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Will not start

Tiny
DVPATEL718
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 44,000 MILES
Trouble with my car stalling. Now it won't start. Every thing under my hood is checking out good. Could it be my PCM?
Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 8:05 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
It could be but I think we need to start with checking fuel and ignition. We need to start with spraying some starter fluid in the intake and then crank the engine and see if it will start momentarily.

If it does then it is a fuel issue. At that point we need to test fuel pressure and suspect a faulty fuel pump. However, we can get into that once we confirm this.

If that is not a fuel issue as it doesn't start with the starter fluid then we need to pull a plug and hold it against the block and crank the engine and see if it sparks.

I suspect this is a fuel issue since it started with stalling but we need to walk through it and see what we turn up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
DVPATEL718
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • VR6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 42,000 MILES
First my car wouldn't start after getting gas finally started. Kept stalling out but it would start right back. Let it set over night started up next morning stayed running for about 1 minute stalled out again. All my lights, internal light, dashboard lights and headlights work. Tested battery was good alternator is good, fuses good. Changed mega fuse although it was good. Nothing coming up on computer. My car won't start. Could it be my ignition?
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Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Can you hear the fuel pump run when you turn on the key? It should run for 2 seconds.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

I would also check the pressure when it does not start.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

You need to check for spark as well when it will not start to be sure the ignition system is providing spark.

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

Let me know the results.

Roy

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Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DVPATEL718
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
My husband's friend is a retired mechanic put it on the computer it's check everything besides the ignition and the computer said. Still won't start, only time it will start/ did you see the battery light come up on the dashboard and I'll start otherwise it won't start.
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Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
A computer will not tell you anything at this point.

This will take good old fashion diagnostics done manually.

Roy
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+1
Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DVPATEL718
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
New mechanic is saying it's my PCM
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Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
How did he determine it was the ECM? Did he replace it?

Roy
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Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DVPATEL718
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
He did replace the PCM and it was not the problem. So now he's checking all the wires in my car. My car is now going on a month and still not fixed noone hasn't checked ignition. One mechanic is saying that he is trying to figure out why the car will start only when the battery light is on on the dash when the battery light is not on car won't start. I don't know, I'm so confused. I feel like it's something to do with the ignition or my fuel pump. Because when my car first started acting crazy I just got gas and tried to start my car and wouldn't start. I waited for about 20 minutes finally started but kept stalling on my way home. Could not get it to start until the next day.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:33 AM
Tiny
DVPATEL718
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Just received the call from the mechanic he is saying he is 98.3% it's my computer.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:23 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Well, that is a pretty good percentage but is this a different module then the PCM that he just replaced or does he think the new one is faulty?

I am getting the feeling they are not sure but again, the 98.3% makes me feel a little better. Let us know what happens. Thanks
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
DVPATEL718
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi, I finally got my car back it was the computer. He showed me the old one all the wires were burnt. Car runs beautifully and starts right up. Cost me $750.00 including Ford programming. And something about going to see if it's a default with the ford Taurus really surprised me for it to be the computer. I thought more the ignition.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
DVPATEL718
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you very much for your time and help.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You are welcome. Glad you got it handled and thanks for updating us. Please come back to 2CarPros next time you need some help. Thanks
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 6:28 PM

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