Car will not start after sitting overnight?

Question

1996 Mercury Mystique, 2.0L fuel injected engine, auto transmission 77k miles (not a typo). Battery is good - car cranks with vigor. Fuel pressure is good - 38 psi (port fuel injected) , new fuel pump & fuel filter. Fuel pressure does not bleed down which might indicate a stuck open fuel injector. MAF & IAC seem good (don't know how to verify it unless a DTC code shows up). After about 5 minutes of attempting to start, it eventually does start poorly. But when it does eventually start, it runs well without misses. No DTCs. OBDII test shows everything working within parameters after the engine starts.

I'm stumped. I would prefer answers from anyone who had a similar problem with their car, not necessarily with the same make and model as mine. I'm not going to spend $800 to fix it, isn't worth that much.

I'm stumped.  I would prefer answers from anyone who had a similar problem with their car, not necessarily with the same make and model as mine.  I'm not going to spend $800 to fix it, isn't worth that much.

Dan B · Answer

My daughter has the exact same year, make, model car with about the exact same mileage with the exact same problem.  Her car's engine has sticking valves on all cylinders.  Do a compression check.  I'm thinking of pulling the head and cleaning the valve guides and valve stems.  Too expensive for a shop to do vs the value of the car.

? · Answer

Camshaft or Crankshaft position sensors, possibly?

Anonymous · Answer

check out youtube channel for scotty kilmer chennel, he has a video that covers all possible reasons for this particular problem. I am sorry I dont have the time to look for it myself because he has a lot of videos but he sure does have one that you need I am sure.

? · Answer

Ummm take it to the mechanic. Its that simple. Looks like you don't have any common sense. (:

Car will not start after sitting overnight?

4 Answers