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Engine cranks but not starting?

Tiny
DJANGELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 140,000 MILES
Thought it was + battery cable because it was very detatched at connectors and when it was wiggled it starts. Changed the connectors and it is a hit or miss on starting. Fuel pressure was checked and it is good.
Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 AT 5:33 PM

60 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
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.
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Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 AT 10:01 PM
Tiny
DJANGELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes the starter enguages. It sounds like it wants to start but just won't. It keeps turning but last night I went outside and it started right up. It does have and ignition kill switch on it so I am not sure if that has anything to do with it or not. The altenator is new and I went to O'Reilys and they tested the starter, battery, and altinator and it all tested good. It just seems odd to me that when it does not want to fully kick in I mess with the positive battery cable and it starts. Also when I am driviing it when I get it to start it seems like it wants to cut off on me but only sometimes and I give it gas and it seems ok. Like I said though my neighbor tested the pressure for fuel line and it has really good pressure.
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Thursday, July 25th, 2013 AT 3:24 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Are you sure the battery terminals are clean and tight, free of corrosion?
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Thursday, August 8th, 2013 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
NATEWEBB77
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 110,000 MILES
Just recently changed the engine got the wiring harness back in and all, changed the crank, and cam, position sensor, can smell fuel, but not getting any spark checked for spark at the coil pack, nothing, checked the grounds, they are all clean. So I dont know what to do now
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 10:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check the fuses underhood an dthe pcm relay first. If that isn't the problem there is an ignition relay in the central junction box under the dash. Then get back an dlet us know what size motor it is. Of course this is assuming it's the stock hookup going back into the car.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 10:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAEMONDS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 MERCURY COUGAR
Engine problem
2000 Mercury Cougar 6 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 91000 miles

Hi, I was recently driving my 2000 cougar and all of a sudden my water pump belt snapped. I replaced the belt but now the car wont start at all. I triied to jump it but still nothing. What could be the problem?
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
It may have jumped time, first check for bright blue sparks at each cylinder, and fuel pressure, if those are both good you can try a compression test to check the compression to see if it jumped time.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NEACIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
My 2000 mercury cougar w/ automatic transmission starting humming and sputtering when I step on the gas. Now it wont turnover at all.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
First, is your "Check Engine" light on? If so, then begin by having the computer scanned for codes. This will point you in the right direction.

Though there's more than one cause for your symptom, this sounds like a faulty fuel pump. And this won't necessarily give you a code in the computer. However, test the pump before you just replace it.

You'll need a pressure gauge and proper fitting. Plug it into the fuel rail on your engine and turn the key to the "On" position but don't start the engine.

You should get a reading of 32-39 psi. If not, then the pump/wiring/relay is faulty. You'll have to narrow that down.

If you do get that reading, next look at a faulty CKP or CMP sensor/wires/connectors, as these will prevent your car from starting.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNWISS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 165,000 MILES
Occasionally it doesn't start. Fuel pump working. Runs fine when it starts. Are there any common denominators with other cougars, no other symptoms. Sometimes you shut it off wont start back up but maybe 2 to 3 hours later it will start sometimes it will sit a week or to and go back to it, it will start and run fine
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Check under the hood in the relay box. There, you should find an EEC relay. When the car doesn't start, switch it with another relay from the box with the same part number and see if it starts.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NIGHTMARE1558
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 2.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,000 MILES
Cranks but no start. Fuel pump was not kicking on so I bought just fuel pump and replaced it. Now I hear fuel pump but still no start. Check compression and all are between 180-200 besides number three it has 155. I do not know of that bad but not sure if I should wait a little time to retry test or what.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,289 POSTS
Do you have spark? Here is a guide to help you confirm:

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

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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NIGHTMARE1558
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have spark. I used a spark plug and a screwdriver and I seen it arc. I have fuel to the fuel rail, but it does not seem to b firing from injectors. I sprayed starting fluid in air cleaner and tried to start but kept shutting off.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,289 POSTS
Nice work. It sounds like it can be a crankshaft or camshaft angle sensor that has gone out. Can we run the codes to see what comes up?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NIGHTMARE1558
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No codes came up and I replace the crankshaft potion sensor. I did not replace the camshaft sensor yet. But it does not have injector pulse.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,289 POSTS
It sounds like you have an ignition or PCM power relay that is not working. Here is a guide and diagrams for the engine wiring and the fuse and relay locations so we can get the car fixed. They call the PCM relay engine management.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DUSTIN KEYLON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 178,000 MILES
Getting fuel and spark but will not start.
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
If we are getting fuel and spark but it will not start, we need to check compression and then circle back to fuel and spark. You need fuel, spark, and compression to start an engine.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

If the compression is okay then we need to suspect we have a weak spark possibly due to fouled spark plugs. This could be caused by cranking the engine with it not starting and it spraying fuel. Basically this fouls the plugs and the engine will not start.

Let me know this info and we can go from there. Thanks
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MOMM23
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My daughter wrecked her Cougar last week. She went in the ditch and ended up on the passenger side. Front fender is damaged but we can't get it to start. Found the reset for the fuel pump and it carnks over but won't fire. All fuses are good, no lights are showing a problem what else could be wrong? Is there another reset? The car seems too good to total but one guy looked at it but said he counldn't get it started but would buy for $200. We paid 2800 3 months ago. Any help please
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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)

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