Car is not starting

[jrobinson50]

In October i had my Explorer in the shop to get some engine work done on it. They had to replace the enginge with a salvage engine. Just recently I was driving my car and it completely died on me. I try starting it up and then it happened again just a minute later. It cranks over but it doesnt start. My friends around my office tell me it might be the fuel pump. If anyone can help me out with this problem i have that would be great. Thanks!

 

[manaen]

welcome to the forum.

Without some further diagnostics it will be tough to figure out what is going on.

you need to check
1) if you have spark
2) if you have fuel pressure

I assume by your comments that the engine is cranking over so the battery and starter are working fine. This could be as simple as a fuel pump relay or even a fuse.

 

[jrobinson50]

car not starting

So, ho do i go about doing that on my own: 1) checking for fuel pressure and 2) checking to see if i have spark

 

[manaen]

the fuel pressure gauge connects to a schrader vlave that is located on the fuel rail. You may be able to borrow one from advanced auto or autozone.

To test it, you...
1) connect the gauge to the fuel rail, warning do this with a cool engine, as there will be some fuel pressure in the line so when you connect the gauge a little fuel will spray out.
2) turn the key to the on position but do not start the car (note what pressure the gauge reads)
3) do step 2 one more time then after recording the pressure, start the engine and note the pressure, be careful around the fan and belt!!!
4) then turn the engine off and note the pressure and watch the gauge for 60second it should maintain pressure with 5 psi of the running pressure for the full 60seconds


To test for spark I use an inductive pickup timing light but you can also pull a plug wire off a plug and hold it away from a spark plug but close enough to gap a spark (usually with 1") while someone cranks the engine you will see and hear the spark jumping.

BE CAREFUL there is excess of 50,000 volts coming out of that wire, it won't kill you, but you may piss yourself ok maybe not, but it does hurt.

You can also go to a parts store and get a little spark testing tool that plugs between your sparkplug and wire an will show you the spark (much safer and less shocking)

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Do you hear the fuel pump prime, and see the check engine light turn on when you turn the key?

 

[Turdle]

^^^^^^^^^
Very good-let's try this--

hopefully it is in a quiet location-wait for background silence
turn key to on-with door open. don't crank the engine, just turn the key to the on position. Look for the check engine light . It should be on-
listen for an electric motor, it should run for about 2-3 seconds, then quit.
Try this key on-key off routine a few times-see if the pump runs once or twice -never, or always.

Let us know please.