Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Trouble Starting, Shaking, Stall

I have trouble starting my '98 Contour. It has only happened twice so far. The first time, I traveled about 30 minutes at 60-65 MPH with the A/C on and outside temperature of about 100 degrees F. The car was fine. Once I turned the car off, went into a store for 5 minutes, then came out, it wouldn't start. The engine turned over and shook (engine shook the whole car) violently for maybe 5 seconds then stalled. I tried to restart it, but nothing. I opened the fuel tank to reduce pressure in the gas tank. Still wouldn't start. After waiting 15-20 minutes, it started just like normal. The second time this happened, I drove about 30 minutes again, fan on but not A/C, outside temp at about 80 degrees F. Stopped car for 5 minutes, then started fine. Drove for 5 minutes, went into store for 20 minutes, then it started for 5 seconds, shook violently and stalled. then after 15-20 minutes, it started like normal. I thought it was heat, but the second time, it was only 80 degrees. Anyone ever had trouble with this? Any suggestions?

Which engine?

Manufacture date?

Miles?

This could be a heat related vacuum leak in the PVC system, or flooding, or fuel pump. If flooding you should smell gas near exhaust or in oil. This type of flooding is often caused by leaky injectors or a bad ECT sensor. Fuel delivery problems are checked with a fuel pressure guage. Both engines are prone to having the PCV hoses get soft and collapse or leak. Need to eyeball them.

Sounds like the TWO times that my fuel pump went bad. Eventualy the car will just stall on you and will not re-start. I'd get it checked out before it dies on you totaly and the car leaves you stranded.

The car is 1998 Contour SE, 4 Cylinder engine, about 75,000 miles.

Check the ECT sensor and wiring. It would be best to do an OBDII enhanced scan to check for intermittent problems like crank sensors and such. Otherwise, you will be just guessing.

Oh a bad ECT will cause the PCM to think the engine is cold when itâ??s hot. This will cause a no start, poor idle and fast idle with a hot engine due to overspray or too rich a mixture.

jeff

I have a hard/long starting problem with my 95/OBD1/V6 car (no trouble codes). I've been chasing this problem for a while and to date no luck. Symptoms are somewhat similiar. ECT was replaced, but not the problem. Isn't the crank sensor inside the timing chain cover?