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Intermittent problem with '97 Ford Contour
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PJO34
New User
Jul 18, 2011, 12:00 AM
Post #1 of 8
(3360 views)
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Intermittent problem with '97 Ford Contour
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I own a 1997 Ford Contour. There are about 175,000 miles on the car.
The car is in excellent condition and operates well except that every once in a while the car will not start. I have never had a problem with the car not starting after it has been sitting for more than four hours, but occasionally, if I drive the car to the store (for example) and try to restart it within an hour or two, it will not start. Again, usually the car will start, but when it does not it is because I have tried to restart it within one or two hours of stopping it.
When it will not start, the engine sounds like it is trying to turn over, but it just doesn't start. If I wait 30 to 45 minutes, though, the car will start and I will be able to drive it normally. I never have a problem with the car once it has started.
I have brought the car to three mechanics, but none of them has been able to duplicate the problem and each of them has given up trying to find a solution for the problem. Each has told me the car runs "great" and they do not know what could be wrong. The first mechanic changed a few wires and the second changed a tube, but neither fixed the problem.
I do not want to get rid of the car, but because the problem is intermittent and because I never know when the problem will occur, the car is not reliable and I may be forced to get a different car.
I would appreciate ANY ideas as to what could be wrong. I really would prefer to keep my car. Thanks!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 18, 2011, 3:16 AM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: Intermittent problem with '97 Ford Contour
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All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.
Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.
These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.
1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.
2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.
3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.
4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.
Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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PJO34
New User
Jul 19, 2011, 10:12 PM
Post #3 of 8
(3307 views)
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Re: Intermittent problem with '97 Ford Contour
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Thank you for your reply. I appreciate the time and effort you have expended trying to help me fix my problem. I have forwarded it to my mechanic and if (and hopefully when) the car is fixed, I will reply with what the problem is (was) and what was done to fix it. I hope doing so will help someone else.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 20, 2011, 3:03 AM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: Intermittent problem with '97 Ford Contour
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I seriously doubt that he appreciates advice on how to do his job. What I gave you was a systematic way to isolate your problem which he should be well aware of.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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PJO34
New User
Aug 2, 2011, 12:17 PM
Post #5 of 8
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Re: Intermittent problem with '97 Ford Contour
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The mechanic is a good friend of a good friend and he accepted your information graciously. I have received a lot of advice and the consensus us that the problem could be the crank position sensor. The part is inexpensive and I am strongly considering having the part replaced. Do you believe the crank position sensor could be the cause of my car's problem?
Thank you for your advice.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 2, 2011, 12:57 PM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: Intermittent problem with '97 Ford Contour
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That or a couple hundred other possibilities. Until you perform the tests I suggested, I can't tell you anything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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PJO34
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Aug 3, 2011, 6:24 PM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: Intermittent problem with '97 Ford Contour
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The reason I forwarded your advice, and the advice of others, to the mechanic who currently has my car is that I know very little about car repair (actually nothing about car repair), and while your posts are well-written and clearly-explained, I have no idea where any of the parts are and I have none of the tools you mention.
Crank position sensor was mentioned by just about everyone I told about my problem and I think I will take a chance and hope for the best. I will continue to post to let you know what happens.
Thanks again.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 3, 2011, 6:29 PM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: Intermittent problem with '97 Ford Contour
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OK, if you think that is the way to go. If throwing parts at it doesn't work out then you'll be back to testing.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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