CAR TAKES A WHILE TO START

you've got to switch 'er on and wait three seconds for the fuel rail to pressurize then start?...this should not be a problem unless three seconds is too long to wait~

No its more like 4 or 5 seconds, sorry about the 3 but its as if the engine tries to turn over and takes awhile for it to do so. I've had the car for two years and it never had that hesitation to start right away.

would take a second look at the fuel pressure regulator for normal operation~

Are you sure you have a 2013 mustang?

No idk why it says 2013 its a 1998 ford mustang gt

and thanks judge_roy i will take a look at it.

That makes more sense. Sounds like the fuel system is losing prime. Its susposed to only lose a small amount of pressure when off. Sounds like yours is losing all the pressure.

Do you know where on my 98, i can locate this problem and fix it?

you've got a fuel pressure regulator....just follow the fuel line~

the regulator is on the fuel rail.

thanks bro, all is a blurr anymore~

has a bolt~ should not be tough to find~

Hard start fuel problem on a '98 Mustang isn't a Fuel Pressure Regulator. More like a check valve on the pump or the pump failing. Ford Fuel Pressure Regulators of that vintage will usually rupture the vacuum diaphragm and dump fuel into the intake causing white smoke and really bad MPG - they won't prevent the fuel system from holding pressure. 3-5 seconds? That isn't an eternity.

I have a 2013 mustang gt I just took my car out today since its been in storage for 3 months. Two different times I went to start my car I turned the key and nothing happened. I would try a couple more times and it would finally start. Not sure what the reason is I will be calling Crowley ford on this issue tommorow. I bought this car last year in October. I drove it 2 months then stored it in my garage. I used a battery tender no problem. Last year this happened to me a couple times. I thought I was doing something wrong. Then today for this to happen two more times I ? What's wrong. Will be calling the ford dealership tommorow . I will let you know when I find out.

I drive a 98 Mustang, 3.8, 5 speed manual and i have the same problem...started as 3 seconds, now progressively got worse and is around 5 - 7 seconds for the engine to turn over and start up. Most recently it dies and then when i turn the key again it starts right up. One thing to note - after Ive driven around for a few minutes and turn the car off, it has zero problems starting up the second time which is why this problem is so hard to get diagnosed. By the time i get to the mechanic and turn the car off, there arent any problems with it starting up again.

I also have a 1998 mustang gt with the same problem. Wire brushed the spark plug wires and aired out all the fuses and it fired right up

@Christie712 I also have a 98 mustang 3.8 with the same exact problem. I hate the fact that it takes forever, embarrassing most times. I realized that it will just keep cranking for about 7-8 seconds and then the oil pressure with move from nothing to middle(normal) and it cranks up after that. So my assumption is how can I get the oil pressure to come up sooner. Sometimes I'll crank it for about 3 seconds, stop and it cranks right up. I also realize with how hard I drive, the longer it takes to start..

Dear Mustang Owners: 1. Anything under 15 seconds is normal cranking time - your car is older and so is your fuel pump (Change the fuel filter within the last 2 years?) 2. The Oil pressure has nothing to do with the engine starting. 3. A failing Fuel pump might have this effect but not usually. ** When you crank the engine, the PCM has to determine TDC of the #1 Cylinder. It has to reference the Cam and Crank Sensors to do so. It may take several revolutions. If your vehicle has been stored for any length of time without a Fuel Stabilizer added to the tank, it won't crank or run very well either. Comparing how it starts now versus how it used to start is virtually impossible unless you've been keeping track with a Stop Watch. Like I said, If the car starts within 15 Seconds - it's ok.

Anybody figure out the issue?? Boyfriend owns a 98..4-5 second sometimes longer to start and it is starting to be where the engine wants to try to turn over but dies... So we turn it off and then it cranks right up fine. And once driven and then recranked its fine. Any other suggestions??? Starter Alternator fuel filter coil pak has all been changed even new radiator...probably more cant remember everything we have had to replace

Having the same problem with my 05 GT. Sputters, spits and has a hard time starting. It'll take a couple minutes of this before she actual idles normal. I thought it was due to condensation in the fuel tank since she is not my daily driver. She runs once a week on Sat. if the weather allows her to. Runs really strong and powerful. Of course the procharger supercharger helps alot. But I don't think the problem has anything to do with the high performance aspect of her. Something else is going wrong, just don't know yet. No codes thrown.

Same issue please help !!!

Have you guys replaced the crank sensors?

Have you checked the fuel rail pressure? How long does it take for the pump to pressurize the rail I mean to the manufacturers specifications? What is the fuel rail pressure retention time (how long does the rail hold pressure) if the pressure leaks down and the pump has to repressurize every time you start it on every time it has set... you have leak , leaky systems cause the pump to have to work harder and over time could lead to pump failure if it's not repaired. The more the engine e deviates from factory specks, the less it's going to run like it did when it's new!

Same issue with my 2011. Takes about 5-10 seconds to fire up. Took it in to the dealer, traded it in for a new 2020 GT and it cranks right up. Problem solved.