Engine cranks but not starting?

Tiny
KAY-ROG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 6 CYL
  • 180,000 MILES
Car was driving good no problems or noise. It just would not start one day. Not the battery or the starter.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
Hello,

It maybe fuel or spark related. Please run some tests to see which problem you have.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

and

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

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JESUSISHOLY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 132,000 MILES
My daughter's car finally quit on her, she has a 1999 mercury cougar, manual trans, somedays the car will cut off as she is driving down the road, she pulls over, wait for few minutes and the car will start, but few weeks ago, it has refused to start. A friend told us that it could be the computer.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check for spark and suspect crank sensor

The ignition system consists of an ignition coil, spark plug wires and spark plugs.

The crankshaft position sensor signal is the basis for ignition timing calculations. The alternating voltage signal from the crankshaft position sensor is digitized by a pulse former within the powertrain control module. This digitized signal is then used to position the closing time of the primary circuit of the ignition coil.

Ignition timing is determined by the powertrain control module in response to engine operating conditions based on stored data tables or maps. Once ignition timing has been determined, the powertrain control module interrupts the current to the primary circuit of the ignition coil thus triggering the ignition spark. This spark is supplied to the cylinders through the spark plug wires and spark plugs.

The ignition coils are triggered by the powertrain control module in pairs (cylinders 1 and 5, cylinders 4 and 3 and cylinders 2 and 6) sending one ignition spark to the firing cylinder and one ignition spark to the corresponding cylinder on the exhaust stroke.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
72GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
Replaced fuel pump alternator battery and spark, plugs good fuel pressure in the fuel rail. Cars getting spark engine and cranking fine so starter is good but the car still wont run
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Fuel, spark and compression are required to start. One of them is missing. You say you have spark. Good, now you need to measure the fuel pressure. Should be around 40+ lbs.

Roy
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+1
Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
72GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Have all 3 of those the car still doesnt start that is the problem
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Maybe it is flooded. What is the compression and fuel pressure

Roy
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
72GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Its almost as though there is fuel through the rail the injectors arent opening
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Almost? You need to measure the fuel pressure. Try sparying carb cleaner into the air filter and see if the motor fires up for a few seconds.

Roy
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
72GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Already did with starter fluid
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
And? Did it start
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
72GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Ok, I bet you have a failed fuel pump. It may not have enough pressure to start it.

Check the inertia switch as well. It may be in the trunk behind a door clearly marked or it is behind the right front kick panel in front of the passenger door.

Roy
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
72GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Have fuel pressure up to 40 psi but having an issue where I have to pump it up by turning the key on and off or wiggeling the relay so the pump goes on and off also was wondering what the five wires are on the plug for the pump boot
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,542 POSTS
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 155,000 MILES
I replaced the alternator now the car won't start. All wires are connected and the battery is good but the car has no spark at the plugs.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try checking the crankshaft position sensor connector if its loose or disconnected-start here
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HAMSTERPOWER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The crankshaft sensor is pluged in and wires are good also the check engine light does turn off when cranking and the security light goes out when the ignition is on.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You need to backtrack everything you have touched while removing the alternator if it was running before you replace the alternator
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)

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