Long Crank/Hard Start 2.0L And 2.3L Engine With MTX-75 Transaxle Bulletin

[ZX4ST_DFW]

Originally posted by jmotank
the thing is IMO that is BS. sounds weird that one specific filter is "special" to our cars. also i had the problem before i ever had my first oil change. so at that time i had the OEM filter on there. that just sounds plain odd to me. but maybe i'm wrong.

Well, I have driven close to 100 miles since the update yesterday morning. So far, I have not had a hard cranking problem. But, then again, when I first took the car home from the dealer, I had it happen on every other restart of the engine. I was pretty upset, called my SA and he scheduled another appointment for me on Monday. He asked me to drive it and keep an eye on it, though. I told him I would do that. I will check into the pressure relief in the oil filters myself, over the next few days. I will check with each manufacturer, including Ford, to see the actual specifications.

I'll let everyone know.

[jmotank]

thanks for the info!!

[BlacKnight]

Well, mine did it again this morning. Haven't had a chance to mention it to the service dept. yet. Guess I'd better go do that now.

[ZX4ST_DFW]

Well, my SA has my car right now. They were pulling it into the shop about 30 minutes ago. It is cold this morning and I reminded him that if they shut it off, while the motor is cool and try to restart it, they'll see the issue. They assured me, that they would find this problem and fix it. I hope so, because I've been driving a loaner from the dealer and I just don't like it as much as my fun little ST.

I will know more later this afternoon, hopefully.

[ZX4ST_DFW]

BlacKnight I just sent you a PM

[EricR]

ZX4ST_DFW and/or BlacKnight,

Would you guys please give us an update on this?

[ZX4ST_DFW]

Okay, here is the scoop!

My local dealership worked with Ford Engineering and they checked all of the items that could have possibly caused this issue.

1.) They pulled the driver's seat and checked a harness under the seat that ties in with the
Perimeter Security System. They disconnected and reconnected it.
2.) They reprogrammed the PCM according to the TSB and replaced the Idle Speed Control
Valve and checked all of the grounding points on the Engine Wiring Harness.

So far, I have not had any incidence of this issue, including the 'hiccup' at speed on the highway. I drove the car right at 600 miles since last Tuesday when I got it back and have not had a single 'Hard Starting' issue either.

So, with them checking all connections and reprogramming and replacing the ISC, it looks like they fixed it. But, only time will tell.

Hey, I love my ST, so there are no gripes from my end.

[EricR]

Now that's good news!

Sounds like you'd better drop off a box of candy or a six-pack of micro-brew for your service advisor this Christmas!

Thanks for the update!

[jeremy]

hmmm. i have had the long cranking times - almost came to accept it as a quirk of my car until i saw this thread - but i don't know if the oil filter has anything to do with it - my car has been serviced at the dealership since new - so, i have only been running oem (the magic motorcraft filter) - at times i have also had the studder, i don't have a perimeter alarm, but i had the dealer take it out before i bought it, maybe there is a ground issue? - most of the time i think it is my rpm's not corresponding to the correct gear - i forget about the computer on the car - the only other issue i have is the loud lifter tick at idle

[ZX4ST_DFW]

There is one more thing about this. It shouldn't have anything to do with it, but the Service Tech also replaced the Noise Suppressor coming off of the Coil On Plug Packs. It is mounted next to the cams and is mounted on a short bracket. It has a grounding wire that attaches to the frame, next to the Strut Tower on the right side on the engine compartment. He found out that the ground wire was broken. It is a small black square box. For those of you having this issue, check that wire. Being a former mechanic in the military, I see no reason for this to cause any issue. But then again, I was working with 1950-1970 technology. This is 2005. Anyone have any ideas on this?

Dean