I have a '97 Thunderbird. Upon turning the ignition key, the cooling fan begins to run and the car will not start, no matter what you try. After 5-7 minutes the cooling fan shuts off and the car will start. It will then run just fine, you can drive it for as long and as far as you want, no issues. You then shut the car off and when you try to start it again, the cooling fan turns on, the car will not start. Once the fan shuts off, the car will then start and once again you can drive it as far and as long as you want with no issues.

Anyone had a similar problem or any suggestions as to what might be causing this??

 

coolant temp sensor had one do this but it was backwards mine would run great until the fan kicked on then it would die fan shut off it would start an run great

 

Slight different outcome labc26 but I think you are leading to the cause. The ECU is or the Sensor is causing the engine to wait until the fan is off.

In a way your symptom is the same...the only difference is yours will die if the fan comes on. His don't just he can't start it until the fan is off. Another strange thing is I thought most ECU based cars start open loop until the Oxygen sensor reaches the right temperature to start producing the proper resistance and the ECU goes closed loop and starts looking at sensor signals. Strange indeed. Still I would shotgun the Temperature sensor that is governing the cooling fan.

 

Mine is doing this exact same thing. Replaced the coolant temp sensor over the thermostat. Still having problem. What other sensor should I try, or is there anything else to check.

 

First of all T- Birds have somewhat different features incorporated in the engine control systems compared to the other models. It would help if you gave the engine size .
Also, just to go and replace sensors without being sure if defective is a waste of your time and money. You might want to get a manual specific to your T- Bird and it will be a lot more helpful.

 

Engine is a 3.8 V6. Have both a Chilton and a Haynes manual, no help so far. I know replacing sensors without knowing if they are bad is a waste of time, but I'm stumped on this one.

 

I have a 1997 ford thunderbird it has a 4.6 motor, It too wont run untill the fan shuts off,could run 5 min or so. how to fix this problem. I was told to check the fuel regulator, is this true. Please help.

 

don't know about the fuel regulator causing this, but the coolant fan coming on when the engine is cold would suggest a problem with the PCM.
What happens if you disconnect the coolant fan, remove relay or try anything to prevent the coolant fan from coming on? Just a hunch, but worth a try.

 

I unpluged the fan to see if it would start, It wouldn't, Until i pluged it back in. Iam thinking its the PCM too. Can i get the PCM checked some how before buying another one? Or is there somthing else i could check.

 

Unfortunately , usually the last step after checking everything is to replace the PCM.