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car won't start


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wildman30
Novice

Jan 13, 2007, 5:50 PM

Post #1 of 9 (1812 views)
car won't start Sign In

I have a 1991 Ford Explorer with around 299,000 km's. It was left 1 evening in the bitter cold night unplugged and since has not been able to start. I have tried boosting and currently have it plugged in for the past couple days with a battery charger on it.
I will only crank over and over with the occassional backfire. What does that mean and what do I have to do to get this vehicle operational again? Where do I look for my problem?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 13, 2007, 6:20 PM

Post #2 of 9 (1807 views)
Re: car won't start Sign In

You can try starter fluid but reassemble the air cleaner as fire protection.

This vehicle has about 166,000 miles on it if I did the math right. That could open the book to lots of problems?? T



steve01832
Veteran
steve01832 profile image

Jan 14, 2007, 6:14 AM

Post #3 of 9 (1801 views)
Re: car won't start Sign In

If the starter fluid doesn't work, you will need to do the basic tests. Hook a fuel pressure guage up to the test port on the fuel line, install a spark tester in one of the plug wires, install a noid light in one of the fuel injector connectors. Crank the engine, you should see around 35- 40 psi fuel pressure, spark at the tester, the noid light should blink. Post back and let us know what you don't have and we can go further.

Steve


wildman30
Novice

Jan 14, 2007, 12:45 PM

Post #4 of 9 (1793 views)
Re: car won't start Sign In

Thanks for the advice.

I was able to get a spark from the spark plugs and wires. I heard the fuel pump start when I turned the key on. Every know and then I get a whiff of fuel so I know its going, maybe even possibly flooding it.

Could that be a problem, it was accidentally flooded and it got into the oil and now its got no friction?

Another area just noticed was with the battery. It was on a charger all evening and plugged in since the weather is -40c. I noticed their is ice on the top of the battery. Could I have drained the battery too much and it froze before I got a charger on it? The battery didn't hold much charge after we cranked it today to check what was working. It appears low again. How does one know if thats a problem? I have a newer battery that I plan to try in there to see if this battery will work.
We are convinced the timing belt slipped when we last started it though.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 14, 2007, 1:35 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1792 views)
Re: car won't start Sign In

Battery should not freeze if charged. A dead battery can freeze and be damaged but a charged one should handle -40C but not car likes those temps, T



wildman30
Novice

Jan 14, 2007, 3:12 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1789 views)
Re: car won't start Sign In

Ok I had a chance to check my block heater and discovered I was wasting my time for the past several days. It turns out my Explorer is just frozen because my block heater is not working. I have made arrangements to get that done immediately and hopefully that is all that is wrong.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 14, 2007, 8:05 PM

Post #7 of 9 (1780 views)
Re: car won't start Sign In

It doesn't normally ever get that cold where I live but a block heater sure would help. Just 150 miles north of me it does and I'm shocked anything runs at those temps! T



wildman30
Novice

Jan 14, 2007, 10:12 PM

Post #8 of 9 (1777 views)
Re: car won't start Sign In

Well up here in Manitoba, Canada we are in the deep freeze currently and thats what we are getting for temps. Once I get the block heater changed I should be good to go.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 15, 2007, 12:18 AM

Post #9 of 9 (1776 views)
Re: car won't start Sign In

Kitty and I say "Stay warm!" T Smile







 
 
 






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