1995 Ford Contour car wont start

Tiny
KRAFT84
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD CONTOUR
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
2 days ago I replaced my dead battery with a new battery. It has started fine the last 2 days but this evening car wont start. The engine is turning over. I checked fuses and replaced blower motor fuse and that is now working. I realize there are many things that can cause a car not to start but could one of the control relays been damaged when I replaced the new battery and if so how do you check to see if that is faulty? If the igintion switch relay is bad would that cause my car not to start?
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 9:58 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

The first things to check are.

Spark - Make sure there is spark at the plugs. Spark color should be a bright bluish/white. If orange possible bad coil.

If spark checks out good.

Check fuel pressure - listen for fuel pump to turn on for about 3 seconds when the key it turned to the on possition. If don't hear fuel pump turn on check relay.

Post finds.

.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 10:09 PM
Tiny
KRAFT84
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I put in new sparks plugs, still does not start.I cant hear the fuel pump when I turn on the ignition, not sure about how to "turn on check relay", please explain. Thanks.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 AT 9:51 PM
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Ok, do you have the owners manual for the car? If so look through it for the fuses and relays section. It will tell you were they are located. Once you find the location of the Fuel Pump Relay look at the numbers on it then look at the relays around it, match up the numbers and then just swap the fuel pump relay with one that has the same numbers on it. Make Note of which one you swapped for the fuel pump relay. Once you have done that turn the key to the on position without trying to start it. If you hear the fuel pump then try starting if car starts you will need to replace the relay the you initially took out from the fuel pump socket.

If still doesn't start check for spark at the plugs. To check remove a couple of the spark plug wires from the spark plug and place them loosely back on. Taking on on the plug wires off the plug and with a
philips screw driver place the end into the wire were plug would go. Place it or hold it near (about 1/4 - 1/2 inch) a good ground, metal part of the engine. Look for a bright Bluish/White Spark jumping from the screw driver to the ground.

Post findings.

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Thursday, July 9th, 2009 AT 9:39 PM

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