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        General >> Problems >> Turns over but doesn't start
        
(Message started by: baglady on Dec 31^st, 2008, 2:45pm)

Title: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by baglady on Dec 31^st, 2008, 2:45pm

Hi everyone,

I have a puzzle with my 1997 Ultima, Auto and I'm hoping you can help me move forward with it.

A couple of weeks ago I got in the car and tried to start it. Although the engine turned over as normal it didn't start.

It's strange because the previous day I had gone a couple of hundred miles in it with no problem at all. Although the fuel was low it had some in there.

???

Come the weekend I tried again, just turning the key and listening to the engine turn. At one point it caught and idled, but after a few seconds it died again. This made me think it must be a fuel problem.

We had to leave it because of going on holiday, but yesterday we recharged the battery and ran through the fault finder. Both fuse boxes are clean and none of the indicated fuses have blown. The fuel injection safety switch in the boot hasn't sprung. we've put a couple of gallons of fresh fuel in just in case. But it doesn't fire at all.

:(

Any ideas of what we can check next?

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by mr._floppy on Dec 31^st, 2008, 5:05pm

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/faultfinds.htm

Try this.

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by Highlander on Dec 31^st, 2008, 5:12pm

on 12/31/08 at 14:45:29, baglady wrote:

yesterday we recharged the battery and ran through the fault finder.

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by Highlander on Dec 31^st, 2008, 5:19pm

Fuel pump/fuel pump relay?? the relays are known for overheating and failing.

Can you try another relay or check the fuel is coming through ok?

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by scorpio_man on Dec 31^st, 2008, 5:25pm

hi there

what engine is it?

have you tried starting in neutral?

hth

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by Highlander on Dec 31^st, 2008, 5:28pm

2.3 on the bottom of the profile.

Wouldnt crank if it was inhibitor though Andrew, you thinking something else?

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by baglady on Jan 1^st, 2009, 1:04am

Thanks for your responses, guys.

on 12/31/08 at 17:19:11, Highlander wrote:

Fuel pump/fuel pump relay?? the relays are known for overheating and failing.

Can you try another relay or check the fuel is coming through ok?

I don't know how to check the fuel is coming through, please could you elaborate?

The relays all look nice and clean, haven't got a spare one to swap it with, so checking fuel first sounds like a good plan.

Happy new year everyone!

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by Highlander on Jan 1^st, 2009, 1:26am

Happy New Year ;D

below the inlet manifold are the fuel pipes, you can disconnect them and see if the fuel is coming through when the engine is cranked, or remove the rail with the injectors. being careful with the petrol of course..

you may be able to swap relays 17 and 19 with a similar one in the fusebox, cant remember which ones are the same off hand or even just bridge the terminals.

Nice and clean doesnt mean they are working ;)

you could be looking at various possibilities, clogged fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator or something completely different :)

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 1^st, 2009, 2:45pm

on 12/31/08 at 17:28:59, Highlander wrote:

2.3 on the bottom of the profile.

Wouldnt crank if it was inhibitor though Andrew, you thinking something else?

hi there

true, just a thought.

what is the PATS light on the dash doing as you try to start? it might be flashing a error code. :-/

also check the EDIS unit multiplug. it's behind the windscreen bottle on the inner wing.

hth

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by baglady on Jan 1^st, 2009, 4:38pm

The PATS light comes on for a few seconds with the ignition, then goes off. I think this is normal.

The EDIS unit multiplug is fine visually - clean and dry and undisturbed (till now).

Whatever the problem is I don't think it's going to be something I can fix myself - I'm going to get the car to the local experts for them to have a go.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 1^st, 2009, 5:18pm

hi there

there's also an issue with the wiring on the scorpio. check it carefully and pay particular attention to the throttle position sensor wiring.

i remember one member's car wouldn't start because the tps was shorting.

let us know how you get on.

regards

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by baglady on Jan 9^th, 2009, 9:12pm

Well, our local mechanic tracked down the problem and got it going again for us. It turned out to be a faulty crank sensor. £40 for the sensor and £60 labour.

Still, back on the road again now. :)

Thanks for your interest!

Title: Re: Turns over but doesn't start
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 10^th, 2009, 11:11am

hi there

glad you're back on the road. :)

we rarely see the crank shaft sensor failing now a days, it tends to get overlooked.

did the AE run a scan on the car? i'm sure there would be an error code stored for this.

hth