'97 Ford Taurus Not Starting

[bronny]

I replaced the engine this summer in my 1997 Ford Taurus and the engine is still under warranty, but yesterday morning my car would not start. It turns over but won't start so I know it's not the battery. I had it towed to the garage for repair and the mechanic without looking at the car said it sounds like the problem is either electrical or a fuel problem. My guess is it's the fuel pump or a dirty fuel filter.

Does this sound like a fuel pump problem, and has anyone had this same experience?

Does anyone have a "rough" estimate of what replacement of a fuel pump cost? I'm guessing the fuel pump is located in the gas tank which means more work for the mechanic and more expense.

Thanks.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by bronny

I replaced the engine this summer in my 1997 Ford Taurus and the engine is still under warranty, but yesterday morning my car would not start. It turns over but won't start so I know it's not the battery. I had it towed to the garage for repair and the mechanic without looking at the car said it sounds like the problem is either electrical or a fuel problem. My guess is it's the fuel pump or a dirty fuel filter.

Does this sound like a fuel pump problem, and has anyone had this same experience?

Does anyone have a "rough" estimate of what replacement of a fuel pump cost? I'm guessing the fuel pump is located in the gas tank which means more work for the mechanic and more expense.

Thanks.

Hello

Yes your pump is in the tank. I take it you're planning on keeping the car for a while make sure the pump you put in is a pump designed for your car. There are generic pumps (universal) out there that don't meet OEM spces.

I'm thinking the pump will run around 130.00 (just a guess) and install around 3 to 4 hours 150.00 to 300.00 (just a est.)

Regards

Dan

[shorod]

Originally Posted by bronny

I replaced the engine this summer in my 1997 Ford Taurus and the engine is still under warranty, but yesterday morning my car would not start. It turns over but won't start so I know it's not the battery. I had it towed to the garage for repair and the mechanic without looking at the car said it sounds like the problem is either electrical or a fuel problem. My guess is it's the fuel pump or a dirty fuel filter.

Does this sound like a fuel pump problem, and has anyone had this same experience?

Does anyone have a "rough" estimate of what replacement of a fuel pump cost? I'm guessing the fuel pump is located in the gas tank which means more work for the mechanic and more expense.

Thanks.

It's really difficult to say "this sounds like a fuel pump problem" without knowing more details. Yes, a bad fuel pump could cause a no start condition, but so could a bad set of coils, an unplugged connector, a bad Idle Speed Control/Idle Air Control, blown fuse, tripped fuel pump cutoff switch, etc.

I'm sure the shop will check for fuel pressure and spark before determining their next course of action. If they see no fuel pressure, they'll check the fuel pump cutoff switch to make sure it's closed, and if so, they'll pull the connector at the switch and test for voltage to the switch. They'll then proceed (hopefully) to the next appropriate path depending on what they find.

-Rod

[bronny]

Originally Posted by shorod

It's really difficult to say "this sounds like a fuel pump problem" without knowing more details. Yes, a bad fuel pump could cause a no start condition, but so could a bad set of coils, an unplugged connector, a bad Idle Speed Control/Idle Air Control, blown fuse, tripped fuel pump cutoff switch, etc.

I'm sure the shop will check for fuel pressure and spark before determining their next course of action. If they see no fuel pressure, they'll check the fuel pump cutoff switch to make sure it's closed, and if so, they'll pull the connector at the switch and test for voltage to the switch. They'll then proceed (hopefully) to the next appropriate path depending on what they find.

-Rod

Can you explain what a "bad set of coils" are or where are they located. Just wondering if the set of coils you referred to are part of the ignition.

Mary Ann

[shorod]

Originally Posted by bronny

Can you explain what a "bad set of coils" are or where are they located. Just wondering if the set of coils you referred to are part of the ignition.

Mary Ann

Yep, the coils I'm referring to are part of the ignition. They provide the current to the spark plugs to fire the air fuel mixture. I'm not sure on your car if you have a single coil or a coil pack, one coil for two cylinders. On a 1997 I'd suspect the latter.

-Rod

[bronny]

Originally Posted by shorod

Yep, the coils I'm referring to are part of the ignition. They provide the current to the spark plugs to fire the air fuel mixture. I'm not sure on your car if you have a single coil or a coil pack, one coil for two cylinders. On a 1997 I'd suspect the latter.

-Rod

Thanks for the information it has been a big help. Last night when I got home from work I had a message from the mechanic that my car was done. I picked it up this morning from the garage and to my surprise it was just the battery. Who ever would have guessed something so simple!

-Mary Ann