My '02 Bird won't start !

[BLUBRD]

It has sat for about a month, but that has never been a problem before. It only has 3700 miles on it and the battery is fully charged and hooked up to a trickle charger. The engine cranks just fine but, it seems like it's not getting any fuel. I went to take off the air filter so I could pour a little gas in the carburater, but...Hmmm is my age showing? I'm not sure if my gas got gummed up or if I have a little vapor lock. Any Ideas would be greatly appreciated.I live in Dallas and were gonna hit 80 today so I don't see the temp as a problem.

[George]

Blubird:
First of all, WELCOME!!
If it is truly not getting fuel, I would suspect one of the fuel pumps. The problem there would be that they redside in the tank itself. Our fuel tanks are saddle style so there is a pump from one side to the other and one to the engine.
You may want to see if there's a trouble shooting section of your manual.
Also use the search function above. Keep us tuned in.

[George]

I did some searching for you. Some members have found that if they filled up the gas recently and did not have the gas cap screwed tightly, the system lost it's pressure and resulted in no starts. At least something to explore first.

Then read these posts:
http://forums.thunderbirdforum.com/s....htm#post25109

[BLUBRD]

Thanks for the help George. Unfortunately, I am aware of the gas cap issue and it was one of the first things I tried.." no joy " as we used to say in the corps. I wasn't able to open your link, but I did go back and found the fuel filter threads. That whole setup sounds downright scary. I only own the standard owner's manual and it's pretty much useless for anything other than a drink coaster. I have been trolling e-bay and found some manuals that I'm considering. I have the extended warranty for 7 years or 75,000 miles. I don't feel to worried about the mileage. It would just kill me to have the car towed out of my garage because it won't start. I'll keep you updated, Thanks, Bill

[George]

Thanks for your reply Bill:
I found more than one thread and do not know which ones you could/could not open. So, I will copy them here. If no help to you, at least they will be here for others:
I have a 2002 T Bird with 26,000 miles. Last year it wouldn't start while at the dealer getting an oil change. They found a blown fuel pump fuse. It happened twice since then - I replaced the fuse and all was OK. Now the car won't start at all and the fuse is OK. I am guessing the fuel pump finally went? or is there another issue? Would like to hear from any folks with similar experience before I go to the dealer and get soaked.
**************
Chip; More info I'm finding for you:
One guy says:
There were reports of problems with some 2002 Birds having problems similar to this. The gas tank is a saddle tank that straddles the drive shaft tunnel and there are 2 fuel pumps, one for each side.
Another:
Something I learned. The electric fuel pumps that Ford uses are located in the fuel tanks and are partially kept cool by being submerged in gasoline. Keep your tank partially filled at all times because when you run low on gasoline your fuel pump is running hotter than when it is totally submerged. The gas gauge is part of the fuel pump and if it doesn't work, you have to replace the fuel pump to get a new gas gauge. But if you fill the tank up,say
evry 150 miles or so, your fuel pump is happy.
Last one:
A former service advisor says - low fuel in the tank could cause a pump to burn out as the 2nd pump relies on the fuel to keep it cool.
*****************
Chip, this is the last part of my research for you:
From a, ex-service advisor:
If your dealer was able to verify your concern and unable to correct all they have to do is call Ford's "Tech Hotline" and they may have the answer.
If not ask if they have a "Flight Recorder" (small computer with a button you push to capture events) that they can put in your car and let you dive it and capture the events in real time. heck if they can find then they can send a copy to the Hotline and the Engr's can review. I checked Oasis and there is no TSB or SSm's at this time for this problem.
Another says:
The pump control module monitors the fuel pressure and sends signals to the pumps that results in maintaining the required amount of pressure to the injectors. I believe it is 38 lbs.
Another:
I've had my T-Bird about seven months now, the first month...gas sensor went out, burnt up fuel pumps, stranded wife....dealer fixed.
Same guy:
The dealer called said the fuel pump had gone out again! In just 4 mths. I asked why, "Well human made parts..blah blah blah..." so I asked for the service manager, who was nice, he said he would call Ford to inquire what to check other things/causes...I just dont know...two times the fuel pumps gone out in four mths...
And he finally got:
The Service Manager called me back said thay had done performance/voltage etc. tests on the car, all is well, ford said the problem simply is the fuel pump and yes, its on warranty.

[George]

Here's more:
I'm new and this is my first posting. I hope someone can assist me. I have a 2002 Thunderbird with the 3.9 litre engine. I'm trying to locate the fuel line. I have removed the black plastic cover that sits on the engine. I notice 2 lines connected to the right side of the throttle body. Are they the fuel lines? If so, which one is the input and which the return line to the tank?
There is a fuel line assy that goes from the fuel filter up to the fuel rail. The fuel line does not go to throtle body.
Todd: I don't believe there is a return line to the tank. Here is some info I found while searching to get you an answer:

"Also if you remember from the early days of these forums we found out that the T-Bird has two fuel pumps. The tank is shaped like a horse shoe hanging over the driveshaft with a pump in each side. One pumps from one side to the other and the other pump then pumps to the engine. No return line back to tank on these vehicles.
So that $750 estimate for a fuel pump could go up to almost double that. If I ever had to replace one I would replace both so I would not have to pay the labor all over again if the second pump fails within a few months of the first pump failing."

In addition I found some other interesting data we may need some day if you have a fuel filter problem:

"You must remove the the front left wheel ( driver side ). Then you will have to remove the rear section of the wheel well, which is held in place by 5 pins. The filter is easy to remove & replace once you get to this point."