Car won't start

Topic: Car won't start (Read 742 times) previous topic - next topic

Car won't start

April 03, 2007, 03:06:24 PM

Hello, I have had a strange thing happen to me today. I start my '87 Cougar and set the timing, spark plugs, full tune up, etc and the car runs perfectly. I shut the car off, I went to start it 5 minutes later and it won't fire up. I have fuel pressure and I put a screw driving into a spark plug boot crank the motor and it snaps away, so I know I have spark. What gives?

Car won't start

Reply #1 – April 03, 2007, 04:23:28 PM

How did you set the timing and too what???
Did you pull the spout out and set it between 10-14deg btdc???
I'll make a guess and say your timing is way off.
If the spout connector is not pulled and you try to set the timing it will be way off possibly not allowing the car to start when shut off.
Did you mark the distributor's old position before moving it????

Car won't start

Reply #2 – April 03, 2007, 04:29:49 PM

Yes, I set the timing with the SPOUT off and set the initial timing at 14 degrees. That is what has me stumped. I've look for anything unplugged. After I did the tune up, it started fine and ran perfect, then nothing.

Car won't start

Reply #3 – April 10, 2007, 03:54:14 PM

Okay, I FINALLY figured out what was going on and got the car started. When I was doing a tune up I also changed the radiator fluid and I remembered that the water hose got away from me for just a second. Apparently there is a big gray connector in front of the drivers side shock tower down by the battery. This connector has 8 wires to it. When I pulled it apart there was big-time moisture in it. I blew it out, put some di-electric grease on the connector and it fired right up. What is strange is that I was getting spark, but it was erratic, I guess not enough to fire the car I suppose.