# Help please! 2003 Ford Crown Victoria wont start! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** crownvictoria, ford\ **Created:** [July 7, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-please-2003-ford-crown-victoria-wont-start/120550 "2018-07-07T15:27:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TaylorV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@TaylorV](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorV)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-please-2003-ford-crown-victoria-wont-start/120550/1 "2018-07-07T15:27:02Z")
My 2003 crown Victoria will randomly not start. By not starting, I mean that I have power to lights, windows, etc and when I turn the key it goes on temporarily, for about 1-2 seconds, and then shuts off. If I crank the engine and hold the accelerator giving a steady amount of gas the car will stay on but once I remove the gas it shuts off. This has happened about 4 times now and every time it has happened I just let it sit with the key out for about 10-15 minutes and the car starts up no problem. Any ideas what could be wrong? The car has a new alternator and the battery was checked and is at 100%. Thanks in advance for your time. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-please-2003-ford-crown-victoria-wont-start/120550/2 "2018-07-07T15:53:01Z")
The problem is most likely with the Idle Air Control valve. [https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,2003,crown+victoria,4.6l+v8,1410567,fuel+&+air,idle+air+control+(iac)+valve,6072](https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,2003,crown+victoria,4.6l+v8,1410567,fuel+&+air,idle+air+control+(iac)+valve,6072) The IAC valve allows the engine to idle anytime the accelerator pedal is released. One way to determine if there’s a problem with the IAC valve is, the engine doesn’t stall as long as the accelerator pedal is depressed. Tester ---
**Author:** ![TaylorV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@TaylorV](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorV)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-please-2003-ford-crown-victoria-wont-start/120550/3 "2018-07-07T16:54:06Z")
If that was the issue would the car normally start most of the time? I am able to start the car 100+ times before i have this issue happen. Also, how do I test if the IAC is bad? You say make sure the pedal is depressed and if it does not stall then it should be okay? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-please-2003-ford-crown-victoria-wont-start/120550/4 "2018-07-07T17:10:58Z")
Locate the IAC valve on the throttle body. Start the engine and let it warm up. Take the handle of a screwdriver and rap on the IAC valve. If the engine idle speed changes, replace the IAC valve. Tester ---
**Author:** ![TaylorV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@TaylorV](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorV)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-please-2003-ford-crown-victoria-wont-start/120550/5 "2018-07-07T17:43:56Z")
Ok thank you. I will try this out soon and get back to you ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-please-2003-ford-crown-victoria-wont-start/120550/6 "2018-07-08T19:29:23Z")
Checking fuel pressure while in failure mode will rule out a bad pump. My experience for whatever reason with fords of this era, pumps fail while the engine is hot, let it cool and starts right up.