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OT car trouble

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4020

06-12-2005 19:55:50




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I am having trouble with my 1990 mercury couger with the 3.8 v-6. Last summer we had trouble with it not wanting to start at times when it has been driven, then when it would sit for an hour or so it would start up. When cooler weather came we had no problems with it. When it warmed back up it started with the same thing again. When it does start it misses. We have had three different mechanics work on it. We have changed the coil, distributer cap and rotor, and ignition module. Does anyone have any ideas as to what to do next. Thanks, 4020

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fred kobs

06-14-2005 04:39:51




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-12-2005 19:55:50  
Your fuel pump should come on w/key for a few secs. after key has been off for 10 sec+. I would think poss. a weak relay or(ford's fav.),fuseable link that's almost burnt into. Good luck. HTH fred



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kraigWY

06-13-2005 08:32:59




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-12-2005 19:55:50  
Check the fuel pump, had a Sable that did the same thing, new fuel pump fixed it



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bryan in Iowa

06-13-2005 06:40:50




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-12-2005 19:55:50  
Just keep throwing money at it ! lol,No really ,bite the bullet , take it to a "GOOD shop" for a diagnois;s ! You'll save money in the long run . as far as used parts ,,well the parts on there now are "used " If just for test purposes they may be fine, but don't expectused parts to last anylonger than whats on your car now .YOu need to start at the basics, Fuel pressure spark , crank signal ,injector pulse , codes ? etc ,,good luck ,,keep us posted

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Allan in NE

06-13-2005 04:36:05




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-12-2005 19:55:50  
4020,

When it does start is it puffing white smoke with a sweet smell? Every blessed one of those engines had bad head gaskets at some point.

This was a massive headache for FoMoCo on that engine. They got 'em cured in the '97 model year. Check for bubbles in the overflow tank.

Also, Ford had bad fuel pumps by the truckloads and they would almost always go bad in the warmer temps.

Allan

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4020

06-13-2005 07:26:30




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to Allan in NE, 06-13-2005 04:36:05  
Hi . Its not the head gaskets my 14 year old son put them on 1.5 years ago. We have a chiltons T,bird / cougar repair manual.I aways make the boys get repair manuals and parts manuals if we can get then before I let them spin wrenches. The fuel pump doesn't aways turn on when car is hot.The last machanic said it was a bad connection the, car was fixed untell the next day and it was back to the same old thing . So right now we have it up on the car ramp checking all plugins , I don't think that is the problem . The dash also shows falt on the digital dash. Sorry not tractor related ,you guys are my last chance before I send it to the hedge row. thanks 4020

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Allan in NE

06-13-2005 07:52:13




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-13-2005 07:26:30  
4020,

All I can offer you is to check that inertia switch back at the trunk.

I really think you need to take this auto to a Ford dealer. They work on 'em every day and these cars just do not lend themselves easily to the do-it-yourself type repair.

Allan



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Jimmy King

06-13-2005 04:00:18




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-12-2005 19:55:50  
Did you change the plug wires?? My 1998 Olds 3.8 got hard to start and missed. My son kept telling me I needed new wires and I laughted, when I put them on fixed it.



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Bob

06-12-2005 21:04:11




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-12-2005 19:55:50  
A common problem with that engine is the charge air sensor in the intake manifold. It looks just like a heat sender screwed into the intake manifold, but instead of screwing into the water passage as the actual water temperature sensor does, it screws into one of the intake runners. It, in effect, acts like the choke on a carbureted engine, telling the computer to give a lot more gas at startup to a cold engine. When it fails, it does not respond correctly to temperature, and the computer over fuels or under-fuels the engine because it thinks the intake air is a lot cooler or warmer than it actually is.

I can't remember the reistance specs, offhand, but a good shop manual will have a chart giving the sensor's resistance as a function of temperature.

A new one is $20 to $30. The last one we repaired, maybe 2 years ago, we put a known good used sensor in for test purposes, and it ran well, and the customer had to have the car right away, and couldn't wait 'till the next morning for a new one, so he kept the used one for 1/2 new price. I recently saw him, and asked about the car, and he said it hasn't missed a beat since.

That's the first thing I'd try, plus check the fuel pressure, if at all possible.

Please post back as to whether this solves the problem!

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Farmer in the Dells (WI)

06-12-2005 20:56:47




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-12-2005 19:55:50  
Look at the fuel system. Check for restrictions. We had a problem child in the shop once after it was to at least three other shops for a similar problem. The mechanic came across the fuel lines that looked like it was kinked in an area of a bend. There were three running together. GM 3.8. I believe the lines were pressure, return and evap canister. It appeared to have bottomed out at some point. We straightened the lines as best we could to relieve the restriction. It took care of here starting problem. Just my 2 cents and for what its worth, keep the change.

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Roy Suomi

06-12-2005 20:22:29




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-12-2005 19:55:50  
I'd try the brain box. I've heard about the brain box causing similar problems. Someone told me that they went to a boneyard to get a box and had good results.. Make sure the plastic grommet where your wiring attaches is the same color as replacement module. It apparently makes a difference...



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4020

06-12-2005 20:31:57




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to Roy Suomi, 06-12-2005 20:22:29  
We have replaced the brain box with a new one , no improvement.thanks 4020



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4020

06-13-2005 12:01:26




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-12-2005 20:31:57  
Hi again, We know that the fuel pump is not getting a current to it after the car gets warmed up, shut off, and then tried to start. We can't find the air sensor talked about earlier on the car or in the book. Is it located at the rear of the engine, the front or somewhere else. Any other suggestions or ideas are greatly appreciated.



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bryan in iowa

06-14-2005 07:59:32




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-13-2005 12:01:26  
ok,,nother stab at this.Do you have fuel pressure gauge hooked up ? If not ,,when car fails to start , spray lil carb cleaner into intake , see if runs on this . This will confirm fuel delivery problem . Find self test connector , looking at it from end , i believe lower right terminal if grounded will energize fuel pump relay if key is in on position . You should here relay click . If you have power out from relay next in lin eis Inertia switch , should be located in trunk , access panel should be marked . Check switch for power in and out when car fails to start.May be getting hot if poor contacts. If power in and out of Inertia switch , next is fuel pump ,,which means dropping tank to replace . Good luck ,,lets us know whats up !!

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Jerry Cent. Mi.

06-13-2005 16:29:52




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 Re: OT car trouble in reply to 4020, 06-13-2005 12:01:26  
You might need a new inigton switch. Jerry



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