Hello,

I have a 2002 E350 XLT Triton V8 club wagon and I've been having an intermittent starting issue for a couple years now. I only seem to have the issue when it's parked with the drivers/rear wheel lower than the rest of the van. It cranks, but sounds like it isn't getting gas and I can usually get it to start by spraying starter fluid into the intake. I know it sounds crazy and I've had multiple mechanics look at me like I'm out of my mind. The last time it happened I was parked on a slight hill and the back end was lower on the driver's side. It wouldn't start, so I put it in neutral, coasted to a flatter spot and it started right up. It also doesn't seem to matter how much gas is in the tank either. That time it had almost 3/4 of a tank of gas in it. The things I've tried so far are: changed out the fuel relay and inertia switch right before it happened the last time. Anyone have any ideas of what my mechanic could check next because he's at a loss?

 

Can you recall if you hear the fuel run for the usual 2-3 seconds when you turn the key on ? You certainly must hear it when it starts normally, but what about when it is parked in the questionable position? That would be my first question and then go from there.A questionable connection can be altered very easily by the shifting of body weight.
If I was to tell you these are the things that make a day interesting, you would probably say, "He's nuts", lol.

 

I wasn't sure about the sound of the fuel running, but I just went out to start it and heard it. I'm not sure if that happens when it won't start or not. That makes sense about a bad connection possibly causing it, but that seems like a hard thing to trace down. Where would you start?

 

During a no start event, you might with a helper, have them turn the key ON for a start/cranking attempt while you strike the tanks bottom firmly with the flat of your hand. Sometimes a failing pump can be intermittent and do odd things, sometimes resulting in the pump activation from the impact. . From there, during a no start event, checking for power distribution available at and on through the inertia switch. If present there, then back at the tank connector. Power should be there, and the PCM supplies the pump grounding for the run,, but is timed.....

 

Thank you both for the info! I'm thinking it must be the fuel pump since my mechanic has tried everything else. He did check the power distribution last time it wouldn't start and found it started right up after bypassing the inertia switch, even though it wasn't tripped. That's why he replace the switch and it started right up no problem until I was in that inclined position again a few days later. I think maybe I had 2 different issues and the incline issue is still a problem. Back to the mechanic again and I'll post back when he figures it out.