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Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
trdarch@gmail.com
May 26, 2009, 12:11 PM
Post #1 of 20
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Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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My 2000 Mercury Cougar V6 with 130k miles sometimes has issues starting. It doesn’t happen everytime I start it. Sometimes it happens multiple times a day, doesn't matter the time of the day or the temperature. The car just has a grinding sound when I turn the ignition; however, if I floor the gas, pump the gas pedal it starts up or even wait a few seconds or rearrage the key in the ignition it starts back up. It has been doing this for about 5 years. I have taken it to many dealers and mechanics and it has never done this for them and they can not find any problems with it. The check engine light is on but so far it is just because of the oxygen sensor. Could these be related? Any advise or help? I am driving across county soon and I don't want my car to not start up again. Thanks!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 26, 2009, 1:52 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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What is the exact code number being set?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Loren Champlain Sr
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May 26, 2009, 5:11 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Pardon my jumping in, here.
By pressing on the throttle, you aren't increasing the amount of fuel, but are allowing more AIR into the engine. If that helps, it sounds like it is running too rich. Although the Oxygen sensor won't contribute to that issue, it needs to be addressed. The sensor may have been damaged from running too rich, or just plain died. Or, could be a circuit issue, so don't run out and buy one until it's been properly diagnosed. There are a multitude of reasons it could be running rich, causing a flooding condition upon restart. If it always starts okay first thing in the morning, but has problems after the engine is warm, that sounds like a rich condition.
As Hammer suggested, have the codes retrieved and post them so we have a bit more to go on.
Loren
SW Washington
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
May 27, 2009, 9:28 AM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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What does running too rich mean? Too rich on what?
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Loren Champlain Sr
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May 27, 2009, 2:01 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Too rich means too much fuel vs. air. Perfect air/fuel mixture is 14.7 parts air to 1 part fuel.
Loren
SW Washington
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Guest
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trdarch@gmail.com
May 28, 2009, 10:59 AM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Thanks for all the replies. The code is P0401. I had this code before and I got the EGR valve replaced. Then a few days later the light came back on with the same code. I took it back and they said it was clogged so they unclogged it. A few days later it came back on. Any ideas?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 28, 2009, 11:32 AM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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That code can mean many things but rarely means the EGR valve is bad. 90% of the time, it's due to a bad DPFE (differential feedback EGR) sensor. They fail on almost every vehicle and set that code. It can also mean that the EGR passage is plugged up with carbon also.
It certainly has nothing to do with an oxygen sensor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on May 28, 2009, 11:33 AM)
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Loren Champlain Sr
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May 28, 2009, 3:09 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Agree with Hammer as usual. However, the P0401 won't cause a starting issue unless the EGR was stuck open, but should be addressed regardless. I'll bet we replace 100 DPFE sensors to 1 EGR valve (if, that). Probably, unplug the same amount of passageways. A plugged passageway can burn up the high temp silicone hose connecting the EGR to the DPFE. Sometimes, it will burn up the DPFE as well. I'd really question if the EGR valve was truly faulty.
Loren
SW Washington
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
May 29, 2009, 7:57 AM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Is the DPFE Sensor that same thing as the EGR Valve Pressure Sensor? I'm trying to find it at an auto parts store and that is all I can seem to find. Thanks!
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way2old
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May 29, 2009, 3:02 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Congratulations Loren!!!!!!
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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Loren Champlain Sr
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May 29, 2009, 3:15 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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W2O; I'm so damned proud of myself, I could just .....! 
Loren
SW Washington
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way2old
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May 29, 2009, 3:45 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Just don't forget while you are on vacation. Now back to the thread. I agree with Hammer and Loren. We have over 1000 Fords in our fleet and have either cleaned the EGR passages or replaced the DPFE on 75% of them. The rest are still under warranty.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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trdarch@gmail.com
Jun 1, 2009, 5:03 AM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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So I replaced the sensor last night and reset the check engine light. The check engine light came back on after about 30 miles of driving. Now I have replaced both the EGR valve and the sensor and the check engine light is still on. After replacing the valve the check engine light came on after about 30 miles. I took it back to the shop and they said the tubes were dirty so they cleaned those out and then the check engine light came back on but not for for about 300 miles. Could it just be dirty tubes again? How can I prevent the tubes from getting clogged/dirty?
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way2old
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Jun 1, 2009, 3:35 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Is it the same P0401 code again?
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Jun 2, 2009, 12:25 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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I guess we accidentially disconnected the obd-II link while messing with the sensor. At least that is what autozone said when I went to get it scanned again. Could this cause the cel to come back on? Is it pretty easy to find in the engine?
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way2old
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Jun 2, 2009, 3:16 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Are you sure they are not talking about the wiring to the DPFE sensor? It may just not be plugged in tight. What is the code number this time?
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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Anonymous Poster
Jun 4, 2009, 5:02 PM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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the auto zone clerk said it couldn't pull a code because it said the obdII link was disconnected.
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way2old
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Jun 5, 2009, 10:00 AM
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Re: Cougar sometimes not starting without pressing gas
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Check your fuses. More than likely one is blown.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Jun 5, 2009, 7:06 PM
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I took it to a different auto store and the guy managed to pull a code this time. it is the same p0401 code. I am going to be driving about 2300 miles in a week. I have had the car looked at and everything else seems to be fine. Would this issue I am having with the p0401 code have any real negative impact on the car during this road trip?
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