Developed this problem over the last 6-8 weeks. The car will start fine and run fine, but if i drive it for ~30+ minutes it won't re-start unless it sits and cools off.

Sometimes starter turns but won't fire and sometimes the starter doesn't want to turn much at all. But always re-starts if I allow it to sit. Definitely seems heat related. Kind of sounds like a vapor lock problem but I haven't heard of any other TL owner with this problem.

Now if I want to stop for a beer or two after work I have to sit around and that 1-2 beers turns into 5-6 (at least that's my new excuse).

Any Ideas?

'99 TL. 176K miles

 

have you had the ignition switch recall done?

 

Yes, I had the ignition recall done ~2 years ago.

How would heat effect the ignition?

 

When it starts cold, is it rr--rr--rr--vroom, or zzt-zzt vroom? Like the starter is laboring?
If so, maybe the battery is dying, or the starter is dying, or there is a problem with the cable between the battery and the starter.
Check to see that the battery connections are clean and tight.
Autozone or similar should be able to do a load test on the battery.

 

Definitely check the battery and the connections.

It could also be a combination of items.

Perhaps a sticky Idle Air Control Valve?

And even an igition switch that been repalced under the recall can fail. Mine did and it was causing all sorts of odd start-up and stalling problems.

Good luck and let us know what you figure out.

 

Lately it's been more of the laboring type start you described.

I was thinking it may be battery related but isn't the battery at max power just after the car has been driven? I wouldn't think that it would "re-charge" itself by sitting for a while. Unless, it has something to do with the increased resistance due to higher temps?

I think maybe I'll have a buddy set-up to give me a jump after work some day (uhhh.... that didn't sound good), that should tell me if it's battery related.

And yes, I cleaned the terminals and insured tight connections. Thanks for the feed back.

 

Yup.
Battery test is free at autozone or similar, and would tell you for sure if that was it.

 

Drive the car to the parts store as suggested above- dont turn it off- leave trusted person in car to prevent theft of running auto-

have them bring portable tester out to car and they can check load and starting strength

How many years on the battery
Anything over 4 is gravy

 

Well, I learned something new. A battery can "re-charge" itself as it cools off.

Actually, what happens is the cables/connections cool, which reduces the electrical resistance, which allows more voltage to flow to the starter. In this case my battery was bad and the small amount of juice it could produce could not overcome the resistance of the heated system. That's my theorey anyway, don't take it as gospel.

So yeah, bottom line is the battery was bad. I guess I can't complain as it lasted 5-1/2 years (Motorcraft Platinum if your intrested). Just thought I'd see an indicator light or something.

Thanks for the advice fellas. Maybe now I'll do something about the CEL I've been ignoring for 3 years. Indicator lights, you just can't trust 'em (see above).

 

Glad you got it figured out.