2007 focus wont start when its cold out

[perkinstouch]

My GF has an 07 Focus with a 2.0L and it will not start right away when its cold out. The car will turn over but its not getting fuel. you have to turn the key on and off until you hear the fuel pump kick on then it will start. sometimes it takes like 30-40 mins to start. I changed the fuel pump today and checked wires but that did not fix the problem. any ideas on whats the problem could be??

[Sponsor]

[Milton]

Fuel pump relay?

[perkinstouch]

Is there a way to test the relay?

[whynotthinkwhynot]

Your problem could be the PCV line. It's easy to find, but it's not easy to replace. What is happening is that you're experiencing a lean condition as a result which makes it difficult to start when it's cold. Then, if you cycle the key back and forth from OFF to START, you are going from lean to flooded, and the cranking slows down when it's flooded- you might think the battery is running low.

The PCV line on this car is located underneath the intake manifold. Find the oil filter, and look upwards between the plastic intake manifold and the engine block, and back towards the throttle body a bit. You'll see a hose going from the intake manifold to a black box on the side of the block near where the oil pan connects to the bottom of the block. Grab that hose, push it around, and see if it is split. To replace, you're going to need some long, angled needle nose pliers that will fit in there, and a new hose. You can plug the hole in the intake manifold, and leave the PCV open to the atmosphere- even with a section of hose still connected to it. That will help test this theory that the PCV hose damage is causing your starting problem. Proper vacuum plugs are available fairly cheaply at all parts stores, and it's much easier to reach the intake manifold side of the PCV hose.

[perkinstouch]

I just swapt the fuel pump relay and it seems to Brit starting fine. Looks like or was the relay.

[Milton]

Glad that worked, now you're a hero with the GF.

When I have an intermittent electrical issue, I look to see if it involves a relay. If so then locate the relay. Next turn the circuit on, in your case just turn your key on. For a horn relay I had someone depress the horn ring. Then tap the suspect relay with a screwdriver handle, if things start working then it's a good bet it's the relay. Most relays are cheap enough that just replacing it to see it cures the issue is acceptable.

[perkinstouch]

Originally Posted by Milton

Glad that worked, now you're a hero with the GF.

When I have an intermittent electrical issue, I look to see if it involves a relay. If so then locate the relay. Next turn the circuit on, in your case just turn your key on. For a horn relay I had someone depress the horn ring. Then tap the suspect relay with a screwdriver handle, if things start working then it's a good bet it's the relay. Most relays are cheap enough that just replacing it to see it cures the issue is acceptable.

this has been an issue with this car for about 1.5 years and a while back I had someone tap on the relay while I tried to start it but it didnt help but I never actually took it out and tested it with another one. I also would have thought the dealership she brought it to would have been able to diagnos is a little better instead of tell us it was the fuel pump. guess they really wanted that $1000 they quoted us. took me about 2 hours to change the fuel pump and 3 seconds to change the relay. Live an learn i guess.