cranks but will not start

sounds like you have very weak fuel pump. first thing you have to do is check the fuel pressure it should be about 45 psi. try checking fuel filter first and see if it is plugged.

This guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down these guides and report back.

Check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge this will give you an idea is to what's happening with fuel filter/pressure regulator and fuel pump-get it done and comeback with the pressures that is with and w/o vacuum at the regulator-

91 ford tempo GL 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive wont start. has fuel to the fuel pressure regulator but when you unhook the return line and start the fuel pump no fuel comes out of the return line. it is getting fuel to the regulator for sure and has spark. car cranks fine and has brand new fuel filter. after trying to start it for a few hours it has fuel in the oil so it is spraying in cylinders

Best check if the injectors are pulsing also the fuel pressure if its within specs.

Also go to this link: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

could be bad regulator dumping the fuel into engine thru vacuum line?

Engine Mechanical problem
1991 Ford Tempo 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My vehicle appears to have everything in order and will not start. I turn the key and it makes a whine and then is silent so i attempt to crank it over and it makes a plunk sound and i am wondering if it is the starter or the solenoid. Please help.

the whine (not screech) is the starter spinning without engaging flywheel. the plunk is the solenoid working without the starter spinning. some fords(your yr range) have 2 solenoids. 1 on upper inner fender drivers side, and another on starter. so 1 may work and the other not. usually the brushes wear out on the solenoid equipped starters of your year car. you can remove starter and have it tested or test it yourself. sometimes it's just a matter of loose/corroded wiring/connectors.

cranks but will not fire. drove earlier in the day started fine then later wouldn't fire.

what to check?

check for fuel and fuel pump
check for spark

what's the history on car.has it been running fine latlely?fords are notorious for coil wire problems.(sudden)check inside end connectors for rust/corrosion.clean grease/wd40 or replace.if you have good spark check a sparkplug to see it's tip/gap condition.i had a tempo that would eventually repeatedly develope a no start condition and changing the sparkplugs was always the cure.even when they looked decent.mostly a once a year cold weather event on a car with very high mileage.i only use bosch platinums by the way.

my starter slowly died. it kept starting slower and slower until finally it wont start and I know the battery is good. Is it the starter that is bad or something else and how do I fix this problem?

i would suggest that you have the battery and the starter tested and if they test good i would then have the alternator tested.also make sure that battery connections and grounds are clean and tight.

I just went through a similar circumstance with my '91 Tempo...When you turn the key over do you hear a clicking sound? If so, then it could be your starter sylenoid, which is quick and easy to replace..or it could be the starter, which is what was wrong with mine...Also check your alternator belt to see if its the problem...It made the battery light come on and stay on until I replaced it as well.

Oct. 24/09


Hello,

I was wondering if someone has some experience with “1990 Ford Tempo” it is “model L”.
2.3 L, automatic tran. Vin # 1FABP35X1LK234531. Odometer reading is 127,000 km (78,000 miles). The problem is that it doesn’t start and the problem wasn’t gradual, but all of a sudden… It was working fine one minute and then not starting the next. It sounds like it will, but doesn’t kick over… It doesn’t seem to be firing in the cylinder.
The vehicle has now sat for 4 months and the problem is exactly the same (yes, no secret fix-it gremlins snuck into my garage and fixed the problem…hmmmm). I mention this as it eliminates the idea that it could be flooded. I have confirmed that there is spark going to the cylinders (spark plugs). It also seems that there may be gas present in the cylinders as I can smell it when I remove the spark plugs and they seem wet.
Are there some easy checks that I can do to confirm that it is not “fuel delivery” related?

I found two trouble codes from the “key on engine off” section of the codes and they were

21 – Coolant temperature sensor out of specified range and
Engine temperature coolant out of specified range.
24 - Air charge temperature low

If this sensor isn’t functioning properly, could that cause my engine not to start?
If this sensor is functioning properly, could that mean that the thermostat is not working and could that cause my engine not to start?
In the old days, the engine would have still started… but perhaps the (EEC) computer that controls the throttle mechanisms will not let the Air/fuel reach the cylinder.

I had another tempo (1990, but a manual tran.) that had the same codes come up 21, 24 only the car would turn over and run for a short period of time (3-6 minutes) and then die. The problem then was an ignition module. I don’t think it is this as I am getting spark at the cylinder, but could this also be what needs replacing?

Any advice will be helpful,

Thanks,

Chris

put new plugs and a new cpu temp sensor and try it again. i have solved more no start problems with tempos by just putting new plugs it makes me confounded! also let cylinders dry out before put new plugs in afterr remove old 1s. have you tried holding pedal to floor when starting?

You are refering to the (code 21) – replace Coolant temperature sensor? I had replaced the spark plugs already. And "yes" I had held the gas petal all the way down.

Replacing the Coolant temperature sensor probably involves a bit of work - removing some anti-freeze etc. It is located on the same casting as the thermostat; isn't it?

Is there a possibility it is "fuel related". I can do a quick check if the gas is making it at least to the fuel filter, as suggested elsewhere in this forum.
Could I also check if the fuel injectors are squirting by taking out those "new"spark plugs and seeing if they are wet and have gas on them?

Thanks "fixitmr"for the comment, by the way!

Chris

there's no way to tell actual milage on a tempo since the odometer rolls over at 99,000. i have a high mileage tempo(200,000+) that began starting hard(hold to floor) and then not at all and i got it running by putting a cut off switch on fuel pump circuit. dont know why it's getting to much fuel but holding the switch till it starts then letting go works! so if you have wet cylinders try disabling pump and holding to floor till it starts? if it starts and runs for a second then for some reason you are getting to much fuel at start. there's a safety cutoff switch in trunk drivers side behind liner. pull plug. or a think there's a relay/fuse too.

November 6/09

I don't have mileage, but rather kilometers!
you got it running by putting a cut off switch on fuel pump circuit. if I'm getting too much fuel at start, wouldn't that mean that the injectors are not working properly?
Or possibly, that the pressure in the fuel line was too much(ie: greater than 65 psi)?
what was your fuel pressure like when you decided to put in the switch?
Where is the relay located?
Where is the relay fuse located?

Reluctant to keep changing things that are not the problem. I would prefer to properly diagnose the problem first.

Thanks,

Chris

tempo 1990 - not starting

anyone else have any ideas... it's still not starting!

hi, i have a 1990 ford tempo 4 cyl with a new battery and it was tuned up 5t months ago. when i turn the key to start it nothing happens no click, no turn over, nothing. the lights work and the radio works. can you tell me where the starter is and any ideas as to what could be causing this.
also my heater heats up and blows hot air after idling for a few minutes in the cold weather but when i start to drive the temp gauge goes down to cold and it blows cold air.
any suggestions would be great
thanks

did you deactivate fuel pump and try holding to the floor? if you are getting GOOD spark that should do it. it should sputter or run for a few seconds. if you cant deactivate electrically you can separate hose at filter and put in jar or can. i would find and trip/pull plug on crash relay in trunk behind trunk liner brace on drivers side.

**No crank at all/nothing/nada when key is engage to starting position

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

I was originally having a problem with rough idle and occasional stalling at a stop or from switching from drive to park all after the car had reached operating temp...I have replaced, plugs, wires, MAP sensor, Idle air control valve, throttle position sensor. I hadnt drove it in a few days and came out to start it and t wouldnt start, it turns over and cranks but no start,...i do not hear the fuel pump hum and I pulled theline off the fuel filter and got no fuel, I also checked for spark by pulling one of the wires and inserting a plug to see if I got spark and nothing,...inertia swith is not triped and I also tried replacing the ignition switch to someones advice to no avail. Somewhere I was reading had suggested a possible culprit being a camshaft position sensor...well I bought what should be the correct part but can not for the life of me find where it is located on the car. Any insight or help is appreciate

check to see if your inertia switch is engaged may be reason of no fuel pressure, no fuel no start.if this has a distributor there is no cam sensor it would be inside distributor

Inertia switch has not been tripped. Would the ignition module or something with th distributor be a potential cause of the problem?

yes it cold be if no spark but scan for codes as well.

I have a 1990 ford tempo that will not start. It will turn over good but won't start. I have replaced the fuel pump, starter, battery, spark plugs, ignition module, coil, cyclender, what else can I do to get it to run?

Hello,

Ok, I don't see were you changed the Cap and Rotor. Take a look at the inside of the cap, look at the electrodes if they are covered with corrotion replace it and also replace the rotor.

Also not sure what CYCLENDER is.


.

did you check for spark at the plugs? do you smell gas at the tailpipe? when was the car running last? did it just suddenly quit?