No Start Condition

Hey all,

Ok, need some help here asap. Just spent $400 on the new rad/thermostat/alignment...would prefer to avoid spending more than another $50.

Car ran fine yesterday, no problems. Sat out overnight, we had very light snowfall ( just giving you conditions ).

No start, will crank and will turnover...even go up to about 200-300 rpms...then will immediately die.

I can hear the fuel pump come on. I have oil pressure. Battery is fine. Starter sounds fine, cranks fine.

New autolite sparkplugs properly gapped. Plug wires have always worked well, and are only 12-13k old. Fuel filter is the same, air filter is new K&N...

Only thing I've never replaced in 14000 miles and don't know when it was last replaced is the distributor cap/rotor area, and the ignition coil I guess.

Does this sound like those parts? It's freezing out, I have ratchets and screwdrivers and wrenches, and I have until about 4:30-5 to fix this hopefully.

Any ideas? Thanks a ton. This car is becoming a PITA, moreso than usual. (:

-Joe

P.s. Oh yeah, I can't remember if this is normal...but when the key is in the on position but not started, the engine light stays on. Of course I forget if that's normal now (:

[This message has been edited by JO346820 (edited 01-27-2003).]

If the car ran fine when you parked it and the only thing that changed is the temperature you may have a partial fuel line blockage due to frozen water in the gas. If this is the problem the car will have to thaw out before it's going to run right. If you get it thawed and running put some dry gas in it and keep the tank fairly full

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

I had the same problem with a 77 Volvo and mechanical fuel injection. Return fuel line to the tank froze solid and the car would not start.

I'm not sure, but FUEL might freeze with these temps! according to "weatherbug" here in West Chester, PA, it is 13 deg F at 3:15 in the afternoon... BTW, JO346820, where are you from? I work in W.C., and live outside Coatesville...

Keith

Mine always does that after sitting out in the cold overnight. It'll turn over and act like it wants to start but die before it ever reaches 1k RPMs to idle. Then after repeated key turns and bumping the ignition to charge the fuel pump a couple times, all it wants to do is spin the flywheel. The only way it'll start is if I feather the gas pedal while turning it over. I think it's possibly the IAC acting up, but I know it'll only start if I bump the pedal.

Try to start it with your foot about 1/8 of the way to the floor. If for some reason the IAB died, or became electrically disconnected, it will not start without some "help" from you to let in more air.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 00 Windstar (wifes vehicle)

Update:

Despite the temperature in the teens and a wind chill in the negatives, I replaced the distributor rotor with motorcraft, and the cap with borg warner ( i know, i know )...

Still the same thing. I peeled back the cover to the timing belt, it looks like it's in the proper place, has some cracks in the belt surface and I think it needs a new one in a few thousand miles...but one thing at a time.

Let the car sit in the sun today to maybe warm up a little, still nothing. Going to also try the feathering of the gas pedal, as suggested.

I have an almost full tank of gas ( 15/18 ). Ran fine yesterday...what do I do if it's just the cold keeping it from running?

I've got about 18 hours before the car needs to run or I'm in trouble. (:

-Joe

Feathering the gas didn't work, WOT didn't work, midway gas didn't work. No smells are coming from under the engine, but I've cranked easy and i've cranked hard and I don't like doing this to my bird. Poor lil girl, all she wants is to go fast (:

[This message has been edited by JO346820 (edited 01-27-2003).]

Could it be an ignition switch? Thats how mine was acting when my ignition switch went but it didnt just happen overnight though.

I had the same problem with my car, and it turned out to be the throttle position sensor(TPS). It is a black plastic thing on the throttle body and it has two wires to it. Unplug the sensor, then try to start your car. It doesnt run real smooth use the gas pedal to keep it running if you have to, but the engine will start if this is the problem. It is very easy to try and it doesnt cost anything. A Ford mechanic showed me this after I replaced the fuel pump, i learned real quick you have to troubleshoot this car before you buy anything, unless your loaded with cash. Good luck. You could try to spray ether in the TB and see if it tries to start, that will tell you if it is a fuel related problem (cold weather).

*embarrased silence*

Turns out my battery froze, was giving enough juice to turnover and even give a few hundred rpms, but not enough to hold on.

First time it ever happened to me ( have seen it happen a few times )...guess I didn't look for the right things.

So I'm looking to replace the battery now, looking for something that starts up with the flick of a wrist, and weighs no more than 30 pounds. (:

Any suggestions?

Sear's Diehard