88 Cougar issue... June 26, 2008, 06:46:26 PM Hey Guys...I know its been a LONG time since i've been around. Question about the cat. she has been running good no issues until the last week. I was getting ready to leave for work, went to start her up and she cranks fine, just won't catch.Thought it may have been the starter, so I replaced the starter still the same issue. She will catch if you keep trying to start. Sometime it will take 2 tries sometimes its 10. Its not misfiring, you can hear the fuel pump kick in when you turn the key, when she runs she runs fine, just when you shut it off it take 2-10 times of trying to start before it catches and cranks all the way over. Any ideas where to start or what it could be?? I have been told it may be the fuel pump getting weak, just not sure where to start first. thanks in advance. Quote Selected
88 Cougar issue... Reply #1 – June 26, 2008, 07:11:17 PM Maybe the ignition switch in the steering column. Quote Selected
88 Cougar issue... Reply #2 – June 26, 2008, 07:59:31 PM when you say it cranks fine you mean the motor is turning just not firing ie start and run or is it that sometimes the starter just spins but does'nt catch the flywheel?if the motor turns but does'nt fire up and you say you hear the fuel pump cycle..then start with checking for spark.. if there is no spark..the ignition switch could be one of the possible problems.in all the cases i have found including my own car. it was either the TFI module and or the distributor TFI's are known going bad and useuly when they do.after you shut the car off and try to start them back up after a short time they fail.. and after sometime will fire back up. and then sometimes they just drop dead all together..it's the same with the distributor over time ie high mileage the internal ground in the distributor pick up takes a dump.. and causes the same symptoms as i stated above.. if it's one of these two things is the cause ie if there is no spark.the best way is to just replace the distributor why? a rebuild distributor with a TFI module is around 109 bucks with a core exchange the TFI module is about 90 bucks and the pick up which is a bit@h to replace is about 56 bucks the same thing happend to a few of my friends cars to a while backi just replaced the distributor and we went on our way..my car was doing the same thing about 6 months ago and the first thing was to check for spark when it did'nt start and yep no spark so i knew just what to do and then it started right up after i replaced the distributor of course after i got the timing close enough to start and then set the timing correctly.hope this helps Nick Quote Selected
88 Cougar issue... Reply #3 – June 28, 2008, 12:01:58 AM The motor turns fine and all just dosent start. It will start eventully if you keep trying to start it. I have never personally checked for spark others have done it for me, so what is the best way for me to check myself for spark. Thanks for the help. Quote Selected
88 Cougar issue... Reply #4 – June 28, 2008, 12:06:58 AM Does it do it anytime, (cold or warmed up) or just after it has been started and then shut off for a bit? Quote Selected
88 Cougar issue... Reply #5 – June 28, 2008, 01:12:59 AM anytime. the day after it started happening I got it to start after a few tries and i drove it.came home shut it off then it did the same thing all over again. Quote Selected
88 Cougar issue... Reply #6 – June 28, 2008, 07:59:32 AM Run codes and check fuel pressure (with a gauge). Get back with us with your findings.We can't do much else to help really until we know more. Quote Selected
88 Cougar issue... Reply #7 – June 28, 2008, 08:28:16 AM Quote from: Redrider;224750Hey Guys... went to start her up and she cranks fine, just won't catch.Thought it may have been the starter, so I replaced the starter still the same issue.Why would you replace the starter if the engine cranks over OK??? That's all a starter is supposed to do, if it doesn't start there's other issues... Maybe it should be called a cranker??? Quote Selected
88 Cougar issue... Reply #8 – June 29, 2008, 11:15:13 PM Quote from: Redrider;224978The motor turns fine and all just dosent start. It will start eventully if you keep trying to start it. I have never personally checked for spark others have done it for me, so what is the best way for me to check myself for spark. Thanks for the help.go to your local harbor frieght and get a spark checker(it goes between your plug and distributor) cost like 2 bucks.sounds like a tfi module ping out to me. Quote Selected
88 Cougar issue... Reply #9 – June 30, 2008, 12:42:22 AM check your codes, and your spark plugs and an oil change can't hurt. Alot of the time preventive maintenance helps a ridiculous amount. Let us know what you find. Quote Selected
Topic: 88 Cougar issue... (Read 1085 times)
previous topic - next topic
