Help! My car will not start

[serviator]

My car was recently at the body shop for a complete repaint job and the manager called me while it was there telling me that the car wouldn't start. He checked the fuses and pushed on something in the engine compartment which is supposed to spout fuel out while the ignition is turned, however no fuel came out. He proceeded to replace the fuel pump (in the trunk?!) but it still wouldn't start.

The next day it started up fine again, and he took it to their dealership for diagnostics, however since it didn't show any problems he said the ODB-II computer didn't display any trouble code and also didn't have any record of it.

I got the car back a few days ago, and now it will not start up again. It only has 23.000 miles on it and I do have a Predator tune installed (currently only with the gear ration changed).

Can anybody help me out? I don't want to take it to the garage since it just got a complete paint job. At the same time, my mechanical skills are somewhat limited, so I may need more than abbreviated explanations.

Thanks for any help!

 

[hotdog71]

What is happening when you turn the key on does the car tunr over or is it dead?

 

[serviator]

It turns over and I have checked both the fuel pump reset switch (which is already depressed, so I can't push it) and fuel pump fuse.

I also checked for the pressure sound in the fuel tank and I didn't hear anything when the ignition was turned to "on".

 

[merc123]

The thing he was probably pressing was the schrader valve under the hood. That simply vents the fuel line.

What's it sound like when it turns over? Is it struggling or does it run like normal just not fire off?

 

[serviator]

It sounds normal when I turn the ignition, no struggling turning the starter at all.

I recall the manager told me that it seemed like it wasn't pumping fuel at all, which is why he changed the fuel pump and he also didn't see fuel coming out the schrader valve.

Also when I did the test of the fuel tank pressure noise, it didn't occur. It makes me think it would be fuel related!?

 

[4.6andSlicks]

"He replaced the fuel pump in the trunk" makes me suspicious. Did he pull the fuel tank and actually replace the pump? If not, I'm thinking it's the pump.

 

[mrvax]

"He replaced the fuel pump in the trunk" makes me suspicious. Did he pull the fuel tank and actually replace the pump? If not, I'm thinking it's the pump.

I agree. See if the bastid dropped the tank. Check your recipt.

 

[hotstang_46]

I just went through something similair to you....and it was my fuel pump...by process of elimination...fuses, fuel switch....etc etc.....The bottom line was, with my ear near the fuel filler hose with the gas cap off, while a friend turned on the ignition i could hear nothing(no whirring sound". So i replaced my "in tank" fuel filter by dropping the gas tank. I'm somewhat limited mechanically as you are, but it sounds strange to me that it did not work...then it did work...and now it's not working again...can't imagine a new pump a couple days old would go bad that quickly, maybe some others can help.....good luck man!

 

[SXYXC]

the only thing i can possibly think of that would cause that. How are your keys, becasue the same thing will happen if the chip in the key has fallen out, or has been moved to much. part of the security system, but if you know its not the key try the pump

 

[serviator]

What he told me was that he replaced the fuel pump in the trunk, but it sounds like you guys are saying there's more to replacing a fuel pump than just replacing the piece you can access from the trunk? Would you actually have to lower the gas tank to replace the fuel pump?

I didn't get charged for it, so I don't have a receipt, but I can call and ask him tomorrow what he actually changed if that helps.

 

[serviator]

I talked to the manager - this time he said he did NOT replace the fuel pump. I'm thinking this is probably the culprit. I checked on how to replace it, and it looks beyond my mechanical skill set, so unfortunately I may have to have it towed to a shop .

Thanks for all your help and leading me in the right direction.

(SXYXC - I did try my replacement key too to eliminate any possibilities, with no luck)

 

[serviator]

I called the owner (mechanic) of a garage. He said it didn't sound like the fuel pump if it starts up randomly once in awhile (e.g. it will start the next day).

I just went out and cranked it again and the car started up. I went for a drive to charge the battery, and when I came home I turned it off. When I turned it back on it ran rough. The engine was shaking and I am pretty sure not all 8 cylinders were firing.

Another change I noticed was that when the car wouldn't start and I had the ignition in the "on" position just before cranking, all the gage needles went all the way to the right, where as just before it would start in the same position the needles went to their normal middle positions (excluding RPM and speed which didn't move).

Could this be something entire different?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

When you see the guages sweep like that it usually means the computer has been reset by disconnecting the battery.

I think your problem is the PCM or CCRM. You need to take it to a Ford dealership and get it checked out for sure.

 

[serviator]

Thanks again for the leads! I have already called the closest dealer and made an appointment for Monday, so I'm hoping they can find it. Since it's a random issue, it may be tough to troubleshoot.

 

[merc123]

Best thing you can do.

 

[4.6andSlicks]

Any word on the cause?

 

[four six]

Any word on the cause?

+1

 

[serviator]

Not yet. I had it towed yesterday and they are looking at it today.

I will update with news when I know more - probably this afternoon or tomorrow.

 

[blckstng96]

Did you have any welding done while the car was in the shop? if the battery wasnt disconnected then you can destroy the computer.

 

[serviator]

I didn't have any welding done. They just painted the whole car. Good idea though.

They called me from the dealership telling me they wouldn't be able to look at it until tomorrow. I'm wondering why they make appointments, as I made one for Tuesday and now they are not getting to it until Thursday.