Ford Ka 2003 Cold Starting Problem

[ciddy171]

Hello everyone,

I have a 2003 Ka with Duratec engine 1.3i

For the last few days now the first start of the day is almost impossible and can take an hour or more - it turns over fine and 'almost' starts but normally takes as I say about an hour before it does, and then it runs like a bag of nails for 5 / 10 minutes.

But then it runs spot on and starts first touch of the key all day - until the next day!

I had a Ford breakdown mechanic out a few days ago and he tested no end of things (no lights on dash by the way) and concluded that the coil pack was probably failing as he was "getting a spark but not when he expected".

So I fitted a new coil pack yesterday and this morning it is exactly the same! I've done a bit of searching and changed the temperature sensor and the following morning it started much better (not perfect, but better) however the next morning it was back to normal - so I wondered if it needed the ecu resetting due to changing the sensor - disconnected the battery for an hour or so and the next morning .... it started perfectly - drove over 200 miles without fault....

This morning it's back to not starting....

ANY IDEAS?????

Thanks!

[figz]

Possibly crank sensor fault, but without looking at it and testing things it is hard to say.

[ciddy171]

figz said:

Possibly crank sensor fault, but without looking at it and testing things it is hard to say.

That was the Ford mechanics thought and he tested it extensively and monitored it but reported it was fine.

[ciddy171]

Update....

I always park (overnight) half on the pavement so the drivers side is in the road and therefore slightly tilted down - I've discovered that if I park the opposite way round (so the passenger side is lower down) the car starts perfect!

Any thoughts???

[Turn7]

Unsure if yours is the same, my 52 plate has an inertia kill switch fitted behind the carpet on the right hand drivers footwe. This has a rd button on top to reset it.

Mine goes off if you bounce a kerb or similar and it kills the fuel pump power.

[ciddy171]

I assume thats stumped everyone then!