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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Car won't start...

  • Thread starter Thread starter doobsstang
  • Start date Start date Apr 8, 2010

doobsstang

Member
Oct 4, 2005
92
1
6
Pembroke, NH
Apr 8, 2010
#1
  • Apr 8, 2010
  • #1
Done all the usual things. Plugs, plug wires, cleaned MAF, changed oil, and charged battery.

Had the car sitting outside covered during the winter. When I try to turn it over it starts for a few seconds with a rough idle and then dies. If I try to give it a little gas it dies right then. It started once and had a really rough idle and I was able to give it gas but wouldn't run for more than about 30 seconds.

Not sure what else to try. Any suggestions?
 

TrueBlue95GT

Member
Sep 29, 2003
966
0
16
Connecticut
Apr 8, 2010
#2
  • Apr 8, 2010
  • #2
any check engine light? Check for rotted vacuum lines. Try chaning the fuel filter.
 

Adam95GT

New Member
Aug 14, 2006
2,564
3
0
Burlington, NJ
Apr 8, 2010
#3
  • Apr 8, 2010
  • #3
Clean IAC and Maf.
 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 26, 2004
2,373
140
113
Foothill Ranch, CA
Apr 8, 2010
#4
  • Apr 8, 2010
  • #4
Did the rough start sound anything like this YouTube video?

YouTube - 1994 Mustang Cobra - First Engine Start

In this case, the car had bad gas in the tank and the PIP in the distributor had failed. To be honest, the bad gas was only a small part of the problem. The real issue was the PIP.
 

Black95GTS

Active Member
Jan 8, 2004
1,644
3
38
Marlborough, MA
Apr 8, 2010
#5
  • Apr 8, 2010
  • #5
Check fuel system. Can you hear the pump prime before you crank the engine over? Check alternator for correct voltage, should be around 14.4 at the unit.

Adam
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Apr 8, 2010
#6
  • Apr 8, 2010
  • #6
Look for static battery voltage to be about 12.6V if the car won't run.

When it cranks but won't start, have you checked fuel pressure, spark, and injector pulsing (in that order)?
 
9

95_red_gt

Member
Mar 3, 2010
33
0
6
Redmond, OR
Apr 11, 2010
#7
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #7
Since it sat for so long, I would guess that moisture got into the gas tank.
 

doobsstang

Member
Oct 4, 2005
92
1
6
Pembroke, NH
Apr 11, 2010
#8
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #8
I noticed I can't hear the fuel pump whirring when I turn the ignition to on without starting it. Would this mean the fuel pump is bad? I think the reason it wa trying to start earleir was becaus ethereal was still fuel in the lines. Now that the fuel lines are empty it won't start. It sounds like a bad fuel pump to me. What do you guys think?
 

alleymad95GT

Member
Jul 14, 2009
204
0
16
Okemos, Michigan
Apr 11, 2010
#9
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #9
You should definitely be able to hear the fuel pump when you turn the key to "on."

How to tell for sure if your fuel pump is out

1. Look at gas gauge
2. If full, then its the fuel pump

In all seriousness, it should make noise.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Apr 11, 2010
#10
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #10
To know if it's the fuel pump, you need to check the electrical side of it (you can have a full tank of gas, but no current reaching the pump).

If you have power reaching the pump, you need to check potential across the pump connector, and possibly do a pressure and volume test.
 

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
Apr 11, 2010
#11
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #11
This sounds like a PIP sensor failure to me as well. It does directly affect the fuel pump prime out. I had the same exact problem and almost ripped my fuel pump out but went ahead and changed the dizzy. Problem solved. If your distributor is original and the car has some miles on it you should replace it anyway or it WILL leave you on the side of the road if it's not the problem now.
 
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