1998 Ford Contour driveability

BULIA

MEMBER
1998 FORD CONTOUR
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
12,700 MILES

This car was given to my son after it sat for 3 yrs because it needed timing chains (2.5L V6) upon receiving the car we tried to start it. It wants to start but won't.
It sounds as if it is out of time and it back fires. We replaced the chains and triple checked the timing and it is on the money. We then tried to start the car and there is no change it almost starts but won't. Before I removed the old chains I checked to see if it was in time and it was. Could you please give us some ideas. I am a G.M. And Chrysler Mechanic but have repaired little when it comes to Fords

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

If the timing is correct, you have good fuel pressure and a hot spark to the plugs, I would have to say check the compression. Have you done that yet?

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Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 AT 12:14 AM

BULIA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

While waiting for a reply, I went out and continued working on the car and found the cause of the problem!
It appears that when the car was checked out for the chains the mechanic who checked it out broke the retaining tap that holds the connector together that connects the sensors to the P.C.M. What happens is the connector has foam rubber seals in it. Without the locking tap the connector is allowed to separate causing a connection problem. Plastic ties are not strong enough to hold it together so I used a hose clamp to hold it together and I no longer have the problem and the car runs fine. Thank you for your help and this message is for anyone else who might run into a similar problem