crank no start

[ottawanker]

So, my '95 contour with a v6 is cranking, but not starting. I've had this problem before, and it was the wiring going to the crankshaft position sensor.

I changed the sensor, and fixed up the wiring with some electrical tape near the sensor itself, and the rest of the wire that I can see (a few inches) seems to be pretty decent still. That part of the wire shouldn't be shorting out, but it still won't start.

The fuel pump comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched to the 'On' position. I'm currently not getting any spark when I crank. The coil seems to check out from the tests I've done, and is getting voltage, but doesn't seem to be getting signal. Also, the CEL comes on when I switch the car to 'On', but stays on when cranking, which seems to be an indicator of crankshaft position sensor problems.

I really don't want to replace the whole harness, but I was thinking about replacing (well, leaving the old ones and just running new ones really) just the 2 wires that run to the crankshaft position sensor, but the Autozone wiring diagram for '95 Contours doesn't seem to list it.

Any ideas on what my next step should be, or where that wiring goes?

 

[Tony2005]

...., but I was thinking about replacing ... just the 2 wires that run to the crankshaft position sensor, but the Autozone wiring diagram for '95 Contours doesn't seem to list it.

Any ideas on what my next step should be, or where that wiring goes?

If you think the problem is the wires, yes, change those two. Haynes has a pretty good wiring schematic for the 1995.

Edit. Brown/Red goes to Pin 5 at Ignition Module. White/Red goes to Pin 6 at Ignition Module.

Autozone link has Ignition Control Module connector Pins.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1b/c3/d7/0900823d801bc3d7.jsp

 

[eepals]

I really don't want to replace the whole harness, but I was thinking about replacing (well, leaving the old ones and just running new ones really) just the 2 wires that run to the crankshaft position sensor, but the Autozone wiring diagram for '95 Contours doesn't seem to list it.
Any ideas on what my next step should be, or where that wiring goes?

The two wires for the crank sensor should be sheilded. The shielding starts up at the point in the harness where the wires for the crank, cam, and oil pressure sensor split off from the other wires that run under the UIM, for the fuel injectors. The wires under the UIM will probably be in bad shape also. I noticed a big improvement in the idle quality after I replaced this harness.

 

[ottawanker]

Edit. Brown/Red goes to Pin 5 at Ignition Module. White/Red goes to Pin 6 at Ignition Module.

Autozone link has Ignition Control Module connector Pins.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1b/c3/d7/0900823d801bc3d7.jsp

Perfect, that's exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

The two wires for the crank sensor should be sheilded. The shielding starts up at the point in the harness where the wires for the crank, cam, and oil pressure sensor split off from the other wires that run under the UIM, for the fuel injectors. The wires under the UIM will probably be in bad shape also. I noticed a big improvement in the idle quality after I replaced this harness.

Yeah, the shielding is there, and is what seems to cause 99% of the problems. When I had my UIM and LIM off for cleaning I noticed the wires weren't in great shape, and will probably replace the whole thing one day, but for now the car is stuck at work, and I just want to get it going.

Can a camshaft position sensor problem cause no spark, or does it only control fuel? From what I've read, most say it usually causes hard starts and missing/stumbling, but others have said that it can cause a no start. That wire seems decent, and the sensor checks out when I test it, but still could be bad..

Edit: I now assume that its fairly obvious that the camshaft position sensor should have nothing to do with spark.. as long as the CKP signal is present, and PIP and SPOUT, there should be spark.. and as long as PIP and SPOUT don't come from the camshaft position sensor (and I can't see that it would, I assume the PIP and SPOUT wires go to the PCM.. Probably something like SPOUT derived from the CKP sent to the PCM and PIP sent back), it should all be good. There is one wire from the camshaft position sensor that runs to the ICM, though it just seems to be a power wire from the PCM.

Edit Again: I found a forum post on the supercoupe forums that seemed to explain how a camshaft position failure can create hard starts. From http://www.sccoa.com/forums/showpost.php?p=372144&postcount=7:

The camshaft sensor provides cylinder identification (CID) information. The DIS ignition uses CID for coil fire sequencing and is also used by the EEC-IV for fuel synchronization.
...
Failure Mode Effects Management: During some DIS system faults, the failure mode effects management (FMEM) portion of the DIS ignition module will maintain vehicle operation. If the DIS module does not receive the SPOUT input, it will automatically turn the ignition coils on and off using the PIP signal. However, this condition will result in fixed spark timing (10 degrees BTDC) and fixed dwell timing (no CCD). If the DIS module does not receive the CID input during engine cranking, random coil synchronization will be attempted by the module. Therefore, several attempts (cycling the ignition switch from OFF to START) may be required to start the engine. If the DIS module loses CID input while engine is running, the module will remember the proper firing sequence and continue to fire to maintain engine operation.

 

[eepals]

... but the Autozone wiring diagram for '95 Contours doesn't seem to list it.

I see that also. You should get the Ford CD, there was a link, here or on the Old Forums, where you could download your model year for free, I don't have the link. Check out Alldata DIY.com, but Autozone gets their info from ALLdata, and they don't even show the CKP on that schemetic.

 

[ottawanker]

So, got the car running today by cutting the wires at the ignition control module and running new wires to the crankshaft position sensor. Now that the car is home I just have to finish up the job and make it all near and tidy.

Thanks for all the info guys!