Intermittent Starting Delay

[dmk]

HI, I have focus hatchback 2003 zetec 1.8i, and I have unusual problems.

1.No matter cold or warm weather or engine sometime ignition start normal for 1-2 sec. sometime doesn't start on first key ignition but start on second key ignition.

2.No matter cold or warm weather or engine sometime acceleration speed is OK but sometimes acceleration speed is lazy and max. speed is not same in both cases. On diagnostic computer doesn't show any errors.

What could be the problem ? please for advise.

[jeebowhite]

Diagnostics computer? or onboard DTC code access?

It could be something simple like a clogged filter, so a good service, replacing all filters, and checking fluids is a good and chea place to start! plus it never hurts to place a shiny new filter in there!

[dmk]

All filters is new, the fluids is new and the levels is ok. The car has been tested in official ford service and doesn't shows any mistakes.

Any suggestions ?

[jeebowhite]

When you start the second time, is it key still in the ignition, and then fire up, or do you have to remove the key completely first?

Could be a sensor, but anything can happen between the last service and now. You havent hit a speed bump hard or anything have you?

When you put your foot down, would you describe it as lag, i.e. foot down for 5 seconds nothing, then all of a sudden the power comes or does it never arrive? then later down the road, you put your foot down and your taking off like a rocket?

[dmk]

On second time ignition the key is into the lock, the key is original with lock/unlock/back door switch not second reserve key.

It is hard to explain but I will try, sometime acceleration speed is normal from 0-100km/h take ~09-10sec.and the max. speed is aprox.190-195 km/h but sometime the acceleration speed is lazy mean from 0-100km/h take ~12-13sec.and max. speed is aprox.170-180 km/h. Strange.

What kind of sensor you mean ?

[jeebowhite]

Could be something like an oxygen, Mass Air Flow, or fuel sensor. Without codes its difficult to pinpoint really. Take a look under the hood, and see if you can find any hoses that may have a split, that wouldnt usually be picked up by sensors so may not show an error... also make sure you dont have any leaks?

Have you by any chance let the car run out of fuel at any point?

[dmk]

I have installed TNG system and the fuel is always min. 15%-25% but no matter gas or fuel the problem exist.

There is no leaks from the engine, the filters is few months old and before 1 week I was clean it with air pressure from the dust.

I remember in one case the fuel sensor shows some error on diagnostic computer and maybe that error was before buy the car or something.

[jeebowhite]

Best thing to do is reset the DTC codes, might need a dealer to do that, and then run the car and see if it generates an error.

So there are no leaks on any of the hoses in the engine bay? even a slight crack in one can ca use similar problems.

Have you tried to clean out the engine, using the likes of Redex or a stronger compound?

[artscot79]

Best thing to do is reset the DTC codes, might need a dealer to do that, and then run the car and see if it generates an error.

So there are no leaks on any of the hoses in the engine bay? even a slight crack in one can ca use similar problems.

Have you tried to clean out the engine, using the likes of Redex or a stronger compound?

It is hard to explain but I will try, sometime acceleration speed is normal from 0-100km/h take ~09-10sec.and the max. speed is aprox.190-195 km/h but sometime the acceleration speed is lazy mean from 0-100km/h take ~12-13sec.and max. speed is aprox.170-180 km/h.

well for a starters mate youll never get the same times for acceleration for a hundred reasons but heres a few 1.heat soak the hotter the engine and the longer its run the more heat is absorbed in the intake which will make the car feel a bit slower the car expects this and the ecu advances or retards the ignition to deal with it . 2.cheap supermarket fuels dont burn as well and causes the same symptoms. 3.outside variables humidity, temperature,wind speed wether youre driving head on into a wind or back to a wind all these and more will determine how well the fuel burns which in turn determines power thats just the way it is and to be honest you dont have an issue its normal all cars do it as for the intermittent starting when i first got my car i had a similar issue and replaced the battery and idle control valve and all was sorted no codes will get thrown up either but those worked for me and cured the issue 2 years on its still cured