foggysail

I gave my 96 Coougar to my son last winter. About a month ago the engine light came on and I finally got him to use a computer to read the OBD code. The code was P0401, related to EGR not getting enough feedback or something. Car seemed to still run OK.

Last night he was towed home. The car had zero power, noisey as if the timing is way, way advanced and missing cylinder firings. I had him put the computer on it again but this time he had some trouble with port settings and he screwed up! He reset the car's computer. Codes???? Who knows. Today I got into it and found a missing vacuum hose on one of the EGR pressure feedback sensor. I fixed that thought the problem was solved.

Started the car, sounded like a bucket of bolts in a shaking barrel. I lent my timing light, don't have any codes so I am searching for ideas. Oh-- son said the problem came about all of a sudden.

ANYBODY???

Foggy

EDIT-- V6 engine

 

backlash1

Hi Foggy
So, car misfiring, no power and pinging, and it started all of a sudden, correct? Before going too far I would remove the fuel filter and take a fuel sample and check for possible fuel contamination. Also, you could ask your son if this started happening after he filled up at a petrol station. Let us know how you go. cheers
Marc

foggysail

The car now will not start. The fuel is at 1/4 tank, it was filled over 200 miles ago.

I hate guessing but I am about to make a wild guess on this with my wallet. The plan is to visit a bone yard and purchase a used coil pack and just try it. The problem seems electrical but geez, a coil pack is reliable and part of me says this is not the problem.

Foggy

backlash1

Yes. But is the fuel contaminated or not? Remember water and other crap not soluble in gasoline will separate and deposit over time, until it's sucked by the pump.
If you want to test your coil all you need is an old plug that still works, then open the gap in the electrode to 2-3 mm, wrap (or preferably solder) a wire to the base of the plug and ground it (to the negative battery terminal). Then remove each individual plug wire, hook it up to your "tester" and crank the engine. It should give you a bright whiteish spark and similar for all cylinders. This will save you from guessing. cheers
marc

foggysail

Backlash--

I fully agree with you thought about contamination. I know water will give the conditions the car now exhibits. I will pull the fuel line off after I find it and see what I can.

More later..... proably going to be next week. I am going to be tied up over the weekend but I wil post all I find.

Foggy

foggysail

Update:

Fuel rail has 40 psi pressure. Drained a soda bottle full and did not see any contamination or water.

Put a timing light on each spark plug, light indicates plugs are sparking so the coil block is probably OK.

Because there is spark, I thinnk the crank positioner is OK but who knows.

Tried to remove the EGR valve but could not remove the sample pipe.

TOMORROW!!! CAR IS BEING TOWED A GARAGE. I will report back what they find if they are able to get the thing running.

Foggy

foggysail

THIS PROBLEM COMPLETELY WAS BEYOND MY SKILL!!! The solution came about only after I had the car towed to a repair shop where someone who knows more than I resolved the problems.

No, the problem was not fuel related, no it was not ignition related, no it was not EGR, crank sensor nor cam position sensor related.


As I mentioned above, this problem defied my skill level to resolve!!! IT TURNED OUT TO BE A COMPLETLY PLUGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

This is an important find, it might help others and I needed to share the solution.

Foggy