Car won't start.....Help!!

Fuel pressure.....

jmd2914 said:

Ok, I was sitting at a buddy's house, and my car was idleing for about twenty minutes while we were talking, and all of a sudden it just died. i thought it flooded so i let it sit there and then tryed to start it and nothing. it will try and start but it wont. i dont think im getting any spark but im not sure if thats it, i have gas in the car so that cant be it. so if anyone has any ideas, post them.

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Sounds like the fuel pump went bad to me. You say it "tries" to start? Please explain in more detail by what you mean "tries". Does it sound like its gonna fire up and then doesn't?

Get a fuel pressure gauge on the rail, turn the key on in ignition position and see what fuel pressure you have....then get back to me.

Fuel pump or distributor

you could try to search for similar posts; put in jrichker as the user name because he has a very helpful, systematic and extensive list to help track down the culpret.

I will try to help by asking the following:

Can you hear the fuel pump prime for about 3-5 sec when you turn the key to the run position?

If you push the shrader valve on the fuel rail (towards the front of the passenger side valve cover), do you get fuel (put a rag over the valve and use a screwdriver to gently press the thing in). If gas comes out, you're getting fuel.

You need to check for spark. Take a pair of insulated pliars and hold the end of the coil wire that goes on the distributer cap about 1/4 away from something metal. Do you see the spark jump? If not, you may have spark issues. If so, try the same w/ the wires that go to the spark plugs.

let it cool off and then see if it starts. if so, i would take the TFI in for a bench test.

good luck.

HISSIN50 said:

let it cool off and then see if it starts. if so, i would take the TFI in for a bench test.

good luck.

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Yeah, if your not getting spark that would be the first place to check. You will need to get a special tool to get the ignition module off the distributor. Its cheap though. They can test those modules at Autozone.....maybe Checker, but I am not sure. Hope you get it fixed

Cranks OK, but No Start Checklist for Fuel Injected Mustangs

1.) Remove push on connector from starter solenoid and turn ignition switch on. Place car in neutral or Park. Remove coil wire from distributor & and hold 3/8” away from engine block. Jumper the screw to the big bolt on the starter solenoid that has the battery wire connected to it. You should get a nice fat blue spark.
Most of the items are electrical in nature, so a test light, or even better, a voltmeter, is helpful to be sure they have power to them.
No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) MSD or Crane ignition box if so equipped
B.) Coil
C.) TFI module
D.) PIP sensor in distributor
E.) ECC relay next to computer - look for 12 volts at the fuel injector red wires
F.) Fuse links in wiring harness - look for 12 volts at the fuel injector red wires. All the fuse links live in a bundle up near the starter solenoid.
G.) Ignition switch - look for 12 volts at the ignition coil red/lt green wire.
H.) Computer

See the following links for wiring diagrams...

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/16/71/3c/0900823d8016713c.jsp for 79-88 model cars

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/19/59/5a/0900823d8019595a.jsp for 89-93 model cars

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1d/db/3c/0900823d801ddb3c.jsp for 94-98 model cars


2.) Spark at coil wire, pull #1 plug wire off at the spark plug and check to see spark. No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Moisture inside distributor – remove cap, dry off & spray with WD40
B.) Distributor cap
C.) Rotor
D.) Spark Plug wires
E.) Coil weak or intermittent - you should see 3/8" fat blue spark with a good coil

3.) Spark at spark plug, but no start.
Next, get a can of starting fluid (ether) from your local auto parts store: costs a $1.30 or so. Then pull the air duct off at the throttle body elbow, open the throttle, and spray the ether in it. Reconnect the air duct and try to start the car. Do not try to start the car without reconnecting the air duct.
Two reasons:
1.) If it backfires, the chance for a serious fire is increased.
2.) On Mass Air cars, the computer needs to measure the MAF flow once the engine starts.
If it starts then, you have a fuel management issue. Continue the checklist with emphasis of fuel related items that follow. If it doesn’t, then it is a computer or timing issue: see Step 4.

Clue – listen for the fuel pump to prime when you first turn the ignition switch on. It should run for 5-20 seconds and shut off. To trick the fuel pump into running, find the ECC test connector and jump the connector in the lower RH corner to ground. See http://www.mustangworks.com/article...c-iv_codes.html for a description of the test connector. If the relay & inertia switch are OK, you will have power to the pump. Check fuel pressure – remove the cap from the schrader valve behind the alternator and depress the core. Fuel should squirt out, catch it in a rag. Beware of fire hazard when you do this. In pinch you can use a tire pressure gauge to measure the fuel pressure. It may not be completely accurate, but you will have some clue as to how much pressure you have.

No fuel pressure, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Tripped inertia switch – Coupe & hatch cars hide it under the plastic trim covering the driver's side taillight. Use the voltmeter or test light to make sure you have power to both sides of the switch
B.) Fuel pump power relay – located under the driver’s seat in most stangs built before 92. On 92 and later model cars it is located below the Mass Air Flow meter. Look for 12 volts at the Pink/Black wire on the fuel pump relay.
C.) Clogged fuel filter
D.) Failed fuel pump
E.) Blown fuse link in wiring harness. Look for 12 volts at the Orange/Lt Blue wire on the fuel pump relay. The fuse links live in the wiring harness near the starter solenoid.
F.) Fuel pressure regulator failed. Remove vacuum line from regulator and inspect for fuel escaping while pump is running.

Fuel pressure OK, the injectors are not firing.

A.) A Noid light available from Autozone, is one way to test the injector wiring.
B.) I like to use an old injector with compressed air applied to the injector where the fuel rail would normally connect. I hook the whole thing up, apply compressed air to the injector and stick it in a paper cup of soapy water. When the engine cranks with the ignition switch on, if the injector fires, it makes bubbles. Cheap if you have the stuff laying around, and works good too.

a.) Pull an injector wire connector off and look for 12 volts on the red wire when the ignition switch is on.
b.) No power, then look for problems with the 10 pin connecter (salt & pepper shakers at the rear of the upper manifold).
c.) No power and the 10 pin connections are good: look for broken wiring between the orange/black wire on the ECC relay and the red wire for the 10 pin connectors.


4.) Spark & fuel pressure OK.

A.) Failed IAB (no airflow to start engine). Press the throttle ¼ way down and try to start the car.
B.) Failed computer (not very likely)
C.) Engine ignition or cam timing off: only likely if the engine has been worked on recently).
D.) Firing order off: HO & 351 use a different firing order from the non HO engines.
HO & 351W 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Non HO 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

jmd2914 said:

ok cool, thanks man, i think i have my work cut out for me, so i'll post back if i have more questions.....on that note, what is a TFI? ( i know its dumb but im a rookie when it comes to electrical work)

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TFI = Thick Film Ignition. it is used to help advance or retard timing. if it goes south, no sparkie. it is the grey dealie with all the wires coming out of it, located on the side of the dizzy (distributor).