• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SVT Tech Forum

1996 Cobra-- Cranks but won't start

  • Thread starter Thread starter squeak93
  • Start date Start date Nov 27, 2011

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,278
368
164
Joplin, Missouri
Nov 27, 2011
#1
  • Nov 27, 2011
  • #1
As stated: 1996 Cobra, cranks, fired one time and sounded terrible for 1/2 a second. Then nothing. Just cranks.

I just bought the car, the PO thought the engine was blew (said a compression check said #5 had low compression) but even with that, the engine should still run, so there is another issue. From what I understand 3-4 years ago when it broke he was a bit tipsy and was doing donuts in a field when it died. He had replaced the fuel filter and that's about all the I know. We went in today and put new plugs in it and hooked everything back up as well as a new belt and battery.

From what I can tell nothing has come unplugged, the fuel safety switch in the trk (what ever that thing is called) is not tripped. It has 35-45lbs of fp when cranking at the rail. So we have fuel.

It has air unless the maf is dead... not as likely as the below.

My only guess is a bad coil pack or multiple bad wires. Any thoughts?

I have not hooked a obdII scanner up to it yet but I would think since the battery was left dead for so long that any prior codes would no longer be there.
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Nov 29, 2011
#2
  • Nov 29, 2011
  • #2
Does is make normal "chug chug" sounds while cranking?

What happens if the MAF is electrically disconnected? Does it start?

What happens if the throttle is held half way open during cranking? Does it start?

Can your ODB2 scanner monitor opperational data? If so, monitor RPM's while cranking. Do they change? If not, suspect a CKP sensor problem.

Have you tested for spark? Have you double checked the spark plug wire routing? Remember if installed incorrectly, the wires will spark but at the wrong time.
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,278
368
164
Joplin, Missouri
Dec 4, 2011
#3
  • Dec 4, 2011
  • #3
It does make the "normal" cranking sounds. I've not had much time to work with it. Next weekend we'll put a scan tool on it to see if any immediate codes are thrown as well as check for spark. The wires are correct according to the diagrams I've found. If anyone has a "reliable" diagram that would make me feel better. One time We tore a pi motor about 1/2 way down because the plug diagram we found on autozones web side was 100% incorrect. (live and learn)
 
M

mach1yellow

New Member
Dec 8, 2011
8
0
1
Dec 9, 2011
#4
  • Dec 9, 2011
  • #4
did you get your issue resolved for the crank but no start?
 

2vNotch

Active Member
Dec 6, 2011
519
21
29
Rogers, AR
Dec 9, 2011
#5
  • Dec 9, 2011
  • #5
sounds like it could be either mechanical or electrical at this point....as long as u have fuel, fire, and backpressure it oughtta start...is it catted? if so they could be clogged ???
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,278
368
164
Joplin, Missouri
Dec 9, 2011
#6
  • Dec 9, 2011
  • #6
the car has not started yet but then again ive not worked on it.
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,278
368
164
Joplin, Missouri
Dec 11, 2011
#7
  • Dec 11, 2011
  • #7
UPDATE:

The car started but runs rough. It ONLY starts when u put the throttle to the floor. Then you have to help it idle until it warms up. It will settle down and idle, does better w/o the maf plugged in. I had a scan tool on it and the maf registered voltage, o2's read, tps read, iac read, all of it appeared to be normal. We also swapped in a known working set of coil packs to eliminate that. The only item left to try is a set of new plug wires. I ordered a set that will be here tomorrow (seems no parts stores stock wires for a cobra in the area).


There is VERY old fuel in it, I've ran a bottle of heet into it but fear I may have to pull the tank to drain it (can't get a siphon hose down it to do it the lazy way). If the wires don't fix it, I'll have to drop the tank. Not sure I'll have the energy to do that any time before xmas.


Anyone else with any suggestions?
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,278
368
164
Joplin, Missouri
Dec 17, 2011
#8
  • Dec 17, 2011
  • #8
Update:

I rid the car of the old gas, put new 91 in and same issues. So, I pulled the plugs again and here is what I found. Left bank (d/s), ALL 4 plugs were perfectly clean like they never fired one time. Right bank (p/s) all 4 plugs were covered in carbon.

So, since I know that when I had a scan tool on it, I the computer read the rpm's, I'm assuming the crank sensor is ok and I am leaning towards the CAM sensor as to being my issue.

Anyone have any other ideas.

as a reminder, the plugs, wires and coil packs are all new (coil packs are used but taken off of a running car).
 
C

courtneb

New Member
Jan 6, 2012
5
0
1
Jan 6, 2012
#9
  • Jan 6, 2012
  • #9
squeak93 said:
Update:

I rid the car of the old gas, put new 91 in and same issues. So, I pulled the plugs again and here is what I found. Left bank (d/s), ALL 4 plugs were perfectly clean like they never fired one time. Right bank (p/s) all 4 plugs were covered in carbon.

So, since I know that when I had a scan tool on it, I the computer read the rpm's, I'm assuming the crank sensor is ok and I am leaning towards the CAM sensor as to being my issue.

Anyone have any other ideas.

as a reminder, the plugs, wires and coil packs are all new (coil packs are used but taken off of a running car).
Click to expand...

Dude, check your knock sensor at the bottom front of the engine; if it gets damaged or comes unplugged, the car will turn over but it wont start. Also check the inertia switch (fuel shut off) in the trunk make sure the button didn't pop on you. Good luck!
 
2

2 Foxes

New Member
Sep 8, 2009
24
0
1
Jan 7, 2012
#10
  • Jan 7, 2012
  • #10
Did you get a code for cylinders 5-8 misfiring?
have you pulled the cam cover to verify no broken chains ?
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,278
368
164
Joplin, Missouri
Jan 16, 2012
#11
  • Jan 16, 2012
  • #11
I guess I should update this. I ended up pulling the engine cause nothing was making sense... I also made the mistake of taking the po's word for the compression test. Let me explain lol. I pulled the d/s cam cover to find all 8 follower randomly laying around... No broken/ loose chains. So I tore it all the way down to find all 8 intake valves on the ds head were smashed into the casting and jammed open. So I'm picking up a junk yard aviator motor (c headed) this weekend and will start that swap here soon.
 
Reactions: NightryderBSG
N

NightryderBSG

New Member
Jul 21, 2020
1
0
1
Lakeland, FL
Jul 21, 2020
#12
  • Jul 21, 2020
  • #12
squeak93 said:
I guess I should update this. I ended up pulling the engine cause nothing was making sense... I also made the mistake of taking the po's word for the compression test. Let me explain lol. I pulled the d/s cam cover to find all 8 follower randomly laying around... No broken/ loose chains. So I tore it all the way down to find all 8 intake valves on the ds head were smashed into the casting and jammed open. So I'm picking up a junk yard aviator motor (c headed) this weekend and will start that swap here soon.
Click to expand...
How did this end? I am having the exact same problem. Replaced the spark plugs because they were fouled, all 8. Replaced IAC. Car started perfectly. Let it run a minute and switched it back off. Tried to start it again and I was back to the same issue, continually cranking but not starting unless I floored the gas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
1987 5.0 speed density Foxbody crank no start
  • Alan2204
  • May 23, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
309
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 30, 2026
Mcmahst
L
Engine Why won't the motor start if I have spark and fuel
  • LeviAnderson
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
423
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 20, 2025
AeroCoupe
T
Help with a 95 5L crank no start
  • TheBubbaJoe
  • Nov 4, 2025
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
3
Views
451
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Nov 5, 2025
AeroCoupe
T
2001 GT 4.6 V8 weak crank no start.
  • The-Bamboo-Farmer
  • Nov 12, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
188
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Nov 13, 2025
The-Bamboo-Farmer
T
Hard to start when engine is cold
  • 86_Capri
  • Mar 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
32
Views
987
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 21, 2026
CAMTWO1070
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SVT Tech Forum
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?