Not starting after storage. What do I check?

[FW_Linc/Merc]

OK. I hate to admit that I need help but this time I do. The Marauder has been in storage with the battery charger on it for 4 months. I tried to start it yesterday and it cranks with no problem but will not fire.

I disconnected the battery overnight, reconnected it and no change.

What do I check?

[1stMerc]

By your list of cars you may have already done this, but if not.
If you did not put Stabil in the tank check to see if the gas smells like varnish.
Make sure it is getting gas and you have a spark.

[FW_Linc/Merc]

What is the best way to check for spark in this vehicle?

[cpe6]

what brand of gasoline do you use? when was the last time you started the car?

[FW_Linc/Merc]

I filled it to the top 4 months ago and pulled it into the garage running. I started the car 2 months ago. I use 93 octane usually from Marathon.

[Blackened300a]

Whats the PATS light on the dash doing? Maybe try a spare key.

[Hadamustang1]

Fuel cut off switch in trunk?

[FW_Linc/Merc]

I checked the fuel cutoff switch in the trunk.

[B.C. Bake]

When you first turn the key "without starting it yet" do you here the fuel pump turn on and stop?

[1stMerc]

What is the best way to check for spark in this vehicle?

Hmmm, Not really sure of the best way, this is my first cop vehicle.


I filled it to the top 4 months ago and pulled it into the garage running. I started the car 2 months ago. I use 93 octane usually from Marathon.

Since it started two months ago, i'm willing to bet spark is good. I would lean toward checking the gas. There was one instance of bad gas at a Marathon a few years back. That's usually a main issue after storing a car.

Other than that, like Paul said try another key. I've heard of keys loosing code if stored next to the worng items over time.

[MOTOWN]

Sounds like you may have some bad gas

[SC Cheesehead]

Have you tried a little ether?

[Got_1]

if it was bad gas it would still run. It would missfire, buck and run horribly but it should still catch when you turn it over. look for any nests around wire harnesses.

[cpe6]

Two months ago it was running so fuel wouldnt be the problem, do you have any other keys (Spare or Valet); you would hear the fuel pump turn on when the ignition. The fuel cut off wouldn't be activated if the car wasnt hit.

[mcgyver59]

Two months ago it was running so fuel wouldnt be the problem, do you have any other keys (Spare or Valet); you would hear the fuel pump turn on when the ignition. The fuel cut off wouldn't be activated if the car wasnt hit.

So you are saying because the fuel pump worked 2 months ago means that it will 100% work today?
OP have someone turn the key on while you get your ear near the gas tank. If you don't hear anything, check the FP fuse. If the fuse is good the pump went bad (verify voltage at the inertia switch though)
I think I read somewhere that if you dump.2 bottles of HEAT in the tank it can revive a bad pump...at least to make it to a garage or lift for replacement.

[Black_Noise]

why would heat work? If you bang on the tank with a rubber hammer whilen someone is cranking (works with starter going out too) then it might fire long enough to pull inside onto a hoist, ask me how I know.


Does it even try to hit when cranking? Is battery voltage good? give us some more info

Smell mice poo at all anywhere in car or under hood?

[tbone]

Pull the IAC and clean it.

[Michael]

Did you check to see if the flux capacitor is fluxing? You may be low on plutonium. :)

Shoot some ether into the intake as someone already stated, easy check.

[TFB]

Shoot some ether into the intake as someone already stated, easy check.

X3 on that one, if it tries to start you have a fuel system problem...

As far as bad gas, my Lightning pickup has had the same gas for three and four months at a time, never a issue...

[MOTOWN]

if it was bad gas it would still run. It would missfire, buck and run horribly but it should still catch when you turn it over. look for any nests around wire harnesses.

Obviously you have never got a tank of bad gas, and had to have your car towed home, and flush your gas tank, and lines!

bad gas is just that! gas that is totaly useless

[FW_Linc/Merc]

Ran some tests this morning. Ether made the car start as long as the ether was in there so I agree it appears to be a fuel problem. I need to check the fuel pump but it does not sound like it is running. Thanks for the inputs so far. I will keep you posted when it starts.

[zman]

Try turning the key to the ON position 3 times. Don't turn the engine over. This builds pressure in the fuel rail. On the fourth turn, allow the engine to turn over. If it fires, the fuel pump is going bad or the filter is dirty.
You really need to hook a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel rail. If there is NO pressure, the pump relay or the pump itself may be gone. If the pressure is LOW, the filter may be dirty or the pump may be going bad.
If this all checks out, you'll need a noid light to test for injector pulse. No pulse may be a bad crankshaft position sensor. To go any further you really need a good scan tool.

[Got_1]

Obviously you have never got a tank of bad gas, and had to have your car towed home, and flush your gas tank, and lines!

bad gas is just that! gas that is totaly useless

i'm a Ford mechanic. I've drained more than my fair share of gas tanks because of bad gas and ALL of them would still fire up, run horribly, stall, buck, miss...etc.

in this guys situation he put the car away only a few months ago filled with fresh gas and obviously drove it home from the gas station. he should have no problem firing it up with that same gas in it from only a few months ago.

[FW_Linc/Merc]

My Jeep needed a radiator so I had to work on that but in the meantime I think I have isolated it to a problem behind the fuel filter. I cannot hear the fuel pump run and I think I saw some diagnostic information in another link so I will be checking into that next. If I can't fix it before Thursday it will be sitting for another week because of company travel. I am also sad because I will be missing M9 because of company travel.

[Vortech347]

For the record new 10% Ethanol fuel has a HORRIBLE Shelf life. The Ethanol grabs water fast and sours the gas alot quicker.

It used to be rule of thumb was to store a car with a full tank, now with these fuels its flipped. Store it near empty if you can.

Also make sure while you're cranking after about 2-3 seconds you floor the gas pedal to turn off the injectors so you aren't flooding the engine and washing the cylinders down. If you have not done this yet after all the cranking you have done I strongly suggest an oil change as I bet its got alot of unburnt fuel in it now. Also this can lead to ****g up a piston ring or the cylinder walls.

Have someone turn the key to run while your head is under the gas tank. Don't hear a buzz? Pump took a crap. Do it again with a meter on the leads for the fuel pump. Does it get voltage for a split second? good, pump confirmed dead. No voltage? FPDM took a crap. Also try swapping out the Fuel Pressure Rail Sensor. When they take a dive the car will flat out not run. I keep a spare in the garage for both my MM and wife's Cobra. If you have an SCT x2/x3 you can datalog it and make sure the sensors are working too.

[B.C. Bake]

Once again, just listen for the fuel pump upon start up. It's sounds crazy but when these pumps go out from sitting it's plain ol no worky.....:mad2:Been there done that.

[limostudd]

i have my crown vic daily driver worked fine went to start it one day after work and no start had all lights every work turn the key nothing no crank it was the safety neutral switch some time the starters just go also try to jumping the starter

[FW_Linc/Merc]

Found the link to test the pump. Is there ant reason to upgrade the pump to the GT40 for a stock setup?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56597&highlight=pump

[FW_Linc/Merc]

I checked all the parts in the system today and now I have no choice but to replace the fuel pump. I don't have a lift so I guess I will be sleeping under the car soon.

[fastblackmerc]

Found the link to test the pump. Is there ant reason to upgrade the pump to the GT40 for a stock setup?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56597&highlight=pump

Only if your going to add forced induction....

[CBT]

Sometimes you have to turn the key a couple times and let the line pressurize. Same thing happens when you change the fuel filter.