Non running Mountaineer

Tiny
JAMES8985
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
Have a 98 Mountaineer 5.0 4x4. Vehicle was locked up, running, with keys in the column. Drivers door was unlocked using a "slim Jim" and vehicle was shut off. When an attempt to restart the vehicle it would not start and all efforts to get it started again failed. 3 years later here we are trying again. Everything was done to assure that there was no "varnish" in any of the fuel systems. On board security system was by passed according to specs, re: wire in kick panel was grounded out. Vehicle will run as long as you spray fuel into the intake plenium and quit when you stop. Fuel pressure from pump is at 30-45 lbs, pump is hot wired to run at all times for testing and repair. Has good spark but will only run when fuel is sprayed into the intake. Any suggestions? Runs great when running.
Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 2:53 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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The injector's aren't pulsing that's why you have fuel pressure and you still have to spray fuel into the intake to get it to run. Which is dangerous by the way. So does it have fuel pressure when it's hooked up like it's suppose to to and not hot wired?Also have you seen if you have power to each injector key on engine off?Also you need to get a noid light to check for injector pulse you plug it in instead of the injector and crank it over watching for the light to flash.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 6:07 PM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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This vehicle is for my Mother-in-law so I hope you understand. There were some wires that were "chewed" by "mice, chipmunks, who knows, " but we got all of them secured and tested with a vom for continuity and they are all fine. At this point we have the pulse on the injector wires but not sure if it is when it is supposed to be as I do not have a repair manual for it. As far as the pump goes, there is power there on the wires but we elected to do what we are doing so that we can run it with another battery. Long story, got in-laws "helping" on this. I have been working on vehicles for 43 years now and have some clue what I am doing but on this one I have been messing with it for over 3 weeks now and am begining to loose sight of the problem and cure. I am sure you have been in the same position at one time or another. I have been told the crank or cam sensor is the problem, they are both new but I know that does not mean anything other than the fact that they are new, doesn't mean they are good. Been there done that one a time or two in the past. Thanks for trying to help me so far.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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So do you have a pulsing to the injectors when your cranking it to start it?Because you say you have fuel pressure and still have to prime the engine to keep it running. That leaves no injector pulse I would say the crank sensor is good since it starts and runs on a prime. DO you have any code's?Also you made sure all the fuses are good?
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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Yes, fuses are good and no codes. I guess I will take a good look at the cam sensor again. I tested each and every fuse, as far as the pulse on the injectors it is a steady resistance, no variations.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Steady resistance?You should have a constant power and a on and off ground while cranking you can use a bulb test light on the ground side of the injector harness then put the aligator clip on the positive side of the battery. Then crank it over and see if the test light bulb flashes. Do that on all the injector harnesses.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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No flash at all.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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There you go that is your starting point no injector pulse like I was saying before. So you have power to the injector just no pulsing ground?Do you have a constant ground?
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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Well I believe so, but you know as well as I do about Ford and their grounds. They come and go like the wind. MY GROUND is good, that I know! I really apreciate the help and the fresh outside look at this deal. If you ever need anything here is my email addy, my id or log in name here at hotmail. I have worked in salvage yards for years and I have contacts all over the country and can find you any part you may need for any vehicle any year so let me know if there is anything I can do. I will let you know what I find out. Thanks again.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Thanks for the parts offer I might just take you up on that someday. If you have a constant power with the key in the run position on the one side of your injector harness that is good. But if your saying you also have a constant ground on the other side that is bad. The ground side pulses if it stayed grounded constant the injector would stay on all the time.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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Well we just took another look at the cam sensor and pulled the whole deal out of the engine and I found the problem, the whole thing needs to be replaced. At least you gave me a direction to go to. That helped alot. As far as the parts offer goes, that is open anytime, you helped me, I intend to do the same in turn. Feel free to get ahold of me anytime and I will get back to you. I will find it and tell you where it is so you can make the arrangements yourself. Cuts the middle man out of the picture. I have contacts all over the country so I am sure I can help you. 40's 50's 60's 70's 80's no matter what year. I have the contacts to get it for you. Let me know and thanks for your help and you have a great day.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Glad to hear you found the problem that's what we like to hear let me know how it runs when you get it going.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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Thanks again for your help. Remember if you need anything get ahold of me. I owe ya one!
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Friday, March 25th, 2011 AT 12:37 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome I will keep you in mind if I need anything.
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Friday, March 25th, 2011 AT 12:49 AM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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It is me again, okay here is where we are with this. Hot wire is live on all injectors and there is no power or anything on the ground the side. The light does not pulse at all, it stays on on every injector plug. There is no ground with the key on but there is with the key off. Any suggestions on this issue?
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I thought you found the problem?Do you have any code's?Can you rent a code reader to check for them?
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 6:42 PM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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Did check for codes and there are none at all. And I thought we HAD found the problem too but it was not the whole problem. If we didn't have so much time and money tied up in this thing it would be going to the salvage yard but unfortunely it is to late for that now. I realize it is hard to figure out the problem thru the internet. I was an "Expert" on www. Alleperts. Com awhile back myself and tried to help people fix their cars, I had a great rating too but I got out of it.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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Worse part about it is that by spraying fuel into the intake plenum it runs great, we kept it running that way until it came up to temp and it never missed a beat, but the injectors just will not pulse off like they should. Ran great before we changed the cam sensor and housing and after. That is the puzzling part of it. Light is on on the hot side of the plug steady with key on engine off and running and nothing on the ground side until you shut it off and then you have a ground.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Yeah you have lost the injector pulse for some reason I was thinking possible anti theft malfunctioning but I couldn't find for sure that the injectors were disabled with the anti theft.I asked another moderator that is better with mercury's to help out on this one. Mercury's aren't my strong point saturn's are.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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Hello, This is a different expert.
I need to verify some facts here before going any further. Please don't assume or guess at anything.

1) You are sure that you have constant power to one side of the injectors with the key on?

2) Using a noid light you have no flashing light when cranking

3)You have correct fuel pressure using the cars own wiring

4) When you turn the key on the check engine light comes on for a bulb check

Please give me absolute confirmation on all those things and we'll see where we have to go from here.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
JAMES8985
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Okay, yes to all your questions. I understand wanting the confirmation. I have tried to diagnose vehicles over the phone/internet myself.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 9:48 PM

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