1998 Ford Contour Shook now won't start

DSMDDN11

MEMBER
1998 FORD CONTOUR
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
18,300 MILES

Every morning or after not being turned on for a while the car would start but shake and sputter for a bit and occasionally turn off. I thought it could have been a bad batter since the battery is 4 years old already. Today the car wouldn't start, I'd turn the key and right before starting it would stop. Still thinking it was the battery I tried to jump start the car, but it still wouldn't turn on. I'm thinking it could be the starter, but I'm just not sure.

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

If its cranking over and will not start do below

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing