1995 Ford Probe Intermittent Start - 1995 Ford Probe

Tiny
MLBROWN11
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD PROBE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 86,800 MILES
The car starts perfectly fine 75% of the time. At other times it won't start, but turns over.
We can push start it if we are lucky enough to be on a hill. Then it runs fine.
We have taken it to two different mechanics. It starts fine for them, so they can't diagnose. Since it is 1995, we can't get to the diagnostic data.
It has a newish battery.
We are stumped. Any help would be appreciated.
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 AT 3:32 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi mlbrown11, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

At other times it won't start, but turns over.

Pushing it down the hill, the purpose here is to start the car w/o using the starter to engage the engine.

It cranks over and will not start possibilities here could be a fuel or spark issue-Do below and get back with some testing results so that I can continue to assist
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Thursday, July 1st, 2010 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
MLBROWN11
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I don't think I was being very clear when I said that it turns over. What I mean is:

- We always hear the starter spin when we turn the key (regardless of whether the engine actually starts or not).

- When the engine fails to start we don't think we hear it turning over (just the starter spinning).

- When the engine fails to start, we are able to start the car by pushing it and then releasing the clutch to turn the engine over (while fun at first, this has gotten old).

- We have never had to jump start the car to get it going. A push start has always worked when in this condition.

We will try your experiment the next time it fails. Thanks.
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Friday, July 2nd, 2010 AT 8:04 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Starter spinning however engine is not turning over-sounds like the starter overrunning clutch is slipping

Also double check the starter relay, clutch switch and ignition switch
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Friday, July 2nd, 2010 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
MLBROWN11
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hi,
First of all, sorry for the delay. We had the car at a mechanics, but he was not able to recreate the problem.

Today we brought the car home, and it wouldn't start. So we took the opportunity to run the blue spark test.

Results
1) when the car does not start, there is NO blue spark
2) when the car does start, there is a blue spark

Also, the car has a new starter now, and the clutch switch has been checked.

From what you were saying if there is no blue spark, it is probably in the ignition system. Is there a way to narrow that down? Maybe another test?

Thanks!
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 3:27 PM
Tiny
MLBROWN11
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So how do we troubleshoot the entire ignition system without replacing the entire system?

And can these only be tested when the car is not starting?
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Friday, July 30th, 2010 AT 6:45 AM

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