Cranks but will not start

91 ford tempo GL 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive wont start. Has fuel to the fuel pressure regulator but when you unhook the return line and start the fuel pump no fuel comes out of the return line. It is getting fuel to the regulator for sure and has spark. Car cranks fine and has brand new fuel filter. After trying to start it for a few hours it has fuel in the oil so it is spraying in cylinders

Engine Mechanical problem
1991 Ford Tempo 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My vehicle appears to have everything in order and will not start. I turn the key and it makes a whine and then is silent so I attempt to crank it over and it makes a plunk sound and I am wondering if it is the starter or the solenoid. Please help.

Cranks but will not fire. Drove earlier in the day started fine then later wouldn't fire.

What to check?

My starter slowly died. It kept starting slower and slower until finally it wont start and I know the battery is good. Is it the starter that is bad or something else and how do I fix this problem?

I just went through a similar circumstance with my '91 Tempo. When you turn the key over do you hear a clicking sound? If so, then it could be your starter sylenoid, which is quick and easy to replace. Or it could be the starter, which is what was wrong with mine. Also check your alternator belt to see if its the problem. It made the battery light come on and stay on until I replaced it as well.

Oct. 24/09

Hello,

I was wondering if someone has some experience with "1990 Ford Tempo" it is "model L".
2.3 L, automatic tran. Vin # 1FABP35X1LK234531. Odometer reading is 127,000 km (78,000 miles). The problem is that it doesn't start and the problem wasn't gradual, but all of a sudden... It was working fine one minute and then not starting the next. It sounds like it will, but doesn't kick over... It doesn't seem to be firing in the cylinder.
The vehicle has now sat for 4 months and the problem is exactly the same (yes, no secret fix-it gremlins snuck into my garage and fixed the problem... Hmmmm). I mention this as it eliminates the idea that it could be flooded. I have confirmed that there is spark going to the cylinders (spark plugs). It also seems that there may be gas present in the cylinders as I can smell it when I remove the spark plugs and they seem wet.
Are there some easy checks that I can do to confirm that it is not "fuel delivery" related?

I found two trouble codes from the "key on engine off" section of the codes and they were

21 - Coolant temperature sensor out of specified range and
Engine temperature coolant out of specified range.
24 - Air charge temperature low

If this sensor isn't functioning properly, could that cause my engine not to start?
If this sensor is functioning properly, could that mean that the thermostat is not working and could that cause my engine not to start?
In the old days, the engine would have still started... But perhaps the (EEC) computer that controls the throttle mechanisms will not let the Air/fuel reach the cylinder.

I had another tempo (1990, but a manual tran.) That had the same codes come up 21, 24 only the car would turn over and run for a short period of time (3-6 minutes) and then die. The problem then was an ignition module. I don't think it is this as I am getting spark at the cylinder, but could this also be what needs replacing?

Any advice will be helpful,

Thanks,

Chris

You are refering to the (code 21) - replace Coolant temperature sensor? I had replaced the spark plugs already. And "yes" I had held the gas petal all the way down.

Replacing the Coolant temperature sensor probably involves a bit of work - removing some anti-freeze etc. It is located on the same casting as the thermostat; isn't it?

Is there a possibility it is "fuel related". I can do a quick check if the gas is making it at least to the fuel filter, as suggested elsewhere in this forum.
Could I also check if the fuel injectors are squirting by taking out those "new"spark plugs and seeing if they are wet and have gas on them?

Thanks "fixitmr"for the comment, by the way!

Chris

November 6/09

I don't have mileage, but rather kilometers!
You got it running by putting a cut off switch on fuel pump circuit. If I'm getting too much fuel at start, wouldn't that mean that the injectors are not working properly?
Or possibly, that the pressure in the fuel line was too much(ie: greater than 65 psi)?
What was your fuel pressure like when you decided to put in the switch?
Where is the relay located?
Where is the relay fuse located?

Reluctant to keep changing things that are not the problem. I would prefer to properly diagnose the problem first.

Thanks,

Chris

Tempo 1990 - not starting

anyone else have any ideas. It's still not starting!