Engine wont start

Tiny
FINACAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 MERCURY SABLE
My 94 sable was running just fine, until one day it just died and would not start, but will turn over as if it is. So I sent it to a shop and they said it was the distributor, so I had a complete distributor replaced alone with wires and spark plugs and it still will wont start. So I had a guy to check it out and it started and ran around the block once. Then it would not start and if it did it would not stay running, I have a new Constant Control Relay Module, the little back box mounted on the hood, so when trying to start it, I hear the box keep clicking and the fuel pump keeps humming, even if it starts for a little while the box wont stop clicking. Someone please help
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 AT 3:07 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Are you getting spark and fuel to the engine? This guide will help

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 AT 7:47 PM
Tiny
FINACAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I truly thank u for your question, and yes im getting spark and fuel, also it will run for a little while, but wont stay running and u can hear the relay box and fuel pump keeps clicking, and then it just shuts off
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Have you checked the relay?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, August 8th, 2013 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
FINACAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your reply, im happy to say the car is fixed. The problem was a bad ground in the connector to the Constant Control Relay Module, That little black box mounted on the front of the hood. The connector looked find, but had some corrosion inside, I tryed cleaning it but that did not work. So, I just cut if off and grounded the wires to the grounded from the hood. There also was a #15 fuse blown in the black relay box on the right side under the hood, I really wish I had checked this first, it just my have been the problem and that would have save me a lot of time and money, so after I got a guy to tune it up, it runs just fine. So, if your are having this problem please check relays, ground wires and fuses inside car and under the hood as well. I truly hope this helps someone, THANKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+4
Monday, August 12th, 2013 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
I'm glad you found the problem. I'm sure your post will be helpful for someone. Let us know if you have questions in the future.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, August 12th, 2013 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
ANNSERRANO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 MERCURY SABLE
Engine Mechanical problem
1994 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

my car started then died after that it wont start now it has fire and spark. It did something like this not even a year ago and it was the disturtor cap but if its it again what is causeing it to keep breaking?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do below to determine if its fuel or spark issue

Get a starting fluid or ether and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REMYCOOL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,900 MILES
My car cranks but won't start. We have changed the spark plugs, replaced the vacuum hoses and the throttle positioning sensor, and cleaned the choke. As far as we can determine, the engine is receiving air and fuel. Still, it will not start. What could be causing this problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE764
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 174,000 MILES
When I go to start the car I hear a grinding sound. I believe this to be either the starter or the ring gear. It's hard to describe the sound in words but it sounds like gear teeth grinding. What or the odds on it being the ring gear or the starter. I will be attempting to replace the parts myself. Do you have any tips on how to replace the starter and how complicated it is to do without hoisting it. Also how much work is involved in changing the ring gear an what a shop might carge for installation only. I plan to get the parts from the wreckers
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
It's probably a weak bendix drive on your strater, replace that or the whole starter...


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Starter_1.jpg

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WILDMANMONTE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 MERCURY SABLE
Electrical problem
1994 Mercury Sable Front Wheel Drive Automatic

i replaced the starter and it still will not turn over there is power too the starter. Had both starters test too find out both were good could the ignition switch be bad?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If battery and connections are good

Check the starter relay, transmission range sensor and the ignition switch
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUMPYTHEMASHER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 MERCURY SABLE
Engine Performance problem
1994 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 120k miles

my car will not start after its been running for a while, I must wait until it cools down to start it again. It cranks but will not start.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
When the problem occurs, have a helper crank it, while you visually check for spark at the plugs. If you have spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel pressure.

Do you have a distributor or coil pack? How long since a tune-up?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MILOTHEBLUE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 MERCURY SABLE
  • 140,000 MILES
A month ago I started having problems getting my car started. Being new to cars in general, I didn't know where to start so I researched and I've learned quite a bit during the process. I turn the key and it cranks, and the whole car shakes like it wants to start but can't quite get there. It doesn't even fire. The battery is good; all the lights and everything comes on. I started looking for the fuel relay but it's nowhere to be found or in any of the spots that numerous people (and websites) have said it would be. I changed the spark plugs and the battery, still no change. So I checked the inertia switch and it wasn't triggered, so I manually triggered it and after a few times of doing this it got the car to start. It ran good for a day, then back to it not being able to start. A week later, for the fun of it I tried again, and it started. Don't know what I did, but it did something right. I checked all the fuses and spark plug cords, and even went to get my engine light code, but the guy at the auto shop said there was no codes to be found. He assumed that some how I erased the codes when I was messing with it. It ran good for a week and a half, and now I'm back again with a car that won't start. It has oil and gas. When I turn the key (without cranking it), the check engine, oil, and battery lights come on. When I'm trying to start it, only the battery light is lit up. Not sure what to do, I have no money in my account till next pay day and I'm having to ride my bike 8 miles to work (in cold South Dakota). Any tips or insight would be deeply appreciated! Thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So you have to keep resetting the interia switch to get it to start? If so sounds like you have a bad interia switch. Its not a circuit breaker so sounds like its bad.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:03 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MILOTHEBLUE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I tried the inertia switch again several times and it looks like only that one time did the trick. I'm not sure what made it start after that. I did add a fuel additive to the gas, but I don't know if that would really make a difference in whether or not the car would turn on if there's a real problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:03 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So we know we have spark?Also have you checked to see what the actual fuel pressure is?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:03 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GIFTBASKETQUEEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 MERCURY SABLE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
When I have been driving the car of at least 15 minutes the transmission begins to slip and cause the car to jerk when pressing on the accelerator. Once the car has been moving for at least 25 minutes or more when I press on the accelerator it will completely slip and cause the RPM to go up to about 4-6 and the car will barely move. Once that has happened when I turn off the car it will not turn back on for several hours. I would appreciate any insight given. Thank you!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 6:03 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links