engine not running?

If it cranks good but won't start, when the problem occurs, you have to do testing when problem is ongoing. If it cranks good, but won't start, have a helper crank it while you visually check for spark at the plugs. If you have spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel pressure. When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

Dear sir, thank you for attempting to answer my question. It would probably be helpful if you would read the whole thing before you give an answer to it. the problem with the car was a bad ignition control module, which is located inside the ECM. i replaced the electronic control module (computer) and it has done fine ever since. I was disappointed by every web site that offers information on car repair, not a single expert bothered to read my complete question and would suggest i do the same things i had done already, which i stated in the question if they had bothered to read.

Dear Sir, you said your problem was a cranking issue. Cranking is starter action. The info I gave was valid. Have a good day.

If your having trouble everywhere, seems to me the problem is you. Have a good day.

Just to add, your are correct, sometimes I try to read too fast and overlook something. With intermittent issues, you have to test when the problem is ongoing. Any electrical part, if there is intermittent issue with wiring circuit, replacing the part won't fix it.

Before I've had my morning coffee, I have a quick trigger. I do better as the day goes along. Have to give the medicine time to take effect. Sorry about the gripe.

3.8 'dis is there an ing control module on96 cougar xr7 'if so where located. tries to start only after cranking whenreleas. floods out pull fuel pump fuse'wil;l start but will not run'

There is no ignition module. The computer controls ground for the ignition coils. Check primary voltage at the coil pack, key on. Red wire with lite green tracer should be hot/voltage, use a voltage tester. Is it hot? That circuit is fuse protected.

Are there any applicable trouble codes?

I have a cougar and it cranks fine but wont start. The check engine light will not come on in run position indicating no power to computer. There is a electrical cluster in front of air box that clicks instead. Every now and then it will catch just for a second and then its back to cranking. The high current fuses look okay but could there be a break somewhere beyond sight window? Also jackass mechanics installed heater core and fluid drips from OBD2 connecter in passenger floorboard. This problem has been around way before all the starting problems occured. Just installed new battery and fuel filter.

Try pulling that under hood fuse box and checking for broken or burnt wires, and check the PCM grounds Here are the two you need to check!

Check fuse 13 in car fuse panel that's the PCM fuse...

Look in the CCRM for the power relay, if it's NG no power will be supplied the the PCM EEC system!

I have spare high current fuses so I replaced the pcm fuse with a brand new one and still no start. I'm thinking that maybe the computer got tired of swimming and it shorted but I could be wrong. Is there anything between the two that can be checked? The fuse panel shows no signs of burning and when you open it there isn't wires just fuses and the blades to were they go and still they all look good. This car is driving me insane. What worked for the sixties should never have been changed!!!

In the power ditribution center, there is a PCM power diode, it looks like a black fuse, check it too see that current can only flow one way. Check several fuses to make sure power is getting to the distribtion center.

the reason you have no power to you computer is because the eec realy could be bad it controals the power to the computer injectors every thing really eec stands for electronic engine controals that mite be bad its in the power distrubution box its the big black realy beside the horn realy withch is green.

Changed fuel filter but car still cuts out and sputtersnafter running for awhile. Then when you turn it off and try to start it, it won't. But after it sits awhile it starts again and you have to push gas pedal continusly to get it to run and idle again. Then it is fine and then it happens again. Could it be the fuel pump and is it internal or external?

Sound like an air filter being plugged, And when you say sputter do you mean misfire? The fuel pump is in the fuel tank., just to answer your question. I truly get a feeling you may not be dealing with a fuel pump. The reason I say this is when you let it sit a while it start again. and you have to push the gas pedal to get it going again. With a failing fuel pump stepping on the gas pedal you would just stall out. whether you are a 3.8 or a 4.6 you have a EGR .let the vehicle idle for a while , turn off the engine go to the EGR and feel it . If its too hot to touch then its open . and the problem will be with the EGR itself.

i would start with a fuel pressure check to verify the pressure

Roy

Engine problem
1995 Mercury Cougar V8 Automatic ?????? miles
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I have developed a problem with starting my car. It started a week ago when my car died on the way home, nothing unusual happened before. I stopped and it died, after a few minutes I got it started and drove about a block before repeating the process. And the when I got home it died. The next day I got it started and went to the gas station because I was low on gas, and topped up the oil. I then proceeded to drive to work when white smoke followed by black smoke came from my pipes for a minute or so, and then it died once again. I managed to get it back home but have been unsuccessful in starting it again. I changed the battery, and cleaned the connectors, and checked the fluids. I did notice I was low on coolant. When I try to start it, it will crank and at times almost turn over but only for a second, and then it will make somewhat of a back firing sound in the engine. Do you have any idea on what is wrong? Or what I should check. I can't get it to a shop, and I don't want to tow it unless I have to.

sounds like you have coolant in your intake, could be caused by a bad intake manifold and or gasket or a bad head gasket. you can remove the spark plugs and crank engine and see if antifreeze shoots out. this will confirm my diagnosis. hope this helps

Thanks for the advice I will look into that. Although there have been some new developments. After sitting for a few days I decided to try starting it again, and it worked. The only problem is it dies after a while. I managed to drive it about two blocks during which my rpm fluxuated greatly. And after which my engine had a burning oil smell and smoke came out of the oil cap when I opened it. Would it be possible for this to be caused by a bad oil filter or is it more of a head gasket? Please let me know what you think.
Thank You

most likely not a bad oil filter, sorry

Alright, My car is a 1990 Cougar LS 3.8L,
It will not start on its own. If i spray carb cleaner into the throttle body the car will start and then it will keep starting the whole day long. When the car sits through the night in the morning I need to start over again with spraying carb cleaner. When the car is running it smokes black and misses. When you step on the gas the car wakes up and works fine.

I know it's none of the sensors under the hood because i have changed them all,

Do you hear the fuel pump come on when you turn key to run position -If so check fuel pressure if its within specs-if not check pump fuse and relay-

yeah forgot to add that, the pump turns on and the fuel pressure is exactly like it should be.

Electrical problem
1990 Mercury Cougar Engine Size unknown Front Wheel Drive Automatic 135000 miles
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i have 1990 mercury cougar v6 engine xr7 with supercharger. i am recently having problem with the start up when ever i wanna start my car i should ask for jump and it works for a day and next morning the battery is drained . i took it one of the mechanics and he told me its not problem withthe battery or the alternator but is the problem with battery drain , because i have a problem with my passsenger side seat belt motor it just makes noise when i start my car or if i open my door and there is always a seatbelt warning lights blinks on dashboard and makes noice


do u think changing the seat belt might solve my problem or there might be any other reason

is it having trouble cranking the motor? if so then it is probably the seat belt and its motor. if the engien cranks full power and sounds good then its not the seat belt.

Thanks for your responce , i think its with the seat belt motor nothing is wrong with engine , so can my problem be solved by fixing motor or replacing a seat belt .

other question is according to my car manual i am supposed to put premium unleaded fuel as a gas so is it gonna hurt my engine if i used unleaded fuel


navin

It will probably fix your problem.

It should be ran on premium, or to save a few put in regular fuel and add a octane booster for 4-5 bucks per tank and it will be the same as premium.

Car has not been driven in a while. It has 1/4 tank of gas. When I turn over ignition fuel is reaching fuel rail, I am getting fire to the distributor. Car will not crank.

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

For the engine to run, you have to have spark to the plugs, proper fuel pressure at the injectors, correct ignition timing, and engine compression. Since it has been sitting, my first concern is the condition of the gas in the tank. I need you to try something for me. See if the engine starts for a couple seconds using starting fluid. If it does, the problem is fuel related. If it does not, then there is no spark. Do this and let me know the results.

Additionally, here are some links that may be helpful to you. Take a look through them.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

If you decide to test fuel pressure, the attached picture indicates the manufacturer's specifications.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,
Joe

I tried that and I also checked spark and I am getting spark plus the compression is strong.

If you have spark and good compression, it should try to start with starting fluid. Is that the case? If so, then we have to check the fuel injectors. If they are not working, fuel pressure or not, it will not get gas. If it does not fire at all with starting fluid, either timing is wrong, low compression (which you said is not the case) or you have an extremely weak spark.

Here is a link that shows how to check fuel injectors:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Let me know.

Joe

i was drivin last night and it was icey out then i spun out and when i stop the car died. now it wont start. wut do i need to do?

I believe your 1988 is the same as my 1989 Cougar.

If this is the case then if it was me i would check your Inertia Switch, My understanding that if you flip or spin out your car this switch is supposed to cut power to your fuel pump, to avoid dumping gas all over the place and prevent a major fire issue.

In my cougar it is located in the trunk compartment, underneath the rug on the driver side on the inside fender. Its right above a little relay for your fuel pump
the top of this switch should have a button, which should be sticking straight up if you triggered this switch. All you should need to do is push the button back in and it should reconnect power to this system.

But i should also state that my cougar is a 3.8 v6 and if you have a v8 it might very well be in a differnt location, but that is what i would be looking for.

This car drove off with the gas pump still in the tank, so the result cracked at the seem of the actual fuel tank. Gas pours out, and broke down because it ran out of gas. I poured 5 gallons of gas in the tank, and it still did not start. could there be more wrong to it than jus out of gas? Could the loss of pressure in the tank be the cause?

Check the fuel pressure fuel pump could be fried nothing to cool it down

There is a switch in the trunk under the carpet by the driver side brake light check it and make sure it didnt cut off the button has to be pushed down or the fuel pump wont cut on

88 cougar 3.6 spins over, fires yet wont start. probable causes for this are????

You have verified you have spark?

What about fuel?....Be really quiet, turn the key to "on", can you hear the fuel pump cycle on, then shut off?...May require your buddy to listen closely, near the fuel tank.

Results?

The Medic

motor rotates nospark

Do you have voltage going to your coil? if you have voltage going to the coil and none coming out of it replace the coil, also check the distributor cap and rotor.

you may need to check the cam and crank shaft sensors also.