1998 ford contour won't start

Make sure you have a good ground connection. If dashboard lichts came on a ground could have come loose and the dash board lights were the path of least resistance for another ground. Check for a ground on the engine block.

This could be anything. Is there fuel? Do you smell unburned fuel when it turns over? Is there spark? If you pull a plug and leave it on top of the block, do you see it sparking? Is there timing? If you pop the distributor cap, do you see the rotor turning?

If there is fuel, spark, air, and timing, the engine will run. One of these is not there.

--scott

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common problems ??

ignition modules computer timing belts

17 yr. old drivers

those are SOME of the common problems with older Ford Contours.

It's been my experience as technician, that when you have a no-start situation and you've already checked that the spark and fuel delivery are good, then, the most likely cause of the no-start symptom is the one that you're least likely to admit is it.

:)

so........ me be'n a technician, with OVER 30 years of experience, my FIRST suggestion would be to get the customer to the shop where you could look him in the eye and ask him, "Is there ANY....other information you could give us that might eliminate COSTLY diagnostic charges to YOU?"

because...sometimes, not always, but often, on occasion..... it's possible...likely...(don't know why after over 30 years) that the customer omits some pertinant fact, for whatever reason.........that pinpoints the cause of the symptom.... which is nowhere in the vicinity of what's common!!

fact, not fiction.

as a final note.... did this car have a flat tire?

~:~ marsh ~sips his crownroyal.........and wonders which birthday is next....the 13 yearolds..the 14 yearolds....the 17 yearolds.. the 20 yearolds.....or the 21 yearolds...........oh well..... i'm sure they'll remind me~ ~:~

snipped-for-privacy@adelphia.net wrote: (1998 Ford Contour)

While the car was moving the dashboard lights came on and it stalled. The battery appears to be good but it won't restart. Any suggestions on where to start looking? ____________________________________________

Take it step by step.

1.) Have someone look at the dashboard for you and examine the symbol lights that lit up. Look especially for a lighted symbol that looks like a thermometer or a gas pump or an oil can.

2.) Post the result here for the next clue.

Good luck.

Rodan.

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me be'n the shop idiot and all.......

my VERY first guess wuz duh thing stalled......caus'n the lights to come on!!

but....like i said....i'm the shop idiot. so take it fer whut it's wert.

~:~ marshmonster ~takes a toke...........mmmmm.......good stuff~ ~:~

Bingo. Too many inexperienced drivers freak out because all the lights came on, without noticing that the engine died _before_ the lights came on.

The original poster's job is now to find out why the engine died.

--scott

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I'm think'n he took the advice in my first reply.... and looked the customer (HIS SON!!) in the eye and asked for more input. (17 yr. old son)..lol

Because....either he got it cranked....or he didn't like the help he was get'n here.

He has'nt made a peep in 2 days.

anywhoooo.... ima think'n the kid did something that kids do when kids do things like i did when i was a kid do'n the things that kids do....that kids shudd'nt do.....and now..he's pull'n a "Clinton" and refuses to admit anything. lol

as a side note, I asked him about the flat tire because I had one pop on a Tauraus. The insueing loss of rubber flapped against the right rear inner fenderwell. AFTER putting on the "MayPop" donought ..the damd thing wuddn't start. I was on the interstate, cost me $250 to get it towed back to Pensacola to the shop....where the next day a light bulb went off......

The flapping rubber had triggered the collision switch on the right inner fender well..INSIDE THE TRUNK. I pushed the reset button ......

and felt like a $250 fool.

fact, not fiction

~:~ mm ~takes a toke.............pricey stuff~ ~:~

I went out of town over weekend. did diagnose problem on friday, the timing belt is slipping. so monday we are replacing timing belt and while it is apart am replacing water pump.