Trouble with this type of fault it could be several things. Try your local library for a workshop manual some have the Haines manuals to lend but you only need to take notes from the faults page on engine section and ignition fault section pop down with pencil and paper.
You can get the same faults listing from most Ford size petrol engine cars as it's usually the same or similar fault. Differs a bit with fuel injection cars.
To eliminate unecessary costs phone up car spares shops for an in line plug lead tester. it's a tester that fits on the plug end of the lead and onto the plug. It has a clear section showing the spark if everything is ok. If one of your plug leads is breaking down that's a possible cause of difficult starting, it could also be the coil lead or coil itself. if its an ignition module, [all plug and coil leads go to this block] these very very rarely breakdown and are expensive to replace. They cannot be tested, but you can still replace the leads.
if you got a digi camera take a picy of the module and distributor to shop that way is better than trying to describe to the car shop hwhat you want and make sure year and engine size are noted so you get right parts.
Test it with this tester and note an discrepancy[if any] of the spark. ie: weak, strong, weak. note which lead.
Strong spark but still sounding rough think about plug. remove and clean it with fine wire brush. Watch it it'll be hot.
Do this on each plug.
Now run it untill you end up with the start problem. Don't start it running try it as soon as the problem starts carry out the same test again but exclude for now plug cleaning.
Now if the problem shows on any of the leads again change them all [5] four plug leads and one coil lead as a full set.
DO NOT REMOVE THEM ALL AT ONCE YOU ARE BOUND TO MIX UP THE TIMING.
Remove and replace with new ones each of the plug leads ONE AT A TIME.
Then replace the coil lead.
Run it and see what happens. still a problem then replace the plugs. cured then ok. still persists then refer to the book on engine faults.....and or ignition faults.
Rob
February 2006
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