Car won't start?

Big Bopper · 04-18-2002, 10:09 PM

I can't get my Stang to fire ..... I'm hearing the fuel pump and fuel pump relay,I'm getting spark. I pulled a plug out and it had a little bit of fuel on it,you could see it and smell it a little.I had some grounding problems and wondered if maybe I did some damage to my computer? Is that possible? I put a new; battery,cap,rotor,plugs,leads,fuel filter,removed and flushed the fuel tank,fuel lines,brand spanking new starter,new flywheel ring gear,all new gaskets...ect...
When I try to start it I have to take the lead from the starter and touch the batt(+) because I fried my relay(it clicks but no pwr to starter post)

Am I doing something horribly wrong by doing this? After it turns over a few times (3-5 secs.) I can faintly smell fuel...and sometimes, as I stop turning it over it sounds like it fires,but not like it WILL start. I marked my timing so I know that OK....I'm totally stumped.....I'm close to having it towed to the shop

Thanks for the help guys.

Coupe5oh · 04-18-2002, 10:35 PM

man, that sounds frustrating, my friend just recently hooked his battery up backwards on accident, trunk mounted (not saying you did) but it fried some wires in his harness, and his regulator, he actually had to replace his msd, solenoid, and all kinds of stuff before he got it to crank, and just recently it broke down on him for no reason we know of, (its carb'd) but we are thinking he really fried something in the harness, which can be done especially on efi cars, sorry i really cant help, but just stay at it, and get multimeter in hand.

PKRWUD · 04-19-2002, 08:14 AM

Replace the solenoid first. Then inspect the fusible links attached to it. If you find one that feels soft, replace it. Still, do the solenoid first. You don't want to screw something else up, right? Do it right.

Take care,
-Chris

Big Bopper · 04-19-2002, 04:29 PM

Just came back from the parts store with a new starter relay,man things are more money in Canada!, or it could be the parts place...$45.00 !!! Would that explain it not wanting to flash up not having a good starter relay? What I'm doing is turning the ignition on and putting the starter cable directly to the (+) on the battery,...Is that a bad thing to do?

Hozer 88GTConv · 04-19-2002, 10:26 PM

I know you said that you had some fuel on your plugs, but can you hear your fuel pump prime?
Since you've replaced your relay, I was just wondering because of the little post on the realy for the fuel pump could be causing a prob.
Just a swag.
One more thing, I know you did the rag thing for TDC, but you said the balancer indicated you were off.
Most balancers are "idiot proof" and only go on one way with a guide cast into them.
I would consider doing the TDC check again and seeing if it will line up with your timing marks.

Import Slayer · 04-20-2002, 12:12 AM

im having starting trouble too the starter stays engaged too long, where is secheld in BC?

The Jester · 04-20-2002, 07:16 AM

Hey Bopper,

Geez, 45 bucks, thats crazy.. i hate these small town auto parts stores up here... I cant wait till canadian tire, that would have been a $12 part.. ****, you should pull your usual deal and re wrap it and take it back, $5 worth of gas and we could have gotten you one at andys house.. Ford parts everywhere...

Im competely stumped, Btw Hozer..Pump is primeing..
Darn car doesnt want to run.

Later Dood, its 4:20 tommorow!!!!!

gtsr515 · 04-20-2002, 08:58 PM

Its electrical thats for sure, are all grounds right?, how about firing order, TFI module?, fuel pump relay?, replace the starter solienoid?, battery grounds, etc.

Big Bopper · 04-22-2002, 03:38 AM

Hey thanks Guys for all your help and Ideas! I'm kinda embarassed to say but ......I had my distibutor in 180 deg. out

I guess that mark I put on there can go 2 ways

No wonder the marks on the balancer did'nt line up

It's like you get tunnel vision when your stuck on one problem LOL. I thought it was electrical !!!!

Thanks again everyone

PKRWUD · 04-22-2002, 06:14 AM

If it was 180 degrees off, the marks on the balancer would still line up perfectly. The balancer rotates two full times for every one rotation of the distributor. Double check your marks, and verify that you are identifying the correct cylinder as the #1 cyl.

Take care,
-Chris

04-18-2002, 10:35 PM	#2
Coupe5oh Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SanAntonio, Tx Posts: 734	man, that sounds frustrating, my friend just recently hooked his battery up backwards on accident, trunk mounted (not saying you did) but it fried some wires in his harness, and his regulator, he actually had to replace his msd, solenoid, and all kinds of stuff before he got it to crank, and just recently it broke down on him for no reason we know of, (its carb'd) but we are thinking he really fried something in the harness, which can be done especially on efi cars, sorry i really cant help, but just stay at it, and get multimeter in hand. __________________ Police package 5spd 90 Lx, Stock original motor, 3.27grs, BM fan, fms 10.5 clutch, D&D quadrant, and adjuster, ADS chip, 180 stat, mac cai, mac h-pipe, mac subframe connectors, ASP crank pulley, ripper shifter, 26x10.5 M/T sport pros welds. 246 hp according to analyzer Race weight: 3,120 E.t-13.57 with 26x10.50's e.t. streets. 1.88 60' mph- 99.92 mph

04-19-2002, 08:14 AM	#3
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Replace the solenoid first. Then inspect the fusible links attached to it. If you find one that feels soft, replace it. Still, do the solenoid first. You don't want to screw something else up, right? Do it right. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

04-19-2002, 04:29 PM	#4
Big Bopper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sechelt, B.C., Canada Posts: 200	Just came back from the parts store with a new starter relay,man things are more money in Canada!, or it could be the parts place...$45.00 !!! Would that explain it not wanting to flash up not having a good starter relay? What I'm doing is turning the ignition on and putting the starter cable directly to the (+) on the battery,...Is that a bad thing to do? __________________ 90' GT Drop-top, 88' 302,pulleys,full flowmasters (turndowns),Ported stock Intakes,twin flex-a-lites,Pro-5.0,3.55's,short belt,elctric water pump,timing bumped,taylor leads.(headers soon!)

04-19-2002, 10:26 PM	#5
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	do you hear your fuel prime? I know you said that you had some fuel on your plugs, but can you hear your fuel pump prime? Since you've replaced your relay, I was just wondering because of the little post on the realy for the fuel pump could be causing a prob. Just a swag. One more thing, I know you did the rag thing for TDC, but you said the balancer indicated you were off. Most balancers are "idiot proof" and only go on one way with a guide cast into them. I would consider doing the TDC check again and seeing if it will line up with your timing marks. __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

04-20-2002, 12:12 AM	#6
Import Slayer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: bc canada Posts: 48	im having starting trouble too the starter stays engaged too long, where is secheld in BC? __________________ now daddy ran whiskey in a big block dodge 89 5 speed LX 5.0 - off road h pipe, B&M short throw, 13* timing, blue bottle glasspacks, removed air silencer, accel super stock 8mm, bosch platinum 4's, no times

04-18-2002, 10:09 PM	#1
Big Bopper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sechelt, B.C., Canada Posts: 200	Car won't start? I can't get my Stang to fire ..... I'm hearing the fuel pump and fuel pump relay,I'm getting spark. I pulled a plug out and it had a little bit of fuel on it,you could see it and smell it a little.I had some grounding problems and wondered if maybe I did some damage to my computer? Is that possible? I put a new; battery,cap,rotor,plugs,leads,fuel filter,removed and flushed the fuel tank,fuel lines,brand spanking new starter,new flywheel ring gear,all new gaskets...ect... When I try to start it I have to take the lead from the starter and touch the batt(+) because I fried my relay(it clicks but no pwr to starter post) Am I doing something horribly wrong by doing this? After it turns over a few times (3-5 secs.) I can faintly smell fuel...and sometimes, as I stop turning it over it sounds like it fires,but not like it WILL start. I marked my timing so I know that OK....I'm totally stumped.....I'm close to having it towed to the shop Thanks for the help guys. __________________ 90' GT Drop-top, 88' 302,pulleys,full flowmasters (turndowns),Ported stock Intakes,twin flex-a-lites,Pro-5.0,3.55's,short belt,elctric water pump,timing bumped,taylor leads.(headers soon!)

04-20-2002, 07:16 AM	#7
The Jester Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: gibsons bc canada Posts: 4	Cant wait for canadian tire to open.... Hey Bopper, Geez, 45 bucks, thats crazy.. i hate these small town auto parts stores up here... I cant wait till canadian tire, that would have been a $12 part.. ****, you should pull your usual deal and re wrap it and take it back, $5 worth of gas and we could have gotten you one at andys house.. Ford parts everywhere... Im competely stumped, Btw Hozer..Pump is primeing.. Darn car doesnt want to run. Later Dood, its 4:20 tommorow!!!!!

04-20-2002, 08:58 PM	#8
gtsr515 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sunny, Hot, Sebring, Florida Posts: 725	Its electrical thats for sure, are all grounds right?, how about firing order, TFI module?, fuel pump relay?, replace the starter solienoid?, battery grounds, etc. __________________ Remember...2nd place is 1st place for losers!

04-22-2002, 03:38 AM	#9
Big Bopper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sechelt, B.C., Canada Posts: 200	Moron Alert! Hey thanks Guys for all your help and Ideas! I'm kinda embarassed to say but ......I had my distibutor in 180 deg. out I guess that mark I put on there can go 2 ways No wonder the marks on the balancer did'nt line up It's like you get tunnel vision when your stuck on one problem LOL. I thought it was electrical !!!! Thanks again everyone __________________ 90' GT Drop-top, 88' 302,pulleys,full flowmasters (turndowns),Ported stock Intakes,twin flex-a-lites,Pro-5.0,3.55's,short belt,elctric water pump,timing bumped,taylor leads.(headers soon!)

04-22-2002, 06:14 AM	#10
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	If it was 180 degrees off, the marks on the balancer would still line up perfectly. The balancer rotates two full times for every one rotation of the distributor. Double check your marks, and verify that you are identifying the correct cylinder as the #1 cyl. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

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