Ford Forums banner

88 T-bird no start--- HELP

1K views 5 replies 0 participants last post by  KjunRaven 
G
#1 ·
Okay I am lost and have no idea where to start with troubleshooting this
problem and need help. 2 weeks ago had a batt drain problem and fixed it
with a new batt and alt..... Anyways 2 days ago went to start up and the
car would just crank but not start, the starter is cranking the motor
strong but not starting it.... The nighttime rolls around and I try it
again and bammm it starts with no complications.... Next morning start it
for work and again no start just a strong crank, that night try again and
starts no problem, even shut down a few time and left sitting for an hour
or so and restarted no problem, is my car a vampire with fear of the day
or something but it is stressing me out, I plan to pull the starter and
have it tested but I really doubt it is that... Also tonight I noticed a
loud whinning sound coming from the bottom of the motor/ Aft center, near
the tranny, went away in about 5 minutes but it didn't sound healthy......
Note also just changed plugs, wires, cap and rotor, checked my spark and
timing and all cylinders are sparking on time and strong.... Also put in
Premium Gas for the first time owning the car, I'm not sure if bad gas
would cause this or if the gas is to rich..... doubtful but hey the only
stupid question is the one not asked.... If anyone has seen these symptoms
before or has any thoughts on causes or where to start please help me out
here because right now I am lost on where to go after I test my starter.
Thanks in advanced,
Tony
 
See less See more
G
#2 ·
"kojmorbid" <kojmorbid@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Anyways 2 days ago went to start
> up and the car would just crank but not start, the starter is cranking
> the motor strong but not starting it.... The nighttime rolls around
> and I try it again and bammm it starts with no complications.... Next
> morning start it for work and again no start just a strong crank, that
> night try again and starts no problem, even shut down a few time and
> left sitting for an hour or so and restarted no problem,
> ... Also tonight I noticed a loud whinning sound coming from the
> bottom of the motor/ Aft center, near the tranny, went away in about 5
> minutes but it didn't sound healthy...... Note also just changed
> plugs, wires, cap and rotor, checked my spark and timing and all
> cylinders are sparking on time and strong....


I know you have spark, but this is a usual check list:

First listen for the fuel pump to run when switching on the key. it
should run 1 - 2 seconds.
- No? Check relay near ECM behind passenger side kick panel, may also be
fuel pump

Crank the engine, watch tach for slight bounce while cranking
- No? watch for 1 wiggle when turning ign on, shows power to dist, if no
bounce on crank, probable TFI fail

If no start, first floor gas pedal (feeds less gas) and crank again

If still no start, pump pedal (feeds more gas) while cranking

--
Yeh, I'm a Krusty old Geezer, putting up with my 'smartass' is the price
you pay..DEAL with it!
 
G
#3 ·
"kojmorbid" wrote

> the starter is cranking the motor strong but not starting it....
> Next morning start it for work and again no start just a strong crank,
> I plan to pull the starter and have it tested but I really doubt it is that...


If it cranks like it should, then don't bother pulling the starter. It's just an
electric motor that spins the engine. It doesn't actually "start" the engine.
That's what the other parts do... fuel pump, injectors, computer, distributor, etc.

Think of it like a piece of rope... if your lawn mower won't start no matter how
many times you pull, you wouldn't suspect the rope of being the problem, right?

Follow Backyard's list and get back to us.
 
G
#4 ·
In article <ashhf.130455$S4.59353@edtnps84>,
"MasterBlaster" <Nobody's.Home@My.Place> wrote:

> "kojmorbid" wrote
>
> > the starter is cranking the motor strong but not starting it....
> > Next morning start it for work and again no start just a strong crank,
> > I plan to pull the starter and have it tested but I really doubt it is
> > that...

>



Sounds like it is back to basics you have to have 3 things to make it
start:

Air
Gas
Spark

I would suggest starting out checking Spark then move onto the fuel we
know there is air! My bet is someplace in the spark part of this
process like the coil there is a problem! If you haver spark move onto
the fuel portion and make sure it is getting fuel. As stated before
check to see that you have the fuel pump running. When you turn on the
ignition you can hear the fuel pump run for a couple of seconds. If you
don't hear it you might want to first check the reset button for the
fuel pump in the trunk before going any further reset it and try again!

Good Luck and let us know what it was when you get it started!

1988 5.0 Sport since New 155,000 miles!
Member of the International Thunderbird Club
http://www.intl-tbirdclub.com/
 
G
#5 ·
Re: 88 T-bird no start--- HELP/Update

Okay I followed your advice and this is what I've found. I went to start my
car and it took longer than usual to crank over on the inital start,
afterwards it crancked over no problem over the course of the day.
Anyways there is still a problem, no start this morning
(1) My fuel pump is operating
(2) My Tach is bouncing
(3) My Starter solenoid is working
(4) Inertia Swith is working
(5) Inspected wires and plugs, New and look good
(6) I noticed when running every so often it would bog at the exhaust,
also while sitting in the drivers seat when I raise the RPM to about 1800
I can hear what sounds like the sound of sucking the last few drops of a
drink through a straw, it was loudest near the central part of the car,
this sound will come and go but only happens when I apply the gas

Okay I know I am getting spark, I know the fuel is being pumped to the
motor and the starter is cranking strong.
Now let me ask you guys - could this be just bad gas, I switched from
normally using Regular gas to a Premium fill up, would this cause an
issue??? Also before I decide to replace my fuel injector which I am not
really sure on how to do what else should I look for, what other cheap
part can I replace to troubleshoot this??? Can this be caused from a
failing sensor??? Please guide me to the next step, thanks so far, you
guys are helping me out,
Tony
 
G
#6 ·
"kojmorbid" <kojmorbid@yahoo.com> wrote in
news:310c39b007e21f44fa05ab2133954ab6@localhost.talkaboutautos.com:

> Okay I am lost and have no idea where to start with troubleshooting
> this problem and need help. 2 weeks ago had a batt drain problem and
> fixed it with a new batt and alt..... Anyways 2 days ago went to start
> up and the car would just crank but not start, the starter is cranking
> the motor strong but not starting it.... The nighttime rolls around
> and I try it again and bammm it starts with no complications.... Next
> morning start it for work and again no start just a strong crank, that
> night try again and starts no problem, even shut down a few time and
> left sitting for an hour or so and restarted no problem, is my car a
> vampire with fear of the day or something but it is stressing me out,
> I plan to pull the starter and have it tested but I really doubt it is
> that... Also tonight I noticed a loud whinning sound coming from the
> bottom of the motor/ Aft center, near the tranny, went away in about 5
> minutes but it didn't sound healthy...... Note also just changed
> plugs, wires, cap and rotor, checked my spark and timing and all
> cylinders are sparking on time and strong.... Also put in Premium Gas
> for the first time owning the car, I'm not sure if bad gas would
> cause this or if the gas is to rich..... doubtful but hey the only
> stupid question is the one not asked.... If anyone has seen these
> symptoms before or has any thoughts on causes or where to start please
> help me out here because right now I am lost on where to go after I
> test my starter. Thanks in advanced,
> Tony
>


EASIEST way to confirm if fuel related 'cranks but wont start'........spray
starter fluid in air cleaner tube while other person turns key to
'start'......if engine runs as long as you spray and dies when you quit
start checking pump pres., and inj. pulse...........if engine wont start
with ether you aint working on a fuel prob at this time..........
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top