Engine - Hard or No Start Condition

9235ford02

Article No.
92-15-4

07/15/92


^ HARD START - 2.3L - AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREES F (-18 DEGREES C)

^ NO START - 2.3L - AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREES F (-18 DEGREES C)

^ TRANSAXLE - ATX - USE OF "MERCON" AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID TO OVERCOME ENGINE CRANKING FRICTION IN COLD TEMPERATURES


FORD:
1988-91 TEMPO

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1988-91 TOPAZ


ISSUE:
A hard or no start condition may occur during extended periods of cold weather. At temperatures below 0~ F (-18~ C), overcoming cranking friction may cause a difficult starting condition.

ACTION:
Install synthetic "MERCON" automatic transmission fluid to reduce cranking friction. It will maintain a more constant viscosity through a wider range of temperatures. This provides better cold start capabilities. Refer to the following service procedure.


NOTE:
CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ONLY AFTER COMPLETING THE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES FOR HARD START/NO START.

WARNING:
BEFORE STARTING THIS PROCEDURE, PLACE THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT SELECTOR IN "PARK" AND SET THE PARKING BRAKE.

1. Put the vehicle on a hoist and proceed as follows:

a. Remove the sway bar bracket bolts on the passenger side.

b. Remove the front engine mount support on the driver side.

c. Swing the sway bar and front mount support down to access the cooler return line from the transmission auxiliary cooler to the transaxle rear cooler fitting.





2. Disconnect the cooler return line from the auxiliary cooler at the rear fitting, Figure 1.


3. Connect the cooler return line to a 9/32" (7.14 mm) I.D. rubber hose cut to a suitable length. Put the opposite end into a container large enough to hold about 2 gallons (8 liters) of ATF automatic transmission fluid.

4. Start the engine and allow the transaxle to pump ATF fluid into the container.

CAUTION:
AS SOON AS THE ATF IS NO LONGER BEING PUMPED INTO THE CONTAINER, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO AVOID INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSAXLE.

5. Add 5 quarts (4.7 liters) of Motorcraft MERCON ATF (E6AZ-19582-B) to the transaxle.

a. Start engine.

b. Allow the transaxle to pump the ATF into the container.

CAUTION:
AS SOON AS THE ATF IS NO LONGER BEING PUMPED INTO THE CONTAINER, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO AVOID INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSAXLE.

6. Disconnect the rubber hose.

a. Reconnect the cooler return line to the transaxle.

b. Install the front engine support bracket and sway bar.

c. Add 3 quarts (2.8 liters) of Motorcraft MERCON ATF (E6AZ-19582-B) to the transaxle.

d. Check the fluid level on the transmission oil level indicator.


OTHER ACTIONS TO IMPROVE COLD WEATHER STARTING

Other recommended actions for cold weather hard start or no start conditions are:

^ Change the engine oil to the required cold weather oil, e.g. 5W30

^ Clean and properly gap the spark plugs.

^ Change spark plugs every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).

^ Inspect the charging system belts, adjust and replace if necessary.

^ Check the battery which should be in good condition and capable of being fully charged.

^ Check battery terminals and starter connections which should be clean and tight.

PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS

E6AZ-19582-B MERCON Automatic V
Transmission Fluid

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
NONE
WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
921504A Install - "MERCON" 2.3 Hrs.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Only
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
DRIVE 08
OASIS CODES:
504000, 601300, 602300, 603300