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View Full Version : 98 Contour wont start, no spark

bluemantr
10-16-2007, 11:39 AM
Hello,

I am new at this forum and new at the cars too :) Sorry i dont really know that mechanical terms you are using but i will try to explain my car's problem as much as i can. Anyway one of my friend gave me 98 Contour 2.0L Standart, He blew the engine 6-7 months ago, so i bought another engine and another friend of mine changed the engine but we couldnt get it run. It turns but no spark. ( I did read all post about no spark problem) We got new coil module, took crankshaft sensor and cam sensor out and tested they are good, checked the grounds. Battery new, spark plugs and cables are new, changed the starter.. and finally we got lost.. What else it can cause no spark? CEL is on, connected to PC and got no code..

Btw my friend said it gets pulse up to coils but it stops there. Any Ideas?

Thanks
Tony2005
10-16-2007, 11:53 AM
Welcome.

The ignition coil has a ground which could be your problem. Check to make sure it is tightened properly. Also check grounds for the battery (especially the one which goes under the battery tray).
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/c4/02/0900823d801bc402/repairInfoPages.htm
BrApple
10-16-2007, 11:56 AM
was the engine that you go from a 98 or newer?
bluemantr
10-16-2007, 12:00 PM
The ignition coil has a ground which could be your problem. Check to make sure it is tightened properly.

Thanks Tony, coil ground is go trough connector right? Any other ground cable goes to ignation coil? If its the only ground cable (with connector) goes to ignation coil we clean that out and tested the cable it works. Sorry for my no knowladge about terms :(
bluemantr
10-16-2007, 12:01 PM
was the engine that you go from a 98 or newer?

engine is same as the one we took it out. Its 98 2.0l standart
BrApple
10-16-2007, 12:09 PM
engine is same as the one we took it out. Its 98 2.0l standart


is it exactly the same or just the same as its a 2L with a standard trans?

the engine changed for 98+ and added VCT ... the pre98 engine are different and chances are the wiring harnesses are different. so if you don't have a 98+ VCT Zetec then you could have an issue with the wiring harness not matching up and causing a problem.
bluemantr
10-16-2007, 12:12 PM
How can i know differance between two engines? They look exactly same to me :)
BrApple
10-16-2007, 12:20 PM
the valve cover will be different, the pre98 is trypically silver and the post 98 one is plastic I believe, either way the post 98 engine will have a actuator sticking out of the valve cover right next to the timing belt cover on the engine ...

so if they look the same you should be alright, try what tony suggested with the ground, etc
bluemantr
10-16-2007, 12:29 PM
the valve cover will be different, the pre98 is trypically silver and the post 98 one is plastic I believe, either way the post 98 engine will have a actuator sticking out of the valve cover right next to the timing belt cover on the engine ...

so if they look the same you should be alright, try what tony suggested with the ground, etc

Yea they are same. We checked all ground cables, unscrewed grounds and cleaned them with sand paper, they are very tight. Still no spark :shrug:
limeyscott
10-16-2007, 12:34 PM
Had this problem with a zx2 I bought......changed the engine and no spark after that. Turns out the engine was from a car with a standard trans and my car was an auto........got the engine in but come to find out that the little alloy insert that the crank sensor sits in had the sensor clocked at a different position and therefoire had no crank reference. Had to pull the trans and install the old clocking insert from old engine and the thing fired right up. The reason for the difference in clocking is the difference in shape/thickness between flex plate and flywheel. The flex plate actually came into contact with the sensor and ripped it in two when I tried to crank it! One good thing came from it all.....can now pull the trans out of a zx2 in 30 mins!!!!!:crazy:
limeyscott
10-16-2007, 12:36 PM
Put a scanner on it and see if you are getting crank signal.........you may get pulse at the coil from cam sensor but without crank, it still may not start.
bluemantr
10-16-2007, 12:40 PM
Thanks I will try that.
bluemantr
10-16-2007, 12:57 PM
How can i check if PCM works ok?
limeyscott
10-16-2007, 01:12 PM
If you have missing datastreams from the computer then that might be an issue but a true diag on a computer with whats called a breakout box is expensive and finding a shop that has one may be a chore.

Cover the rest of the parameters first before you start computer digging and the signal from the crank sensor is a start!
bluemantr
10-16-2007, 01:41 PM
CEL stays on all the time. Does it suppose to turn of after a while?
limeyscott
10-16-2007, 01:43 PM
it would turn off if the motor would start.......but with key on engine off.....the cel will remain lit. This is normal.
bluemantr
10-16-2007, 01:47 PM
Thanks. So i think its being end up with wiring problem :(
JoeM
10-16-2007, 06:03 PM
There has to be something not hooked up correctly.

have you checked the little ground cable that go's to the coil?
I know you said you checked all ground cabes, but this one was mentioned Specifically, and i did not see you say that, yes, you check that specific cable.

So far, you have traced the voltage to the coil and then it dies there... I would star checking all the cables associate with the coil...
LUCA
10-17-2007, 07:39 AM
Welcome!

I agree, check the ground cable to the coil.
Don't mess with the computer right now.

As posted by bluemantr: "CEL is on, connected to PC and got no code."

I take it you have the OBD II software on the PC? Did it say error or N/A when you tried to pull the code? Just curious.