Why will my 1996 ford thunderbird v8 not start? It turns over but wont start up,is there a certain fuse or connection in the trunk and or under the hood that needs to be connected?

20

Asked by Cheryl Feb 16, 2015 at 08:38 PM about the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Question type: General

3 Answers

10

try changin battery,starter,alternator,etc..whatever u have not changed not expert hope that helps.

165

First, I would not spend money on a battery, alternator, or starter if the engine cranks at "normal" speeds. The battery is obviously supplying ample current to the starting motor which is turning the engine. The alternator does not come into play until the engine RPM increases after starting. The alternator's job is to supply operating power to the electrical system and replenish energy obtained from the battery to start the engine and keep it charged. I would look to the basics... Does it have fuel? Is there fuel pressure on the fuel rail? Is there spark? Is there compression? Check to see if you are getting signal to the injectors to open. Stick to the basics. If it has fuel, air, compression, and spark it will fire. Note that the spark has to be in correct time relative to the position of the crankshaft, otherwise it will not fire. Checking fuses is a good idea. If the PCM fuse has blown for example, you will not get the engine to start, as it is controlling fuel and spark delivery. If the fuse for the fuel pump is blown, there will be no fuel available. Check the status of the inertia switch in the trunk to be sure that it has not tripped. This is a safety device designed to shut off the fuel pump in the event of an impact. Remember that for the engine to crank the PCM does not have to be alive and well. The way that this was posted, I am assuming that everything was functioning correctly, and all of a sudden you had this issue of cranking but not starting. Also in addition to checking fuses, check wiring harness connectors to everything under the hood to be sure that they are connected. Doing a thorough visual inspection is key. Just look for anything that is loose, broken, disconnected, or otherwise out of place. This does not cost you anything but you time.

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