1994 Taurus won't start...turns over ok

[jethrom]

Hey all...I've gone through all of the forums with a search of "won't start" but haven't quite found what I'm looking for.

My car ran great until this evening it refused to start (haven't ran it for 2 days, I ride a motorcycle for gas price reasons). The thing turns over and even seems to kick like it wants to start, but refused to stay puttering. It has a good hard crank, not slow at all, and all of the interior lights even get bright for the 1/4 second that it seems the engine will start. But no go.

I stuck a screwdriver in the connector that goes to the top of the distributer cap and laid it across the motor and turned it over and I got spark there no problem.

I then took the engine side of the fuel filter off and verfied that fuel was still getting through, then turned the key and could see fuel spurt out, then peter off after about 2 seconds to nothing. (oh yeah, I could hear the fuel pump when I initially turn the key...before you actually crank the engine). So I guess the fuel filter isn't plugged.

I keep reading about checking the fuel pressure, but for the life of me I don't see any place to hook up anything (even if I knew what to buy).

Anyone have any suggestions? Or is it still going to be to check the fuel pressure? And what pressure should it be? I've read anything from 32 psi to about 49 through the forums.

[KimMG]

Do you have gas in the tank?
Have you tried starting with the gas cap off?
Did you check all the fuel lines?
Do you have a manual?

[jethrom]

- 3/4 tank of gas in the tank
- There certainly was gas in the fuel line when I pulled the line off of the fuel filter to check.
- I only checked the line with the filter on it.
- I tried to start it with the gas cap off....no change
- The car has an automatic transmission, 3.0 liter engine, A/C, wagon

[jethrom]

UPDATE: I had it towed to a local garage and they hooked it up to the computer and it says that my Mass Air Flow Sensor was bad...I'll try to find a used one and let ya'all know if it works. In the mean time, they just unplugged it and the car runs.

[jethrom]

UPDATE: the mass air flow sensor did the trick! Cost my only $35 (plus $12 shipping) and about 3-5 minutes to replace.