94 Taurus problem - won't start?

[redfoxx77]

Hi, just wondering if you guys could help me out. I have a 1994 Ford Taurus that presently won't start. For a while, there were problems with the power cutting out - e.g. I'd be driving, with my foot on the gas, and suddenly there would be no response from the gas pedal, then after a little while, it would kick back in. Also, every so often, the car would just die as I was driving. This seemed like it was more likely to happen if I was driving at residential speed, or was at a stop light.

I've talked to some people, and they suggest it might be the ignition control module. Also heard something about fuel pumps?

Any ideas? By the way, it's a 1994 Ford Taurus GL, 3.8L.

Thanks!

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like you are missing either spark, fuel, air, or compression.

Inspect the air filter, air intake hose, vacuum lines, and electrical connections. Also check the fuses to make sure none are blown.

If all of these look fine, you'll really need to check for spark and fuel before we can narrow down the potential problems much. To check for spark, you can borrow a spark tester from a parts store. While there, borrow a fuel pressure guage. With the spark tester connected to a grounded part of the engine and one plug wire, and the fuel pressure tester in view, have someone crank the engine for a few seconds. Post what you see.

You should see a blue spark on the spark tester and a reading on the fuel pressure guage. You'll need to find the spec for proper fuel pressure for your car, it's probably somewhere around 40psi.

If either of these don't pan out, that will help us narrow your search.

-Rod

[kcrouch17]

I have done all the things you have said. I even tried a used CCRM. I have one question about the CCRM. Do the numbers on the module have to match exactly? And there is a big letter on the top of the module. Should that match also when looking for a replacement.

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

Honestly, I don't know the significance of the different numbers on the CCRM and if they would likely cause a difference, even for sanity checks.

What symptoms are you having specifically, and were there any potentially related symptoms leading up to the no-start condition?

-Rod

[kcrouch17]

It will turn over but won't start. Then is will start perfectly fine for a couple of weeks. They it won't start again. I had a mechanic look at it. But since he can't duplicate the problem he can't find anything wrong. He said is actually runs and looks in great condition.

[shorod]

You may want to have your technician check the KOEO and KOER fuel pressure to see how it compares to spec. If the fuel pressure looks great, then you probably have an intermittant connection somewhere, and the ignition module would be a reasonable suspect. Also, start to keep track of potential factors related to when it won't start, such as on rainy days, when ambient temp is below x degrees, after the car's been driven for at least 10 minutes, after car's sat for 15 minutes, etc. -Rod