1997 Contour 2.5L Duratec
When I try to start her, it turns the engine over strongly -- feels like plenty of juice from the battery (I tried with a jump, too -- same thing happens). It turns, turns, turns, shudder, turns, turns, turns, shudder, cough, turn, turn... It sounds like it really wants to catch but it just won't.
Things I checked:
- verified I actually had gas; gauge measures 1/3 tank (right where it should be)
- I hear the fuel pump turn on...
- like I said, got a jump to make sure the battery wasn't the issue
- checked all the fuses under the hood
This problem is *COMPLETELY* random. I've had the car since mid-1999 and not once has it ever left me stranded or failed to start. I am actually getting ready to sell it -- perhaps it is pissed. :laugh:
I had it parked in the driveway, which is decently steep with the front on the uphill side for a few days while I cleaned it out, etc. I took it to the car wash, came back and parked it the same way... Left it there for a couple of days and then needed to move it out of the driveway. I turned it on, didn't wait for it to warm up (prolly 55F outside) and drove it about 30 yards away and parked it. It is parked on a pretty steep down slope (front is on the downhill side now). I left it there for a couple of days and when I went back to drive it -- bam -- no go. It has been that way for 2 days. There was no indication that anything was amiss before it did this.
I found that the positive battery terminal clamp assembly was cracked and loose so I replaced it thinking that must be it because I had never seen that before and I am in there pretty often. Nope. No change. The only thing different is the car wash (which it hasn't seen it years -- ha) and parking on a downhill slope, which I haven't done in 3+ months.
Any clue? What should I try first? I read some posts here about hard-starting in cold weather, but the coldest we've been seeing is 40-45F.
Grrr, right when I finally get around to selling her... :crazy:
~trasko
When I try to start her, it turns the engine over strongly -- feels like plenty of juice from the battery (I tried with a jump, too -- same thing happens). It turns, turns, turns, shudder, turns, turns, turns, shudder, cough, turn, turn... It sounds like it really wants to catch but it just won't.
Things I checked:
- verified I actually had gas; gauge measures 1/3 tank (right where it should be)
- I hear the fuel pump turn on...
- like I said, got a jump to make sure the battery wasn't the issue
- checked all the fuses under the hood
This problem is *COMPLETELY* random. I've had the car since mid-1999 and not once has it ever left me stranded or failed to start. I am actually getting ready to sell it -- perhaps it is pissed. :laugh:
I had it parked in the driveway, which is decently steep with the front on the uphill side for a few days while I cleaned it out, etc. I took it to the car wash, came back and parked it the same way... Left it there for a couple of days and then needed to move it out of the driveway. I turned it on, didn't wait for it to warm up (prolly 55F outside) and drove it about 30 yards away and parked it. It is parked on a pretty steep down slope (front is on the downhill side now). I left it there for a couple of days and when I went back to drive it -- bam -- no go. It has been that way for 2 days. There was no indication that anything was amiss before it did this.
I found that the positive battery terminal clamp assembly was cracked and loose so I replaced it thinking that must be it because I had never seen that before and I am in there pretty often. Nope. No change. The only thing different is the car wash (which it hasn't seen it years -- ha) and parking on a downhill slope, which I haven't done in 3+ months.
Any clue? What should I try first? I read some posts here about hard-starting in cold weather, but the coldest we've been seeing is 40-45F.
Grrr, right when I finally get around to selling her... :crazy:
~trasko
