1997 hard starting after sitting overnight

[97bird]

I have checked fuel pressure 35psi but I have to prime the system 3 or more times before it will start. Almost sounds like a air lock.

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[mcm51]

I assume that once you get thru with the hard starting, it runs like normal and starts like normal after that for rest of the day, it only struggles after sitting overnight, that could be p.c.m. or even the fuel relay(c.c.r.m.)......

 

[97bird]

I have replaced the ECM which did solve some of my problems. But now it's having the same issue if it sits for 1/2 hr.

 

[mcm51]

Well on the fuel side, ya got your pump, regulator and c.c.r.m....just hearing your pump prime is not always a sure thing, how long has the pump been in there? ......the pressure regulator, if it's acting up, it could be sending most fuel back to the tank until it wakes up and sends it the right direction AND always make sure that regulator vac. line is not damaged or full of fuel, how long has the regulator been on there? .......and the most over looked item sometimes is the ccrm, it takes a command from the pcm to turn on the fuel pump, I know you here the pump prime, but that does'nt mean that it's working during the crank and run cycle, how long has the ccrm been in there?
That about covers it on the fuel side, now if it's not fuel OR the pcm, you could be looking at cam/crank sensor, mass air sensor and one more thing that I can't think of right now, and strange as it sounds, and I'll heard this many times but never saw it myself, I've heard the coolant sensor(the one with several wires going to it) can keep it from starting, and I'm not sure how that happens but I've read that several times AND it's always seems to be an '96 or '97 Bird...............

 

[97bird]

Ok thanks for the info. The fuel pressure regulator is new, seems to be working as expected, the pump is new,crank and cam sensors new. The ccrm has not been changed yet but it will be swapped out for a good one 🙂.

 

[mcm51]

Do make sure ya give a good look at that vac line going to the regulator, check it for cracks or damage from regulator back to throttle body for the heck of it........if ya ain't got a tight wallet, better swap out that ccrm box, your fuel delivery could be getting messed with if that box is not working properly, like I said, it stands between your pcm and your fuel pump, it has to work right, or get correct commands, if it's never been changed, or you have no history on it what so-ever, I'd swap it out, if it changes nothing, you have a working spare, I think those ccrm boxes are getting hard to find for our cars, I'm lucky I've got a working spare or two, it's something to look into if ya plan on having the car for a while, AND it still would not hurt to swap out that coolant sensor(the multi-wire one) if you have no ideal when it comes from or how long it's been there, like I said, I've heard it can cause a no-start condition, although I have never seen it in my Ford years, only heard of it, what the hey, quick swap for $30. bucks........
The only other two things I can think of that would mess with motor, besides what you have done, mass-air sensor OR the main brain, the pcm..........

 

[mcm51]

Sorry, I did see that you did swap the p.c.m., just hope it's the right one, there's a lot of that going around these days with our MN-12's...............Do you recall what the 4-digit catch-code(printed in bold black on label) was on the one that was installed or on the on that came out ?.................