03 STR Slow Starts... Fuel pump, or Driver Control Module?
 

How do I know if it is the Fuel Pump or the Fuel pump Driver Control?

My engine turns over just fine (battery and Starter are ok), but sometimes it turns over and over and no start. I will let it sit for a min and then starts... Im thinking is the Fuel pump. But the R models also have a Fuel Pump Driver Control, so how do I know which one is it?

This problem started a while ago, somethimes or most of the time, it starts ok, but every now and then it takes a few tries before it starts. I want to get this fix, but I dont know where either one of these are located. The fuel pump is probably in the Fuel Tank, but can anyone tell me how to get to it?

And where is the Driver control module? Can it be bypass it?

By the way: The Fuel filter only has 8000 miles...

Thanks,
JG

I would start first with the fuel filter before I would concern myself with the pump/control.

Your problem sounds more electrical than fuel.

Maybe measure the fuel pressure (OBD will do it). If it's OK you're looking in the wrong place.

The Fuel filter only has 8000 miles...

mystype04: You say that the car will eventually start. How does it run then? If the car runs fine after starting I doubt that there is anything wrong with either the fuel pump or the filter, if there was the car would run badly. As I am new the the S-type I do not have a specific recommendation, but the condition you describe is a classic cold start problem. Older fuel injection systems had a cold start device that enrichens the fuel mixture for a few seconds to get things going. Your crank, crank, cranking away is doing the the same thing.

If you haven't yet downloaded the JTIS you should do so. Below are pdfs of the diagnostics of the 3.0 and 4.2 L engines that I took from my JTIS. I added the 3.0 version because it has more diagnostic procedures in plain English(ex."engine cranks but won't start").

It appears that for cold starts there is no separate device as there was on the old fuel injection systems (Bosch J-tronic - ancient history) that I am familiar with, but the ECM must vary fuel delivery to the injectors for cold starts as a function of coolant temperature, throttle position and so on.

How many miles on the car??

I would measure the fuel output but be aware that the STR uses dual fuel pumps which are different from all other S Types. They have been quoted from the dealer at $1100 each!!
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