no start. fuel or spark?

my friends 95 lincoln continental just got a new alternator (link below) now new problem.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=683499

After sitting over night his car will not start. I tried waiting til night time taking off a coil and looking for spark but I didnt see one but I decided to try starting fluid anyway and it almost turned over. I'm guessing not all coils are fireing AND there is a fuel issue.

Reading other forums I saw something about a security system but I dont think that could be the problem. any advice is highly appreciated, he almost didnt make it back to his airforce base in time because of this issue and last minute plane tickets are expensive even with military discount. So now I have his car for two weeks while I try and save him a trip to the mechanic.

I'm guessing I should start with fuel pressure but after that I am at a lost.

~drew~

EDIT: This happened after we installed his new stereo but even after taking everything back out it still wouldn't start and we checked all fuses.

Can anyone tell me where the fuel pressure gauge hook-up thingy is on a 95 lincoln continental with a V8 4.6l engine?

Without looking at the manual, there should be a Schrader type valve, with a standard plastic valve cap mounted directly to the Fuel Rail.

Mine has a gray cap, my son's xterra has a yellow cap, etc.

thanks. i'll post back after i check the fuel pressure hopefully later today but monday at the latest.

35-40PSI according to autozone.
sounds right to me.

sorry about the long wait.

checked everything out today and theres no fuel OR spark.

Hmm. No Fuel, No Spark.
Do you have an OBD scanner? It should have stored some error codes by now.

For a No Start condition the diagnostic flow chart would read something like this:

Preliminary Steps

Inertia Fuel Cutoff switch (be sure switch is not tripped, if so, Reset)
External (aftermarket) fuel cutoff (inspect for aftermarket systems, consider removal)
Electrical connections (check connectors AND grounds, especially near recent projects / installations)
Air intake tube disconnected / clogged (check MAF connection as well)
Fuses AND Relays (inside fusebox, outside power dist. box)

In this case I would also check the PCM (powertrain control module) connections and grounds.

Check OBD, retrieve any DTC's

Follow through with any DTC's service procedures / recommendations.

Ignition / Fuel Systems Diagnosis

Exhaust Systems Diagnosis

Engine Mechanical Diagnosis

I dont have an OBD scanner at hand but I can always use auto zones loaner tool program and get back to you.

I dont have an OBD scanner at hand but I can always use auto zones loaner tool program and get back to you.

I'm not entirely sure the whether the Conti in 1995 was OBDi or OBDii. 1996 for sure it was.

The 1995 Town Car was OBDii but the Conti ???

IF it was OBDi, you can trigger a self test where the CEL blinks out the DTC's in a morse-code fashion, OBDii requires a scanner.

Anyway, the OBD scanner from Autozone will do also :)