If I can make it to Cat Jam this year I need to get my car started. It will not start.
The following work has been done:
DIst. cap, Wires, Plugs, TFI module, Fuel filter and pump. There is spark at the plugs and we think there is also fuel getting to the engine. The battery's brand new. The timing has been reset from top dead center. The engine turns over but it does not start.
That's about where it's at. Does anyone have any advice on whatever the problem could be?
BTW, The engine is a 5.0.
Does it make any attempt to start? have you checked your fuel pressure? did it just up and die or did it gradually get worse or have you done any mods to it recently?
It seems to try to start but it just doesn't quit want to go all the way. I have not checked the fuel pressure. Also the car's been sitting for years and I don't know how it ran before that.
You could try giving it a shot of gas down the intake and see if that helps it, if it does then its not getting enough fuel, not likely though considering whats been replaced, plug wires in the right places? no mouse nests in your intake or exhaust?
if ur just getting the turn over noise with no ignition but still getting a spark check your fuel pump... before the set up i have now i went through atleast 3 with my t-birds...
Alex, pull a few plugs after it's cranking, see if they're wet from fuel. If so I think you have to concentrate on the spark aspect. Make sure they're the right plugs with the correct gap (.048-.052). I guess if the only thing that hasn't been replaced is the ignition coil, may as well get a new one of those too.
It is also possible that the distributor has a bad pickup, or that the oil pump isn't working. You could pull a valve cover and try starting the motor, see if the oil is pumping up to the rockers.
It's possible the injectors are stuck if it hasn't run for a while. Try the shot of gas and see if it fires. If it does fire and run for a few seconds then something is amok with the fuel system. If not, then it's spark.
If it's fuel and you've done pump and filter, try tapping on the injectors a little. I've had to do thath before to a couple cars that have sat with everything else new in the fuel system. Check the FPR.
If it's spark, as Eric said, try the coil. You might be getting spark, but it might be weak.
Not that it helps, but this doesn't sound like a car I'd be comfortable taking a long trip in...
I'm with the guys suggesting fuel pump. Get a gauge at Autozone for $35 and test it.
We were all young and foolish once, Tom...the warnings went unheeded, believe me. ;)
So CAA has FREE UNLIMITED towing???
Wait a minute! WHEN did you get a 5.0L?!?!?! You've been holding out on me! Make sure the timming is correct., check the fuel pump relay, also make sure you didn't accidentaly unplug the round ground plug by the battery when you switched batteries.
See pic.
Just an update. The fuel pump kicks on, and hums. It's new.
When we pulled the 1 plug to reset the timing after cranking it, it was wet. I'm not sure we're getting ENOUGH gas to the cylinders, but it's possible we are. There is only 2 gallons in the tank.
We'll try the shot of starter fluid down the intake today and see if it fires. If it does, we'll try tapping the injectors and possibly getting a fuel pressure regulator and tester.
We'll keep everyone updated. If you have any other suggestions, we're open to it.
It's a long shot, but worth a look. Check the air filter. Had one car that sat a couple years, it too refused to start. Seems a couple generations of field mice built homes from the filter. When i tried crankin it the whole condo plugged the intake tube.
since nobody hit this one...... how many miles does this car have? very possible that you spun the plastic teeth off of the timing gears causing it to jump time. if nothing else works that would be what I would put my money on.
That's weird. I've never had a 5.0 with plastic timing gears.:dunno:
thats what i had in mine... pos plastic gear... :D replaced with a nice double roller coyles one
Well after running out of time and Ideas, the car has been taken to the Ford dealer. Let's hope they don't rape me TOO much in the ass.
;)
So...exactly what is your definition of "too much ass-raping"?
In my book any ass rapage is to much. As for the plastic gears I've seen cloyes sets that the gears are basically hardend card board. Those where for the old chevy 250 I-6. That one blew my mind.
OK, I have a feeling they will no use lube before the raping
Well, mine is ANY!
Just as an update.. they THINK it's the ignition switch so they've ordered it. should be in late tomorrow let's just hope it is so I don't get any further delays and I can actually make it to Cat Jam.
Just an ignition switch? That should only cost you about $500 or so. Hah, just kidding. They charged my mom about $250 to replace the ignition cylinder in her '00 Focus, so I'm guessing around that area. Unless the ignition switch costs a LOT.
In my Cougar, it was just a case of rotten gas. Shot down the intake got it fired, that told us enough, we just pumped the tank somewhat dry and added new. Mine sat for 15 years.
:eek: Holy S$#t! Are we talking about the switch under the steering column cover?? If so, http://www.50resto.com has em for like 12.95. The ignition cylinders aren't much more. That's the kinda that makes me a do it yourself kinda guy.
My mom's car has a sentry-key kinda thing. Plus, she didn't wanna wait for me to fix it, if that's what you're talking about.
Yeah, ignition switches are a bitch to change. Lets pull the wheel, that's fun. Either way, if we could have diagnosed that, we would have fixed it, but we didn't.
, I never realized you had to pull the wheel to change the ign switch.
only takes 5 mins to pull a wheel unless theres an airbag involved
are you talking about pulling the wheel to change it in a cougar/bird? didnt have to in my TC
It's under the column covers, guys, not the steering wheel.
This is the fun part. Guessing whether you got a mechanic that's guessing and throwing parts at it, or if he actaully did a full diagnosis.
If it were me, he'd be wrong, and he'd replace 4 or 5 more parts at my cost and tell me it needed everything. I'd walk out with a bill of $1275, because most modern mechanics seem to skip the whole "diagnostics" part of diagnostics. LOL
I sincerely hope it turns out well for you.
--Ed
After using the searh button, I feel the need to bring this back to life.
I am replacing my ignition switch soon, for a number for reasons.
Sounds like what it was doing before I replaced the timing chain. Granted the chain looked a bit worn, but after reading this.. I think I wana try to change the switch. From what I've seen here so far, the ignition switch and lock cylinder is under the cover on the coloum. But what all is really involved in changing one?
The key tumbler and the ignition switch are changed easily without removing the steering wheel.Just the plastic column cover pieces.They can both be changed in about 15 minutes if you take your time.
remove the plastic covers, turn your key to on and locate and push the release button. there will be a hole on the underside of the housing where you should be able to poke the button just look for it.
1 problem.. I don't have the old keys
That's the procedure for removing the lock cylinder, which is
not the ignition switch.
The ignition switch resides lower in the column, and is held in by two Torx (tamper-proof?) bolts.
It's been years since I've done one, so I can't provide any more information than that.
I just wanted to make sure you knew which one was which, since there always seems to be confusion on that.
I'm replacing the lock cylinder as I don't have the keys, and possably the switch too.
Repairing a lock cylinder that is frozen or sans keys requires a drill, gumption, and a midget on a tricycle.
Care to explane please? I have everything but the drill. I keep the midget in the freezer to keep him fresh
I'll post the relevant portion of the manual when I get home today.
Basically, you need to drill out the center of the lock cylinder to get it to release.
Thanks, if you would please Jeremy
Also, Sorry Alex for the massive thread jack' on my part
well its ben 4 months did it start
whatthe?
dude it was last year...errr last last year :hick:
if he still couldnt get it to start i doubt hes gonna make catjam 06!!!! might be just a *tad* too late for that :hick: :giggle:
WTF?!?! HOLY raise a dead thread batman!! look at the last post! August 03 '07, the problem has long since been fixed..... and you are bringing it back up because???
Sigh.. reading through this brought back some old memories..
wtf wheres bearmax's post? trying to ninja-delete our way out of this one are we? :hick:
hahah oh man.. i can still read his post.. and I have these options:
LOL .. Undelete it.. I guess the programmers of this script are fans of Strongbad..
Reading this has been the most fun I had all week.
I'ts as bad as my 3 post "couger" reply a while back. lol
hahahahahahaha i thought it would be funny to bring up an old thread and see if any one noticed and then back out of it once some one did but i didnt think of the moderator could recover my post ...darn it
well, in that case, baxo... recover the post please. :D
There we go, I have recovered the post.
And yes, I ended up making it to Cat Jam 06.. Saturday Night / Sunday Morning at 2am after driving non-stop for 30 hours with no food and no sleep (for those who don't know the story).