1996 Ford Taurus doesnt start

Tiny
DAZZA6773
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD TAURUS
  • 226,000 MILES
I have a 1996 ford taurus that occasionally doesnt start. It cranks over but doesnt fire.I have had a mechanic hook a computer to it and it brings up nothing. They say there is no spark. After a few days the cars starts up and runs fine for a few weeks or so if you can helps us that would be great because ford in australia doesn`t know anything about these cars
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Monday, April 9th, 2012 AT 8:16 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If you could finish the question about the conputer, It would help to know what codes, if any wefe found?
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Monday, April 9th, 2012 AT 8:33 AM
Tiny
DAZZA6773
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Sorry. When they hooked up their computer to the car it brought up nothing. They took out the computer and tested it and said it was fine. It usually starts after a couple of days.I have replaced the ignition coil, plugs and wires. They also say when it is not starting that it is not firing. Itis a 1996 ford Taurus Ghia, engine is a duratec 24 valve 3l v6 thanks daryl
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Monday, April 9th, 2012 AT 8:51 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Ok on the front of the engine(right side), find the crankshaft connector, unplug it. And. Replug it onto the sensor, this is very common problem on these cars.
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Monday, April 9th, 2012 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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Monday, April 9th, 2012 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Thanks wrenchie, I have had two of these cars myself, and have suffered this problem and to save time on a no spark. Try my suggestion.
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Monday, April 9th, 2012 AT 12:20 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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If he found no injector pulse either, it would direct us that way but if he does have pulse, then the crank sensor would be fine. Could save time either way.
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Monday, April 9th, 2012 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Yep
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Monday, April 9th, 2012 AT 2:45 PM

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