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1998 ford contour wont start


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MWEAKS777
New User

Dec 10, 2011, 8:49 PM

Post #1 of 4 (9340 views)
  post locked   1998 ford contour wont start  

i have a 98 ford contour been a very good running car for the most part till a few days ago. I was on my way to work and it started putting almost like it was out of gas and then died. It didnt want to start back up at first but then it did. It was almost like I was out of gas but the light wasnt even on yet. So I went to get gas and it was fine after that. Yesterday it kind of seemed like it was putting again but not as bad. Then this morning I went to start it and it just turns over but wont start, It has a half tank of gas in it. So my husband mentioned that it may be the fuel pump, he did some test where he put gas in the engine throttle, also the fuel pump is coming on, he doesnt think the fuel pump is bad. But he did say that the engine is not firing whatever that means. We are in bad shape I am the only one working he lost his job of 11 years in april this is the only vehicle we have. Does anyone have any advice?


(This post was edited by MWEAKS777 on Dec 10, 2011, 8:50 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 10, 2011, 9:22 PM

Post #2 of 4 (9314 views)
  post locked   Re: 1998 ford contour wont start  

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.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



benn3769
New User

Oct 9, 2012, 6:25 PM

Post #3 of 4 (8534 views)
  post locked   Re: 1998 ford contour wont start  

i have a 98 ford contour been a very good running car for the most part till a few days ago. I was on my way to work and it started putting almost like it was out of gas and then died. It didnt want to start back up at first but then it did. It was almost like I was out of gas but the light wasnt even on yet. So I went to get gas and it was fine after that. Yesterday it kind of seemed like it was putting again but not as bad. Then this morning I went to start it and it just turns over but wont start, It has a half tank of gas in it. So my husband mentioned that it may be the fuel pump, he did some test where he put gas in the engine throttle, also the fuel pump is coming on, he doesnt think the fuel pump is bad. But he did say that the engine is not firing whatever that means. We are in bad shape I am the only one working he lost his job of 11 years in april this is the only vehicle we have. Does anyone have any advice?


did you get any advice?
mine is doing the same thing


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 9, 2012, 6:29 PM

Post #4 of 4 (8527 views)
  post locked   Re: 1998 ford contour wont start  

My advice is to read the rules before posting and don't post to a year old thread. If you need help, start a new question of your own.



FORUM RULES



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







 
 
 






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