Help! Engine Won't Start - non-mechanic

[rwshea]

Hello All:
I have a 1998 XLT, came home after driving car...no problem.
Went out to start car...and it will not fire up....turns over but will not start.

Any ideas...car was running fine...but now it just will not start.

Thank you for any help you offer. I am not mechanically inclined. So any response written should be on the level of mechanical idiot or dummy....

RW Shea

 

[Mattbuyshouses]

Rwshea,
When you turn the key to 'on' do you hear the fuel pump prime? Typically it'll be a noise you've gotten used to and if you don't hear it, you'll just "know" something's not quite right.

My pump went out on me when the kids and I were driving home this past Christmas day evening. Sucked having to call people to find a ride home only a couple miles from the house. Everyone was doing their thing....

The pump will usually make a "whirrrrr" right as you turn the key to on just before cranking it over.

Matt

 

[skoal_mint]

any gas?, lol

take off you gas cap and get somone to listen their if you cant hear it in the truck..

if they can hear anything ( the pump will only kick for 3 seconds ) then check the voltage at the relay and at the pump.

the relay is probly more easy..or check the fuel switch under the passanger floor rug, maybe it kicked off..

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Did you check your fuses? Do you see the check engine light turn on when you turn the key?

 

[Turdle]

any gas?, lol

take off you gas cap and get somone to listen their if you cant hear it in the truck..

if they can hear anything ( the pump will only kick for 3 seconds ) then check the voltage at the relay and at the pump.

the relay is probly more easy..or check the fuel switch under the passanger floor rug, maybe it kicked off..

I second the Fuel pump relay
There are 3 of the same type in the power distribution bow. Swap the FP relay with another. Quick check

 

[tenikiwon]

Gas

How low is your tank... I've driven.. parked (noise down) with a very low tank and it wont start until you level it.

 

[ozzyfan319]

you may actually have dried up camshaft bearing. this is not that uncommon however it can get pretty expensive. all it is, is that the camshaft isnt turning in time with the fuel pump and the valves arent opening at the right time. the parts are cheap labor aint.

 

[BrooklynBay]

If there is no spark, you could have a bad ignition module, sensor, coil pack, or just bad spark plugs, and wires. That once happened to me. I drove fine, and parked in my driveway. When I tried to start it in the morning, it just cranked, but wouldn't start. The plugs were pretty old. When I replaced them, it started up! It is also a good idea to check if you have any stored computer codes.

 

[MZ2215]

Hello All:
I have a 1998 XLT, came home after driving car...no problem.
Went out to start car...and it will not fire up....turns over but will not start.

Any ideas...car was running fine...but now it just will not start.

Thank you for any help you offer. I am not mechanically inclined. So any response written should be on the level of mechanical idiot or dummy....

RW Shea

I'm having a similiar problem with my 99 Sport. Drove it to and from work this morning, went out to go to class earlier and it won't run, the damn theft light is flashing rapidly for some reason. I can hear the fuel pump prime.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It must have either a starter kill, or ignition cut off on the alarm system.

 

[aldive]

I once, years ago, had a weird no start issue that turned out to be an O2 sensor.

Take a look at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34619&highlight=alarm+system+woos

Good luck ........

 

[rwshea]

Thank YOU ALL!

Thank You All:

I will check out your suggestions and re-post any successes or failures. I REALLY appreciate all of the suggestions.

Respectfully:
RW Shea