1995 Ford Thunderbird Engine turns but won't fire

Tiny
BRIANVAL98
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My 1995 Ford Tbird is a daily driver. I know it has a lot of miles but it's always ran great. I just drove it yesterday for 100 miles (as always) with no problems and today it just turns and will not fire. Nothing should have changed recently and it's parked in a 65 degree temp garage nightly. It's been a while since I've done a tune up on it but it runs very smoothly with no sputters or shakes. I didn't really smell gas while it was trying to turn but then again my nose isn't very keen. I even sprayed a little engine starting fluid in the air intake and it didn't do any good. I really didn't have the opportunity to pull the plugs and check for spark and I didn't have any check engine light yesterday but today while it's cranking, the light is on. I can't remember if that goes off after the engine starts (normally) or not. Any ideas?
Saturday, March 1st, 2008 AT 6:55 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do a spark test both at the coil wire and sparkplug wire end and report back your findings.

No spark check for power at coil positive terminal-possible causes: coil/distributor pick-up coil/ignition control module.
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Saturday, March 1st, 2008 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
BRIANVAL98
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the info. I unplugged the sparkplug wire from the sparkplug and cranked the engine. I had no spark at the plug. I tried 2 different plugs (one from each coil) and nothing.
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Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Test for power at coil and also check the primary and secondary resistances on it. Might want to check if it has a cam and crankshaft sensor-could be the ignition control module/could also be the distributor pick-up.
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Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
BRIANVAL98
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I decided to try to start it one more time before I troubleshot. It fired right up. I moved it and tried several more times. Every time it fired up with no issues. Do you think it's just a loose connection. Possibly the Crankshaft sensor? Thanks!
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Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 AT 10:04 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Dunno what you have touched but it works-Happy motoring again.
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Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 AT 4:58 AM

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