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Topic: spark...check,gas...check (Read 1808 times) previous topic - next topic

spark...check,gas...check

So my car has been parked for a while. I know that it is getting spark and gas but it wont start. It turns over but it dosent try. I tried shooting it with starting fluid but it made no diffrence. long story short I think that it is some relay or something to the ignition got tripped or something. What do you guys think?
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: spark...check,gas...check

Reply #1
How do you know your getting spark?
Did you check at the coil or spark plugs?
You may have a bad coil wire or bad rotor,possibly something in the distrubutor cap.
How do you know your getting fuel?
Did you pull the line at the filter and turn the key to see if your getting fuel out?
Does it shoot out or dribble,it should come out quickly.
It sounds to me that if you tried to start it with some other type of fuel and it did not even try to start, that you have a lack of spark at the plugs.

Re: spark...check,gas...check

Reply #2
Quote from: dominator
How do you know your getting spark?
Did you check at the coil or spark plugs?
You may have a bad coil wire or bad rotor,possibly something in the distrubutor cap.
How do you know your getting fuel?
Did you pull the line at the filter and turn the key to see if your getting fuel out?
Does it shoot out or dribble,it should come out quickly.
It sounds to me that if you tried to start it with some other type of fuel and it did not even try to start, that you have a lack of spark at the plugs.

I ran a timing light to the wires so I think that I can rule out dist. and coil wire. I can smell gas, and it will flood from me trying to start it. even if I didnt have any gas it wouldnt try with starting fluid either.
I guess that I will have to pull the plugs in the marrow and at least look at them
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: spark...check,gas...check

Reply #3
Don't use the timing light,it's not very accurate.
pull the coil wire at the coil and turn it over,see if the coil sparks.
Then pull the individual plug wires and hold or lay them near the block,see if you get a spark jumping out of each one.
If all that is ok then do what i said and unclip the line at the fuel filter,and have someone turn the key to the on position wihile you watch,see if the fuel shoots out or just dribbles,you may be smelling fuel but that dose not mean your getting enough pressure.
In theory all an engine needs to run is spark,fuel,air and compression.

Re: spark...check,gas...check

Reply #4
Also check for fuel leaks. What's strange is if you sprayed starting fluid in the throttle body, if you were getting spark, it should have started.  Could be a bad TFI. :dunno:
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

 

Re: spark...check,gas...check

Reply #5
want a easy check take out a few of the plugs and check if there soked wet with starting fluid.