1992 Ford Tempo

Hello -

To better assist you can you please tell you your engine size in liter?

Also, when you say it doesn't start... Do you mean you turn the key on and nothing... No sound, the engine is not turning over..... But you have lights on the dash?

Or

Do you mean you turn the key on and nothing... No sound, the engine is not turning over..... And there are no lights on the dash?

Or

Do you mean you turn the key on and the engine is turning over but it does not start?

Do your head lights work

Hello -

Thanks for the info.....

Please make sure the car is in neutral....... Emergency brake on..... Get the car where you can take jumper cables and go directly from the battery positive side and touch the starter where the positive cable connects. PLEASE make sure you are safe when you do this.

If the starter turns the engine over then we know it is before that.

Also, check the fuses in your fuse box. Each one. I don't have a good diagram of your fuses or wiring so I can't really advise you which one.....

Let me know.

First, are you sure the short was caused by hood? Second, if battery posts were crossed by hood, it should have only damaged battery and posts! There should not be any other damage unless connector cables to battery also got damaged. If starter is not working the first thing to check is the solenoid on inner fender on right side under hood. This operates your starter and makes it easier than crawling under car like most other brands! There is a small rubber tipped wire from your ignition switch that pushes on small post on the solenoid. Also your main positive battery cable connects to 1 of the larger bolt on connections on the solenoid. Pull off the small wire and cross with a screw driver the battery connection and this small bare pin.(Threaded) this should make starter work. If it works you problem is coming from ignition. If it doesn't your problem is coming from battery. Report back results for further diagnosis!

So did you get starter to crank over? ECU has nothing to do with starting system! It would however, have to do with fuel/spark. You can turn on key to red lights and listen for fuel pump to hum it's under back seat in tank. I've owned 7 tempo's so I do have experience with these cars. Have helped a lot of people here on this forum. Do you recall if your clutch pedal was required to be held down for starter to work/start car? Did you locate solenoid on inner fender drivers side up top? If you operate starter from there with key on it should start if all is well? I take it ECU means computer it is located left topside of steering column in 4 dr car. I never owned a 2 dr. Had a chance to buy a nice 1 last week but passed. It was a stick too!

Hello -

Fn_floppy....... Since fixitmr is assisting now I will just monitor for now.......

About the gauges. I think all dash gauges require voltage regulation. If the regulator is fried then the gauges can act up. Another thing to check is that you have battery ground to frame of car. It is usually a smaller black wire coming off the main black battery terminal wire and goes to screw on fender area or front header area right by battery. This could have been compromised by short?