1993 Ford Tempo Trouble starting car

Tiny
AMARAHEDWARDS
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 FORD TEMPO
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 64,000 MILES
Hi, I have a 93 ford tempo and in the morning when I try to start it I have a lot of trouble starting it. It will make the sounds like its trying to start but it won't start until I pump the gas and sometimes it takes a awhile for me to get it to start but I can get it to start most of the time. I have this problem mostly in the morning but also when my car has just been sitting for several hours. I have recently replaced the spark plug wires, distributor cap, and the fuel filter and none of it seems to have helped.
Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 11:38 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
First, let me tell you that pumping the gas on a fuel injected car does nothing but exercise your foot.

Here is how you find the problem.

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.
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Friday, June 27th, 2014 AT 2:39 AM
Tiny
CHRIS2009TAYLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
I noticed your comment :
"3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off."

My pressure doesn't hold - (I have a 1990 4 cyl, 2.3 L, tempo as well) I don't notice any fuel leaking anywhere outside the engine.
Any ideas where I could be losing pressure?
And how I could test this easily?

Thanks Chris
chris2009taylor@yahoo. Ca
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Saturday, September 27th, 2014 AT 3:49 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Please start a question of your own. This one belongs to someone else.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2014 AT 3:52 PM

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