I will include the fuel filter in my list of routine tune up.

I have had this 2001 expedition for almost three years and no maintenance other than oil/oil filter and air filter.

 

[Bedrck47]

I truly think you know the answer to your problem
Based on your post in which you state,

"have had this 2001 expedition for almost three years and no maintenance other than oil/oil filter and air filter"

" I want to do spark plugs and upgrade the battery connectors"

But your statement
"I will include the fuel filter in my list of routine tune up"
What do you mean when you say that, since the only maintenance you have done is oil/filter and air filter? In three years

You suspect electrical problems and a Shady Mechanic tells you the same thing and you state
"Learn from my mistake and dont let some random person help you out"
and now you ask all the RANDOM members on the forum about your problem,

First it would be nice if you gave more information about the expy such as Engine, Mileage, when was the last time plugs and coils were changed, how old is the battery.

Your problem about the key surly indicates a electrical problem

 

[stamp11127]

You may have added to your problems by using the new key. If your theft light is blinking fast it may be dealer time.

 

[studabaker]

The starting issue is the same as when I use the plain metal key with no transponder.

It turns over but there doesn't seem to be fuel getting to the spark and air.

This makes me think that for some reason the ecu is cutting fuel.

Could it cut fuel due to low oil with no warning light?

The oil is a little low.

The vehicle I bought from a used car place three years ago now has 270 k miles. They changed the alternator when I bought it. I would put the battery at three years old however I have had it load tested and checked out.

It could be something as simple as the battery terminal connectors because the look spent.

My primary intent is to post the solution when I return from the mechanic friday. This has been the most random and inconvenient thing and I would hope that my post would prevent others from having this same issue.

I have done the oil my self. I thought I would help my engine by using synthetic. I researched and found this should not cause significant problems. I felt like the engine ran smoother for a while with less knock or a ticking that was minor and went away with synthetic.

It runs great and strong when it starts...

I wanted to post a picture of the valve cover looks like my oil leak but again no drips or warning light so it must be under load or something that the valve gasket is leaking.

Still not sure if that could cause it to not start?

Theories welcome but solution from mechanic will be posted tomorrow.

Happy holidays my friends

PS You know the shady type Im talking about. Don't just give someone your keys. As I did, and regret it. I still have the problem. The nice thing about the internet is random people can give advice and the facts can be checked in the real world. Random shady and random are different. At least you have a computer --> in the less than shady category.

 

[Bedrck47]

you didn't answer my questions When were the plugs and coils changed
Can't be sure but do you do your own work or take it to a shop??

When or if was the fuel pump replaced If over 100000 miles ago it most likely is on its way out Same with fuel filter

Not doing any of those things with that mileage and having owned it for almost 3 years just shows a lack of maintenance
Makes me wonder the condition of your brakes

Hopefully its a mechanic that you trust

 

[Bedrck47]

If the oil is a little low why haven't you topped it off so it isn't low.

Without starting the engine use a pats key and just turn it to the run position and see what lights come on before starting You should see all of the warning lights come on
if not then you could have some burned out lamps or someone has done some changes

How long have you had the problem with the key???

 

[studabaker]

OK the key was just a comparison

I have no Idea what is causing it but the symptoms are similar to when I tried the other key that i had made from the hardware store without the transponder.

I forgot that I did the brakes, calipers and rotors. yes and the oil and air filter. nothing else. Well I had the transmission swapped out with a used one that has been running surprisingly well.

I have no idea when the spark plugs were done last. sorry

The random start problem has been getting worse. The first time was in the rain last season. last year sometime in the rainy season. It happened last weekend and I had a guy look at it but I dont think he even did anything and it started and he took credit for it. Then again last tuesday and to the shady mechanics credit he came out and got it started by turning the key to start a few times quickly which I dont do to save the starter from grinding.

Im gonna put the battery on the tender just in case and try to drive it to the mechanic or get it towed.

I bet its something to do with fuel cut off due to some computer sensor thing.

 

[stamp11127]

What about the theft light? How fast is it blinking?

When you tried to start it with the non pats key the system thinks it is a theft and disables the injector circuit. You just added to the problem. Try the correct key and see if the theft light blinks about once or twice a second.

I would also check the fuel pressure. Depending on the mileage it may be on its way out.
Correct the battery terminal issue, clean the posts then read the battery voltage with a meter.

 

[studabaker]

I have been using the transponder key and the theft light is normal. With the same stock key it is giving the same conditions as if I had been using the hardware store key on occasion. Usually after a short drive about a mile or so.

I am suspicious of the fuel pump itself but I don't have the skill to test fuel pressure. I have had battery tested and it checked out. I have put oil in, yes.

The problem condition is that from what i can tell the fuel pump is working and the battery is strong but there is an injector disabled in the circuit. That is the vocabulary I will describe to the mechanic tomorrow. Thank you for that help.
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So after the mechanic changed my oil professionally he noticed that there was significant water in my exhaust.

There was a code but it turned out to be low voltage to the abs.

These pictures are of my valve covers.

The mechanic said that the exhaust should be repaired before going through water again. I want to also do spark plugs and improve battery connection in addition to the valve cover gasket and fuel filter.

 

[studabaker]

OK that exhaust thing was not it. It is still not starting intermittently... I'm taking it to a Midas tomorrow. I will clean the battery connections tonight. I think this lime away stuff will clean off the corrosion and oxidation.

With clean connectors and after a drive it will turn over with no ignition. Lights came on such as check engine and low fuel and low battery.
Hope to have a solution tomorrow.
Final:
Midas diagnosed the fuel pump and the full assembly is being installed by them.
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Been running good for a week but the fuel gauge is reading empty sometimes but i havent even filled it more than half.
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After a week and a full tank the fuel gauge is functioning properly.