92 taurus 3.0l engine wont start

My 92 taurus won't start. it cranks fine, it has spark, fuel pump is running, but I'm not sure I'm geting enough pressure to the injectors, also the intergrated control module is buzzing. Replaced that, not the problem,($38.00 @ junk yard, expensive mistake.) need some help with how to procede. have borrow my mother-inlaws car in the mean time,but she wants it back soon. please respond quickly. thank you.

After cranking the engine for a few seconds, pull a couple of spark plugs and see if they are saturated in fuel. If so, you're probably getting enough fuel, but the fuel may be contaminated or some other issue. Were there any symptoms leading up to the no start condition?

-Rod

Don't think so, but I wasn't driving at t he time. Wife had the ,stopped at the store, when she came out it wouldn't start. my plan is to check the fuel pressure and check the fuel filter tomorrow, if it doesn't rain.

Finally had a chance to work on the car. Just for ha ha's I tried starting it. after a couple of cranks it started right up. Let it warm up and started it a few more times, seems ok. Checked codes found no fault codes. Could it be a clogged filter, not sure of the fuel pressure.

The fuel filter is a routine maintenance item, so if you haven't changed it in the past 15,000 miles or so, change it out, it won't hurt anything.

IYes, the fuel filter could be the problem, but there are about 15 other things it could be as well with what we know so far.

-Rod

Replace the fuel filter, car still starting and running ok. when I blew through the old filter, there was a definite restriction, and when I back blew it I got a lot of dirt out of the inlet side of the filter. What are some of the 15 other things that I can check out? Not looking forward to being stranded, if the filter was not the problem.

Spark plugs, spark plug wires, intermittant coil, contaminated Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, restricted air filter, loose air intake hose, out-of-range coolant temperature sensor, intermittant camshaft position sensor, intermittant crankshaft position sensor, dirty or intermittant fuel injectors, weak fuel pump, intermittant relay in Constant Control Relay Module, and I'm sure there are a few others I'm not thinking of (I typed "about 15" :) ).

-Rod

I think I have narrowed it down to a fuel problem, I have spark, I checked injectors, with a test light, I have voltage, and a pulsation in the light when I crank the engine. I pulled a spark plug after cranking the engine it was dry. I suspect the fuel pressure regulator, Is there a way to bench test the regulator?

I think your best bet on testing the fuel pressure regulator would be to either borrow a fuel pressure guage from your local chain auto parts store, or purchase one. Make sure it has the Ford adapter (most do) and check your car's fuel pressure. When you turn the key to the run position after it's been sitting a few seconds, the fuel pump should run for about 3 seconds to prime the system. If you see no fuel pressure, the pump may not be getting power or it may be shot. If you see very little pressure, the pump may be weak or there may be a restriction in the fuel line (filter maybe). If you get good fuel pressure, but it quickly drops off, then you probably are looking at a fuel pressure regulator. This could also be due to leaky fuel injectors, but since you mentioned the plugs are dry, that is probably not the case.

-Rod

Rod: Found my problem, it was a bad ground for the constant control module. thanks for your help, I wouldn't have found the problem without the diagrams you posted in another thread. Till next time, thanks again.
Skip.

Hmmm, another note to self. It seems more an more people are finding ground issues with the CCRM.

Thank you for the update, and glad you got it squared away!

-Rod