Engine sensors/timing

FLOODCITY1

MEMBER
1999 FORD CONTOUR
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
155 MILES

1999 Ford Contour SE, 2.0L DOHC 4.<2K miles on good used motor. Vehicle sat unused in damp area 18 months; sitting in heated garage one month now. Fuel pump newly replaced. Starts fine, idles great. When put into gear and press accelerator - sputters, gurgles, balks until reaching maybe 2250 RPM, then RPM's pick up properly until tranny shifts. Finally, tranny shifts, car dies, won't start, acts as if off timing. Cam sensor?

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

You need to check what is missing causing the non starting, ignition sparks or fuel. It can be anything so you need to perform basic checks to narrow down the possibilities.

The following link shows how to go about checking.

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

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Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 AT 2:23 PM

FLOODCITY1

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Well, it is behaving as if out of time. Timing belt has been checked and cams are on the correct notches. Car sounds very different when it cranks, as if starter bendix is turning only and cams are not (which they do in fact turn) - motor sounds like it's spinning faster and has no "guts", but it has backfired a couple of times. It is getting fuel. I'll go check the steps noted, but if you have a shortcut or opinion. Thanks.

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Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 AT 3:29 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Have the compression presure tested. They should be low causing the faster cranking speed. Remove spark plugs and pump some engine oil into cylinders. Crank engine for a few seconds without the spark plugs. Reinstall spark plugs and try restarting.
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Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 AT 7:34 PM