Check Advancetrac Message/Hard Starting

[stanka]

I have a 2002 LSE and I'm having an issue where the Advancetrac message, ABS and Brake light are constantly on. What would be causing this? Can it be a wheel sensor? If so, how do I figure out which sensor is bad?

Also, I'm having an issue with the car starting hard. It takes about 4-5 seconds before the car will start. Any ideas on this issue would be helpful.

Steve

 

[Osaín]

I don't know about the first two, but I believe the hard start may be due to a leaky fuel injector. On the first start of the day, mine would do fine, but later on it would take 4-5 seconds to start, stubmble and then blow out smoke (un-burned fuel). It took 3 different dealers to figure that out. Hope that helps.:biggrin:

 

[lseguy]

Long shot..but are you 100% your battery/charging system are all in top notch condition? Before I checked my alternator/replaced it, I was getting a random ABS/Advancetrac warning light...and the car took a bit longer to start the last few times before the replacement of the alternator. A random low voltage situation can cause a LOT of weird error messages/warning lights.

I too have a 2002 V8 LSE...66,000 miles

 

[ToddG]

The first issue sounds like a wheel sensor. These sensors are known for malfunctioning under certain conditions. I believe its impossible to tell which one is bad, but the dealer could tell you for sure and fix it.

 

[black_lincoln]

alternator... i just had those lights on and my alternator was shot. do you have an aftermarket stereo system? i do and it killed mine. take it to autozone or advance autoparts to get it checked out for free.. did you ever see it do a full sweep with all the guages? mine did.. just another symptom. get it checked out.

 

[2001LS8Sport]

Good points on the alternator. I wouldn't have guessed that could cause ABS issues. But as far as hard starting goes, if it starts right the first thing in the morning, but has issues after it's warm and sits for an hour or so, I'll bet the farm on an injector leaking. I actually pulled the fuel rail out of mine and rigged up a gauge set up that would allow me to isolate the fuel injectors. I actually could see the injector leak. I just replaced them all and the car has never had a starting issue since.

 

[lseguy]

Good points 2001 LS8 Sport.

It's also quite possible that it's not just ONE problem causing the issues.
Cheapest thing to do at this point is for him to drop by advance or Autozone or wherever does a free electrical check for him..have them put the equipment on the battery, and give the charging system a quick check. If all is fine, he can rule that out and move to the next step.

 

[beaups]

it will be the alternator or battery.