2001 expedition wont start

[vyking67]

i just put my 2010 camaro away for the winter here in connecticut. and went to start driving my expedition, and it wont start it cranks like the dickens but wont run... here is what i can tell you so far... last sunday it was cold and rainy and i went to use it and nothing ,, i left it and every day tried to start it nothing then wednesday night i went to try one last time and it started right up .. so i figured good ill put the camaro away and use that... today i go out and nothing again i have looked online all day and it appears to be common but no one had a solution just a lot of people saying me too... i also had let the tank run very very low and i think that maybe the fuel line froze if thats possible.. i put a bunch of gas in it with some iso-heet and it will crank like crazy but will not start..

starter is engaging and turning the engine
the battery is good i had it checked
fuel pump reset switch is set
i dont hear the pump but i do hear a groan sound if i turn the key on


everyone is great on hear and im hoping someone might have had this problem or can give me a easy solution to try... my fear is that it will warm up and the car will run fine until the next cold day

[hotrdblder]

first, check fuses.
2nd squirt a bit of fuel into throttle body and have someone try to start, if it starts you have fuel filter/more then likely a bad fuel pump.
if that doesn't do it check for spark.

[vyking67]

Thanks for the reply I will try that first thing , right now it's snowing like mad and we already have about 8 inches of snow and it's not expected to stop until tomorrow night. But I will try that. Can it be gas or should I use carb cleaner or something that ?:)

[megaladon6]

there's a schrader valve in the fuel rail, turn the key on then depress the valve (have a rag handy) fuel should squirt out. this isn't definitive, you could still have a pressure or volume problem but...
next check spark, IIRC you have coil on plug? if you don't have spark, you'll probably have to go through the computer to check the cam and crank sensors. if you happen to have them, use a noid light on the fuel injectors.
it's possible to have neither spark nor fuel. in that case check you ECM fuses.

[Tom Welch]

try a new throttle position switch, or mass air sensor this is a fairly common problem. Easy to install and test yourself. if you do get it running and still have issues try unplugging 1 sensor at a time to see if the problem returns, that will help narrow things down.

[megaladon6]

IIRC the TPS won't affect start up, and i think the MAF won't either as it won't show a proper reading until the engine is running.

[hotrdblder]

yeah, dont throw parts at it when there are easy was to check the 3 things an engine needs to run,air-fuel-spark

[AintQik]

Fords are notorious fuel pump killas. Usually what happens it that the rail won't hold pressure. So, if it sits pressure will bleed off and it will not start. You can get it to start eventually and it will run, but when you shut it off it may not start again after a bit of sitting. An 01 should have a shrader valve as mentioned, some do not. I know that sounds nuts but I've got an extra rail in my garage when cars come in with no valve on them to run a pressure gauge. Depressing the valve may show you whats up, maybe not. If no fuel comes out its easy, get a pump. However, some fuel can come out and it still could not have the right pressure, but its up to you if you want to run to the parts store and get a cheapo fuel pressure tester. If you do, hook it up and crank it and see if pressure builds up. Off the top of my head I can't remember what that engine needs but its going to be around what 40psi at the rail. Not 8psi like in a carb car. It should also hold most of the pressure, they don't bleed back down. Check that and let us know. My money is on that, but I've seen almost everything. Replacing the pump in one of those is not too bad if you know your away around some cars and wrenches.

[megaladon6]

if you do have fuel (pressure) and spark but it won't fire, see if it fires on starting fluid. if it does, you'll probably have to check the fuel injector connectors for signal. i don't remember if there's enough power for a test light, but noids work well. (even though they are for much older systems)

[MonzaRacer]

Sounds more like a fuel pump issue, as for not having pressure ports on fuel rails on fords, I have never seen one yet.
Ill pretty much bet that pump is gone if its groaning. As for holding pressure on fuel rail the check valve is in the pump assembly. And if you do replace it buy a Motorcraft replacement, I have see quite a few bad aftermarket units. Fords replacement parts line come with Walbro pumps inside in most units, much better than most want to admit.

[68400BIRD]

Have someone bang on the bottom of the gas tank while you are turning it over. If it starts replace the fuel pump.

[vyking67]

it does have a schrader valve and there is not fuel or pressure...

here is the update. and i want to thank everyone that helped..

i had to bite the bullet and bring it to a garage to get fixed.. its just way to cold and i would have to work on it outside, and to boot i need the car sooner as opossed to later..

it did start with starting fluid ( first time ) so i know there is not fuel and more likely then not its the pump .. i let the tank get way below empty and basically i was told by my cousin who is a 20yr mechanic. that ford trucks and jeeps are famous for eating fuel pumps in the cold weather... i have had 4 jeeps and never had this problem but first ford truck and im a winner winner chicken dinner... he said that there are a couple of couplers in the whoel fuel pump assembly it self .. and that the actual pump might be good but its the plastic parts that couple it together that crack in the cold espically when you let the tank run low.. ( something to do with the amount of water and alchol that is already in the fuel seperating when its cold ) again never heard of that but sounds plausable.

he told me a permant solution was to run a external fuel pump and re-plumb the lines to the tank not hard but again cold.. or dont let the tank get below a 1/4 when cold ..

anyway its at the garage now and i hope that i dont get burnt with the dreaded not only was it your fuel pump but also the ( what ever cost alot ) ..

[vyking67]

got the truck back... new fuel pump plus all new rear brake lines while it was in there with the tank down .. they were shot...


just want to thank every one for there help...