My daughter has an 02 taurus duratec that will crank and not start and is intermittent. Every time I have looked at this it was fine. Until today. Seems to be worse in cold temps (lower than 30) but may be a coincidence. It is not the battery so I suspect it has no fuel pressure. Any thoughts?

 

Do you have any kind of electrical test equipment that you know how to use?

 

I have a DVOM, it doesnt sound like the fuel system is primed as I dont hear the pump. The odd thing is this seem to be only in cold temps

 

On some models there is a fuel pressure sensor at the end of the fuel rail. This sensor sends a signal to the ECM and the ECM activates a fuel delivery module usually located in the trunk area. The system uses pulse width control to control the fuel pump in the tank. If there is no call to increase/maintain reqd. pressure, the fuel pump does not run or runs very little , so you don't hear it operate some of the times. The module in the trunk just handles the current required to operate the fuel pump.
It might be a good idea to check the connections since when cold things have a tendency to contract and a marginal connection can become an open connection if the temp gets cold enough.
Also you might want to check the crank sensor that is usually located behind the crankshaft pulley at the front of the engine. This could become open when the temp gets cold enough.

 

I was able to determine it had no fuel pressure and for the heck of it I put a charge on the battery and as soon as the key was on you could hear the pump prime and it fired right up. I ck the altr and it is fine and the battery is new. It will only have a start problem when temps are below 30. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

It's time to check all the grounds and connections starting with the battery cables.

 

It was the fuel pump after all

 

Thanks for the update !