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1989 Mercury Tracer

Tiny
DANDEMERREL
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 MERCURY TRACER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 100,000 MILES
1989 mercury tracer 100,000 miles. Car is in very good condition as it was not used for a decade. Car died while driving. Won't start. What could it be? There has been nothing to indicate any problem.
Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 1:06 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
**Cranks but no start condition:

Do below to determine if its a fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 2:24 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Just get it going again?

Running on 10 year old gas, or did this issue happen a good while after you pulled it out of mothballs?

Maybe a little more recent history?

Just interrogating Raz, Just passing thru!

The Medic
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 2:36 AM
Tiny
DANLESABRE
  • MEMBER
  • 230 POSTS
Nice post CJ MEDEVAC, very good point! 10+ year old gas may not do the trick. If you just tried starting it and have not been able to drive it anywhere, try spraying starter fluid into the intake manifold and see if that does the trick to make it start up for a second or two.
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 3:02 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If you poison it 2x and fires up 2x and dies-check the fuel pressure
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 3:08 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
BTW Medicineman-you got 8,663 posts to become a Sr. Moderator-Wish you luck and my blessings
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 3:12 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Roger, never thought I'd get to a thousand!

We scare off Mande78?

Come in Mande78, Come in!

Kinda wanna see something good happen, 'fore I gotta go to bed!

The Medic
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 3:21 AM
Tiny
DANDEMERREL
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I drive the car everyday. It runs great. It just died while driving today and won't start.
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Rasmataz gave you some stuff to try. This will steer him toward what to chase after.

One was testing things for a spark problem, the other was testing for a fuel problem.

. Can you and yours perform these tests and send the results back, so that He (we) can send you additional information, focusing on what system, needs further attention?

While I'm sorta barking stuff out. Explain "won't start" in more detail. Turns over, no turn over, tries to start (spits and sputters), clicks, smells etc. Etc?

Any noises?

Other history that might aid us?

Do your headlights, gauges, starter work?

Of course the one that will make you mad. But must be asked. Do you have fuel?

Is this too much for you and you need stuff explained better?

In order for our end to continue to try to help you, you must do this stuff and report back.

Most of this is not hard to do, and you are allowed to cheat and have the mechanically inclined neighbor kid to aid you!

This could turn out to be something EZ to fix and be relatively inexpensive. And then again, we might run into more difficult issues.

We need you, to be our eyes, ears, and hands.

Thanks

The Medic
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
DANDEMERREL
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Okie dokie. Thanks. The car is at the mechanic's now. He will figure it out and I won't break any nails. ;)
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Women.(I hope?) Lol!

Come back to see us, maybe before a manicure is needed!

Please do, let us know, what the solution was

The Medic
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
DANDEMERREL
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I'll come back and let you know when I talk to him. Thank you all for your input!
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 10:12 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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Roger That!

The Medic
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 10:47 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
DANG!

HE'S HAD YOUR CAR. LIKE FOREVER!

IT MUST BE REALLY SERIOUS!

DID YOU GO OUT AND GET YOU A NEW JEEP WRANGLER, TO RIDE AROUND IN?

WE'RE STILL PULLIN' FOR YOU!

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 4:59 AM
Tiny
DANDEMERREL
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
He was snowed under with other cars to fix. LOL He said it was something with the spark plugs and distributor. (?) I find that a little weird. It just died on Main Street! LOL Anyway, It's back up and running like a champ. Nice, cool AC and all!
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!

YOU CAN REALLY GET A GREAT DEAL ON A NEW WRANGLER

WITH A GOOD, OPERATIONAL TRADE-IN

MAYBE EVEN OFFER SPECIAL INCENTIVES TO SEE YOU GET OUT OF "THAT", AND LEAVE WITH SOMETHING "REAL"!

I'LL HELP YOU PICK THE COLOR!

WHACHU THINK?

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 8:07 PM
Tiny
DANDEMERREL
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I love my car. It's economical all around and performs well. Unless somebody wants to donate a newer vehicle, I'm keeping mine. LOL
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 9:47 PM

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