i hate these threads but...

O2 sensors, clean ur MAF GOOD, TFI module? could be a number of things....

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/articles/electronics/eec-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
E.) No start when hot - Press the throttle to the floor & try starting it if you get this far. If it starts, replace the ECT.

Did you try to start it again? It is not that uncommon for this to happen to a car that's been sitting awhile. Junk builds up everywhere imaginable, especially if the car sits outside. The fuel filter could have something in it, there could be condensation, or as stated, your mass air sensor or idle air controller could be dirty. Try cleaning those. If the car starts but will not hold idle, try revving it a little (not WOT) to clean everything out.

I know you said you smelled fuel but did you hear the pump priming when you turned the key on without starting it?

somthign simialr to this happened to me and it turned out to be a fuel pump. is the pump louder then ussual? Somtimes that can be a sign its on its way out.

Hows your IAC? If its getting fuel, all it needs is air and spark.

mine did this but only sit for one night, someone put water in my tank.

try letting the pump prime it a few times, after its been sitting the pressure goes down and it takes priming it about 3-4 times for the pressure to get back to normal.

I just started my car 2 days ago after it sitting since mid october. When I went to start it, it would crank but showed no signs of firing. I smelt fuel after a while. Turns out my TFI mysteriously went bad. Put a new one in and it fired right up.

bad gas?

I would clean maf, make sure its got fuel pressure, the pump is priming, check inertia switch if pump isnt priming etc....if the injectors are firing I doubt its the tfi since that controls them.....Look at the plugs to help see whats going on too

Roadblock said:

yeah everything sounds liek it should have worked the pump primed and all...just didnt start when it did idled it was reallly choppy and if we gave it gas it died asap

Click to expand...

To me that sounds like you are running lean. I would check the fuel pump, do a pressure AND a volume check, also maybe your fuel filter is mega clogged . Keep in mind that I could be totally wrong

Even though you smelled gas, I would confirm that the injectors are firing. They receive key-on 12 volts and the computer controls the ground to them. A noid light works for this testing.

The guys' Fuel pressure confirmation idea is good.

I like the ISC/IAC idea. On a SD car, you can remove a small manifold vac-line on something unimportant to assist a weak ISC. I dont know what kind of effect that has on a MAF car though.

Have you tried carefully using starting fluid, etc to see if it wants to run for more than a split second(dont use much - that stuff is hard on the motor)?

Random thoughts in the wee hours.
Good luck.