2000 Mercury Sable Hard to start

2000 MERCURY SABLE
130,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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DJBRASE
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After the car sits for 4-5 hours it will not start right away. Turn the key to start and it will turn over for awhile but will not start. Turn the ignition off and try again and usually it will start. If you turn the key to the on position for about 4 seconds and then turn it off two or three times this sometimes helps. checked fuel rail pressure and it is ok.
It makes it very hard to start in the cold weather if you don't get it started on the first or second try.
Once the car starts it runs fine. Once in awhile it will start chugging like its loosing power going up a slight grade. It will stop if you give it more gas.
Any suggestions?
Dec 16, 2008 at 12:16 PM
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BMRFIXIT
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Do you get check engine light ON
check for codes
make sure u check the fuel pressure using a pressure gauge
scanning for codes and checking it for tune up would be my 1st step
Dec 17, 2008 at 6:06 AM
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DJBRASE
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No the check engine light is not on.
And when we checked the fuel rail it did have the correct pressure.
I also changed the plugs about 6 months ago.
I hooked up a scan tool and no errors are present.
Dec 17, 2008 at 10:06 AM
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BMRFIXIT
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With out codes
it boils down to bunch of a check list until u come up with the fault

check idle air control valve remove and clean and or replace
check ignition system (if coil have good ark and spark when cold )
check exhaust system and catalytic converters
check injector pulse
Dec 17, 2008 at 3:17 PM