Engine not running

We've checked the fuel pressure to the fuel rail (good) as well as the position of the timing gear to ensure it's in the correct position. We've also checked continuity of the wiring between the PCM and both the camshaft and crank positioning sensors. We hooked up the test computer and get no RPM reading when cranking the engine. The last thing we can think of is to test both sensors. Is there a recommendation for testing those sensors?

I need help. My car recently would not start following normal drive the night before. I have strong spark, fuel pump spins. I have replaced fuel filter and spark plugs, but sill no start. Bought code scanner but shows no stored codes. It used to show two codes 171,174 (System to lean bank 1, system to lean bank 2) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[quote:5b7c7f11a4="klally"]Other Category problem
1999 Ford Contour 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 39000 miles
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I need help. My car recently would not start following normal drive the night before. I have strong spark, fuel pump spins. I have replaced fuel filter and spark plugs, but sill no start. Bought code scanner but shows no stored codes. It used to show two codes 171,174 (System to lean bank 1, system to lean bank 2) Any help would be greatly appreciated.[/quote:5b7c7f11a4]
Check fuses
check fuel pressure hearing fuel pump doesn’t mean good fuel pressure
try to remove the cover off the throttle and spray starting fluid place the tube cover back and try to start
if it start your have a fuel delivery issue
check for injector pulse

check mass air flow sensor

we have checked everything mentioned in the "won't crank" article. battery, coilpak, spark plugs, fuses, starter, fuel pump, altinater. What is next? It acts like it wants to start, but it's not getting any fire.

Have you tried security system (if equipped)? Are you getting spark and/or fuel injector pulse? If not then I would look at the crank position sensor. Does the key have a chip in it?

"When I push the gas to accelerate my car would sputter at about 35 mph. Then one day I stopped at a stop sign and my car died and wouldn't start again. It turns over, it has power it just seems like its not getting gas to the engine to be able to start. Am I right? Do I need a fuel pump or a fuel filter?

Do below

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem,If you can hear the fuel pump come On- check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure tester designed for your fuel system to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pick-up strainer/fuel pump/pressure regulator and also listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light and see if it flashing, If you don't hear the fuel pump, check the fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay-Depends on what type ignition system is yours,No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, camshaft and crankshaft position sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply to your vehicle disregard it meaning if it doesn't come with one ignore it and continue testing

My car is a 99' ford contour with 133,000 miles. I've had this car for about 5 months now and it hasn't really giving me any problems until lately. There are times when I'm at a complete stop and the car sounds likes it wants to die out on me and when I press on the gas to drive off, I have to press lightly because if I push to hard on the gas it stutters and turns off on me. For the past week, the car hasn't started on. When I turn the key in the ignition to start the car it doesn't make any noise, not even a clicking sound. My battery works because all my lights turn on, I'm thinking maybe it's a fuel pump or something in that area. What do you think? Please help me!

No crank at all/nothing/nada:

Could be the starter,starter relay,park and neutral switch/transmission position switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good. Note:If it doesn't apply disregard.

Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Ford Contour 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive 75000 miles
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Sometimes when you turm the key nothing happens. If you leave the key in the on position and try in about 30 seconds the the engine will crank and start. I thought it may be something with the ford security system. Or I thought it may be the chip in the key. I dont know thats why I am asking. Any help would be appricated. Thanks

ford usually don’t work this way
if u have any electronic with the key or in the key chain remove it and try
I would check the starter and solenoid
too good luck

The engine is turning over, fuel is getting to the carb,, but it does not appear to be getting a spark.

No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

Could u tell me whats wrong? I know my plugs are bad could that be the problem? I hear the fuel pump, it would die on us why driving and it wouldn't start for a couple days at a time.

Sometimes it would start using starting fluid spray but now want even start with that.

Start by checking to see if you have both spark and fuel to the engine. One will most likely be missing. The idea that it would start with starting fluid leads me to believe the problem is with the fuel system.

car won't start and has code of p1383. what does this mean?

take a look at the chart.

variable valve timing solenoid usually fails from lack of changing the oil

Roy

do the camshaft position sensor need to be replaced?

no, you need to follow the chart and checks for the vvt solenoid

Roy

will changing the oil help? also what is a vct and where do i find it?

Car will crank but not start after driving for a while, then shutting car off. Will crank just fine but not start. When first turning over key the fuel pump doesn't make a noise like usual. However after sitting and cooling off 30 to 45 minutes it will start working again. Always starts great when cold. Doesn't happen every time. Have checked emergency fuel cut off switch and it has not been activated. No fuel leaks noted. Unable to test fuel pressure. Have replaced fuel filter. All fuses are good. Not sure about fuel relay. Any suggestions?

It sounds like the fuel pump may be overheating and seizing up. You would need a fuel pressure gauge and electrical testing equipment to verify that.

Can test electrical just didn't have meter with me when it happened. Should buy a pressure gauge, work on enough cars!! Thanks for your help.

I have had this Contour for about 4 years now and its been good apart from air intake gaskets going bad (I live in Southern AZ, go figure). Today I had to let my fiance use the car cuz hers was in the shop. She picked me up from work and we got in the car. When she started it there was a high pitched whine and rattling noise. It seems to be coming from the front of the car.

I opened the hood and listened while it was running and didn't see anything amiss and the engine didn't seem to be shaking at all. We turned it off so I could check it and then when I tried to start it at first it wouldn't start. Then I tried again and it started with no problem.

I then drove it home and the sound slowly got quieter and by the time I got home it was about 1/4 the volume as originally. I didn't have any acceleration problems and it seemed to run as if nothing was wrong. I will take it to a mechanic but I want to see if I can pinpoint the problem first and see what my options are.

So update. I decided to go look at the engine again and listen to try to get a better idea of what it could be. Then I tried to start it. Well everything turns on so I know its not the battery. But the engine wont turn on. Lights, radio everything works but when I try to start, nothing not even a clicking sound. I tried replacing the starter fuse as well as double checked the relay for the starter and it looked fine. I guess when I have time I will check the spark plugs.

Is the starter turning the engine?

[quote:6d00b74a9d="Jacobandnickolas"]Is the starter turning the engine?[/quote:6d00b74a9d]

I appreciate someone finally responding but I fixed it. And it was the starter. Had a feeling.

Got the old one out and put a new one in. Looked inside the old one and the teeth were shredded. I guess thats what the sound came from because now it starts great and no sounds.

Still appreciate you reply.

That is what it sounded like to me, and why I asked that question. I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you. In the future, if you make any donation amount, your name gets put on priority and will be answered within 24 hours.

Regardless, I'm sorry about the delay, and I'm glad you got it fixed.

Take care and let us know if you have questions in the future.

Joe

My car has almost 200 thousand miles on it and recently when I turned off the engine briefly, it wouldn't restart. It is not the battery, which was just replaced, and I heard a humming noise from the engine and then a clicking when I tried to start the car. Prior to this the car had been stalling occasionally in the middle of driving, but infrequently, and otherwise was running very well. I have been told it could be the alternator or the starter: are those easy or expensive to replace? How do I find out? Thanks.

Both the alternator and the starter aren't terribly expensive... and though they are buried in the engine compartment, they are not horribly hard to change out. It's not too hard to test whether or not the alternator is bad. If the red "Batt" light is on constantly, that is an indication the battery is not being charged by the alternator. If you're not sure, you can always grab a electrical muli-tester and test the output at the alternator itself. Unfortunately I don't know any quick and easy tests for a starter other than to turn the key and see if it cranks smoothly, consistantly and strongly.

Does the check engine light come on? If it does, then the computer has set one or more fault codes, and if you able to scan the computer, that could give you an idea of why the car is behaving as it is. Good luck.

Neither the battery light or the check engine light is on, the battery is still working. The only sound when I try to turn the car is a clicking noise, I think it has to be the starter. Thanks so much for your suggestions.

Take a hammer and rap on the starter while someone else cranks it, sometimes this joustles the brushes enough to get it to turn over and confirm the starter is bad.

Car wont start all it does when you turn the ignition is click. I poped the hood and the positive side of the battery terminal is covered with corrosion.

The clicking indicates a weak battery. Try cleaning the terminals and making sure they are tight. If that doesn't help, have the battery load tested. Most parts stores will do it for free.

Let me know what you find.
Joe