Cranks but will not start

Tiny
TH24567
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 FORD TEMPO
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
I got the 91 fore tempo from my uncle after my girlfriend wrecked her car. The car sat for a year. Suring that year it would be started every couple of weeks until one day it would not start. I have put good gas, changed the plugs, wires, dist cap and rotor button, and the coolant temp sensor. The car will start sporatically. It is getting spark and feul. B ut only starts easily from starting fluid and only runs for 30 seconds tops. There is another sensor that looks just like the coolant temp sensor bt it is underneath of the feul pressure regulator. If I unplug it the car starts on its own a few times but again only runs for about 30 seconds. Any ideas?
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Friday, March 28th, 2008 AT 6:26 PM

30 Replies

Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
Sounds like you have very weak fuel pump. first thing you have to do is check the fuel pressure it should be about 45 psi. try checking fuel filter first and see if it is plugged.

This guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Friday, March 28th, 2008 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge this will give you an idea is to what's happening with fuel filter/pressure regulator and fuel pump-get it done and comeback with the pressures that is with and w/o vacuum at the regulator-
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Friday, March 28th, 2008 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
DERBYBOY25
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 FORD TEMPO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,000 MILES
91 ford tempo GL 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive wont start. Has fuel to the fuel pressure regulator but when you unhook the return line and start the fuel pump no fuel comes out of the return line. It is getting fuel to the regulator for sure and has spark. Car cranks fine and has brand new fuel filter. After trying to start it for a few hours it has fuel in the oil so it is spraying in cylinders
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Best check if the injectors are pulsing also the fuel pressure if its within specs.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Also go to this link: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Could be bad regulator dumping the fuel into engine thru vacuum line?
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEPHENGIVENS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 FORD TEMPO
Engine Mechanical problem
1991 Ford Tempo 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My vehicle appears to have everything in order and will not start. I turn the key and it makes a whine and then is silent so I attempt to crank it over and it makes a plunk sound and I am wondering if it is the starter or the solenoid. Please help.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
The whine (not screech) is the starter spinning without engaging flywheel. The plunk is the solenoid working without the starter spinning. Some fords(your yr range) have 2 solenoids. 1 on upper inner fender drivers side, and another on starter. So 1 may work and the other not. Usually the brushes wear out on the solenoid equipped starters of your year car. You can remove starter and have it tested or test it yourself. Sometimes it's just a matter of loose/corroded wiring/connectors.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEBO072
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 FORD TEMPO
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Cranks but will not fire. Drove earlier in the day started fine then later wouldn't fire.

What to check?
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check for fuel and fuel pump
check for spark
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
What's the history on car. Has it been running fine latlely?Fords are notorious for coil wire problems.(Sudden)check inside end connectors for rust/corrosion. Clean grease/wd40 or replace. If you have good spark check a sparkplug to see it's tip/gap condition.I had a tempo that would eventually repeatedly develope a no start condition and changing the sparkplugs was always the cure. Even when they looked decent. Mostly a once a year cold weather event on a car with very high mileage.I only use bosch platinums by the way.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 1991 FORD TEMPO
  • 101,000 MILES
My starter slowly died. It kept starting slower and slower until finally it wont start and I know the battery is good. Is it the starter that is bad or something else and how do I fix this problem?
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
I would suggest that you have the battery and the starter tested and if they test good I would then have the alternator tested. Also make sure that battery connections and grounds are clean and tight.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WILLJBARNES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I just went through a similar circumstance with my '91 Tempo. When you turn the key over do you hear a clicking sound? If so, then it could be your starter sylenoid, which is quick and easy to replace. Or it could be the starter, which is what was wrong with mine. Also check your alternator belt to see if its the problem. It made the battery light come on and stay on until I replaced it as well.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRIS2009TAYLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
  • 1990 FORD TEMPO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 79,000 MILES
Oct. 24/09

Hello,

I was wondering if someone has some experience with "1990 Ford Tempo" it is "model L".
2.3 L, automatic tran. Vin # 1FABP35X1LK234531. Odometer reading is 127,000 km (78,000 miles). The problem is that it doesn't start and the problem wasn't gradual, but all of a sudden... It was working fine one minute and then not starting the next. It sounds like it will, but doesn't kick over... It doesn't seem to be firing in the cylinder.
The vehicle has now sat for 4 months and the problem is exactly the same (yes, no secret fix-it gremlins snuck into my garage and fixed the problem... Hmmmm). I mention this as it eliminates the idea that it could be flooded. I have confirmed that there is spark going to the cylinders (spark plugs). It also seems that there may be gas present in the cylinders as I can smell it when I remove the spark plugs and they seem wet.
Are there some easy checks that I can do to confirm that it is not "fuel delivery" related?

I found two trouble codes from the "key on engine off" section of the codes and they were

21 - Coolant temperature sensor out of specified range and
Engine temperature coolant out of specified range.
24 - Air charge temperature low

If this sensor isn't functioning properly, could that cause my engine not to start?
If this sensor is functioning properly, could that mean that the thermostat is not working and could that cause my engine not to start?
In the old days, the engine would have still started... But perhaps the (EEC) computer that controls the throttle mechanisms will not let the Air/fuel reach the cylinder.

I had another tempo (1990, but a manual tran.) That had the same codes come up 21, 24 only the car would turn over and run for a short period of time (3-6 minutes) and then die. The problem then was an ignition module. I don't think it is this as I am getting spark at the cylinder, but could this also be what needs replacing?

Any advice will be helpful,

Thanks,

Chris
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Put new plugs and a new cpu temp sensor and try it again. I have solved more no start problems with tempos by just putting new plugs it makes me confounded! Also let cylinders dry out before put new plugs in afterr remove old 1s. Have you tried holding pedal to floor when starting?
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRIS2009TAYLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
You are refering to the (code 21) - replace Coolant temperature sensor? I had replaced the spark plugs already. And "yes" I had held the gas petal all the way down.

Replacing the Coolant temperature sensor probably involves a bit of work - removing some anti-freeze etc. It is located on the same casting as the thermostat; isn't it?

Is there a possibility it is "fuel related". I can do a quick check if the gas is making it at least to the fuel filter, as suggested elsewhere in this forum.
Could I also check if the fuel injectors are squirting by taking out those "new"spark plugs and seeing if they are wet and have gas on them?

Thanks "fixitmr"for the comment, by the way!

Chris
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
There's no way to tell actual milage on a tempo since the odometer rolls over at 99,000. I have a high mileage tempo(200,000+) that began starting hard(hold to floor) and then not at all and I got it running by putting a cut off switch on fuel pump circuit. Dont know why it's getting to much fuel but holding the switch till it starts then letting go works! So if you have wet cylinders try disabling pump and holding to floor till it starts? If it starts and runs for a second then for some reason you are getting to much fuel at start. There's a safety cutoff switch in trunk drivers side behind liner. Pull plug. Or a think there's a relay/fuse too.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRIS2009TAYLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
November 6/09

I don't have mileage, but rather kilometers!
You got it running by putting a cut off switch on fuel pump circuit. If I'm getting too much fuel at start, wouldn't that mean that the injectors are not working properly?
Or possibly, that the pressure in the fuel line was too much(ie: greater than 65 psi)?
What was your fuel pressure like when you decided to put in the switch?
Where is the relay located?
Where is the relay fuse located?

Reluctant to keep changing things that are not the problem. I would prefer to properly diagnose the problem first.

Thanks,

Chris
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRIS2009TAYLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
Tempo 1990 - not starting

anyone else have any ideas. It's still not starting!
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)

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