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desmoman151
Charter Member
49 posts		 Jul-27-02, 11:45 AM (EDT)
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"Help! Car won't start!"
 
   I need some assistance here. I just got through replacing the front air struts on my 1996 Mark VIII last night. Started it up, took it for a quick ride around the block and then parked it back in the garage. Today I went in and the car turns over but won't seem to start. I can't figure out why. Is there some anti theft thing that might have triggered it? When I take the key out of the ignition and open the door, the anti theft light blinks, but then stops when I close the door. Also, as soon as I take the key out, the LED readout quickly says check airbag suspension. When I run the diagnostic test, it says Air Ride is OK. The air ride switch is on and the carhas been holding air over night which the struts I just replaced leaked over the course of several hours.
Right now I just need help trying to figure out why the car won't start. Any ideas???

Mike


Desmoman151
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC


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  Subject     Author     Message Date     ID  
  RE: Help! Car won't start! SVT MARK VIII Jul-27-02 1
     RE: Help! Car won't start! desmoman151 Jul-27-02 2
         RE: Help! Car won't start! Nightsky 93 VIIImoderator Jul-27-02 3
             RE: Help! Car won't start! MO Stangteam Jul-27-02 4
                 RE: Help! Car won't start! kwikwaymel Jul-27-02 5
                     RE: Help! Car won't start! teteam Jul-27-02 6
             RE: Help! Car won't start! desmoman151 Jul-28-02 7
                 RE: Help! Car won't start! ONEBADMK8team Jul-28-02 8
                     RE: Help! Car won't start! desmoman151 Jul-28-02 9
                         RE: Help! Car won't start! ONEBADMK8team Jul-28-02 10
                             RE: Help! Car won't start! desmoman151 Jul-29-02 11
                                 RE: Help! Car won't start! ONEBADMK8team Jul-29-02 12
                                     RE: Help! Car won't start! desmoman151 Aug-01-02 13
                                         RE: Help! Car won't start! Nightsky 93 VIIImoderator Aug-02-02 14
                                             RE: Help! Car won't start! desmoman151 Aug-02-02 15
                                             RE: Help! Car won't start! workoutmanteam Aug-02-02 16
                                             RE: Help! Car won't start! dsinclairteam Aug-02-02 17
                                             RE: Help! Car won't start! desmoman151 Aug-02-02 18

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SVT MARK VIII
Charter Member
20 posts		 Jul-27-02, 11:56 AM (EDT)
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1. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #0
 
   I BET YOU I KNOW!!! JUST BELOW THE AIR RIDE SWITCH IN THE TRUNK THERE IS A SAFTY FUEL PUMP CUT OFF BUTTON IT SHOULD BE RED MAYBE 1 INCH LOWER THAN THE SWITCH TRY PUSHING IT BACK DOWN YOU MAY HAVE BUMPED IT TOO HARD....

AND REMEMBER SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA SMASH SOME SH!T WITH A HAMMER J/K HOPE THAT WAS IT GL BRO

OHH YA FRIENDS DONT LET FRIENDS DRIVE IMPORTS AHHAHHAHAH I JUST HAD THAT PRINTED ON A SHIRT IS SOOO GREAT. WELL YA GL


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desmoman151
Charter Member
49 posts		 Jul-27-02, 12:42 PM (EDT)
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2. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #1
 
   Hope. The fuel cut off is fine. This is really frustrating. I really think it has something to do with the anit-theft system. I don't want to burn my battery/starter out trying. Any one else have any idea here. I checked the owners manual and it doesn't seem that I have done anything wrong as far as arming the system, but I could be wrong. I just can figure out why after closing the doors and locking the car I can't unlock the car and start it right up.

Anyone?


Desmoman151
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC


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Nightsky 93 VIIImoderator
Charter Member
3807 posts		 Jul-27-02, 02:02 PM (EDT)
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3. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #2
 
May possibly be the CPS (Cam position sensor). This is the symptom that you are describing. The connector to it goes bad pretty often on these cars. It is on the passenger side front of the engine. Not sure if you can just wiggle the wires and make it work or not, but it's worth a shot. Otherwise leave the car for a day and try again... For some reason this thing is really flakey.


border=0>
PICS of my car

Mike Gilbert
'93 blk/blk
mailto:nightsky@texas.net

NightSky's Mark VIII Pages
Aging is unavoidable. Maturity is optional.


 
 

PICS of my car
Mike Gilbert
mailto:nightsky@texas.net
NightSky's Mark VIII Pages
Aging is unavoidable. Maturity is optional.
 


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MO Stangteam
Charter Member
632 posts		 Jul-27-02, 03:17 PM (EDT)
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4. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #3
 
If it cranks, I'd bet against an anti-theft problem. The anti-theft would probably prevent any cranking at all if it was malfunctioning.

Like was mentioned before, others have had the same problem turn out to be the cam position sensor.

Tony
St. Louis, MO

Wannabe Mark VIII owner
1995 Subaru Impreza LX
1987 Mustang GT

Tony - St. Louis, MO
1998 LSC - Toreador/Light Graphite
1989 Mustang LX 5.0 - Scarlet Red/Gray coupe
>*> Tony's Internet Garage <*<


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kwikwaymel
Charter Member
1060 posts		 Jul-27-02, 07:01 PM (EDT)
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5. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #4
 
   In a situatiopn like this, the first thing I would do is disconnect the battery for a few minutes and then retry starting the car. Nightsky knows a lot more about the anti-theft system than I and it seems that you have narrowed the problem area down a good bit but, the first thing to do with anything electric in our cars is disconnect and reconnect the battery. This allows the ECM to reset itself.
I hope this helps. Keep us posted.


Mel Clark
MelC@Dave-N-Di.com
1994 Mark VIII "SNOWFLAKE"
Honda GL 1500 & Harleys

MotoMel


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teteam
Charter Member
2774 posts		 Jul-27-02, 09:22 PM (EDT)
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6. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #5
 
   Spark plug wires attached properly??
Is there Citgo in the tank?
Fuel filter?
Crank Position Sensor?
Starter wires good?
Fuses in engine bay ok?
????????????

te
94
LM8

???????????


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desmoman151
Charter Member
49 posts		 Jul-28-02, 01:53 PM (EDT)
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7. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #3
 
   Went out this morning and bought a cam position sensor (and crank position sensor for good measure). I took all the plastic decor off the top of the motor. I can't seem to find where the cam position sensor is on the car. I checked the passenger side front of the motor. I see the coil pack and plug wires coming from it. Where exactly should I be looking?

Thanks very much for your help. Now I am off to order one of those Mark VIII manuals on CD for future refernece.

Mike


Desmoman151
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC


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ONEBADMK8team
Charter Member
5358 posts		 Jul-28-02, 02:55 PM (EDT)
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8. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #7
 
   LAST EDITED ON Jul-28-02 AT 03:02 PM (EDT)

You have to remove the PS resevior, and you will see the cam sensor.

Now for the crank sensor.

Its a little tricky to get to, its right at the base of the passenger side front cover, right where the oil pan meets the block.
You have to undo all the ac compressor bolts and let the compressor "slide" to the K member.
Then you can snake the sensor out with ease.


I hope this helps.



www.maxrpm.com/2001/NEWLMS/LMSindex.htm [BR>Click here to visit the home of THE BADDEST Mark VIII's on the planet!

1993 450 hp Supercharged Tasca SuperMark tm
1995 LMS G1R Model Mark VIII. "The TerminVIIIor"©
1998 Pearl Ivory Standard Mark VIII
1965 Shelby Cobra (Dan Gurney Special) SOLD!
1986 Mercury Capri.
1995 Chevrolet Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car 9 of 527. (FOR SALE)

See profile for company info and specs on all our cars.


Team LMS Power, the only way to fly

93 Supercharged Mark ™ 95 LMS Mark VIII. "The TerminVIIIor"
See profile for company info, NEW products and vehicle specs
http://www.lincolnmotorsport.com/press/



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desmoman151
Charter Member
49 posts		 Jul-28-02, 05:29 PM (EDT)
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9. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #8
 
   Thank you all for your help, but I still can't get the car to start. I replaced the cam sensor. Realized that it is actually on the Driver's side and not the passenger. Haven't done the crank sensor yet. The car turns and turns, but never fires even once. One thing I noticed is as I am cranking the engine over, the fuel gague starts to climb and climb to way past full. Is this normal or could this be symptomatic of the problem? I believe I hear the fuel pump prime itself when I first turn the key, so I think the fuel pump is OK.

Any other thoughts? Thanks, again, to all those trying to help.

By the way, I have an OBDII code scanner, but it is at a friend's house right now. Would the scanner pull a code even though the engine won't start, or won't the computer even recognize a problem unless the car is running long enough to cause the check engine light to light up?


Mike


Desmoman151
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC


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ONEBADMK8team
Charter Member
5358 posts		 Jul-28-02, 05:35 PM (EDT)
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10. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #9
 
   LAST EDITED ON Jul-28-02 AT 05:36 PM (EDT)

Replace the crank sensor.

I do not believe you will get any codes with a KOEO self test in this particular situation.



www.maxrpm.com/2001/NEWLMS/LMSindex.htm [BR>Click here to visit the home of THE BADDEST Mark VIII's on the planet!

1993 450 hp Supercharged Tasca SuperMark tm
1995 LMS G1R Model Mark VIII. "The TerminVIIIor"©
1998 Pearl Ivory Standard Mark VIII
1965 Shelby Cobra (Dan Gurney Special) SOLD!
1986 Mercury Capri.
1995 Chevrolet Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car 9 of 527. (FOR SALE)

See profile for company info and specs on all our cars.


Team LMS Power, the only way to fly

93 Supercharged Mark ™ 95 LMS Mark VIII. "The TerminVIIIor"
See profile for company info, NEW products and vehicle specs
http://www.lincolnmotorsport.com/press/



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desmoman151
Charter Member
49 posts		 Jul-29-02, 08:33 AM (EDT)
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11. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #10
 
   Thanks Geno,
I'll replace the crank position sensor tonight...right after I do the brakes on my wife's Buick Riviera.
Regarding my fuel gauge issue...is it normal for the fuel gauge to steadily rise to full and above while cranking the engine? The car is low on gas but still has a good 2-3 gallons in it. I plan on filling it with another 5 gallons just in case.

I really really hope I don't have to call a tow truck to come and haul my car to a dealer. I'm supposed to take it to Indianapolis this weekend (630mi each way).

PS. Once I getting it running again, I'll give you those codes off the computer so you can do a chip for me. Looking forward to it.

Mike


Desmoman151
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC


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ONEBADMK8team
Charter Member
5358 posts		 Jul-29-02, 08:37 AM (EDT)
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12. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #11
 
   Oh man avoid the dealership at all costs.

As for the fuel gauge I have no idea?

I just cranked mine with the coil packs "unplugged" to simulate your situation and it just went up to the half tank mark?

Call me when ever you are ready for the Chip. I look forward to doing business with you and I hope I was of some help, Geno.


www.maxrpm.com/2001/NEWLMS/LMSindex.htm [BR>Click here to visit the home of THE BADDEST Mark VIII's on the planet!

1993 450 hp Supercharged Tasca SuperMark tm
1995 LMS G1R Model Mark VIII. "The TerminVIIIor"©
1998 Pearl Ivory Standard Mark VIII
1965 Shelby Cobra (Dan Gurney Special) SOLD!
1986 Mercury Capri.
1995 Chevrolet Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car 9 of 527. (FOR SALE)

See profile for company info and specs on all our cars.


Team LMS Power, the only way to fly

93 Supercharged Mark ™ 95 LMS Mark VIII. "The TerminVIIIor"
See profile for company info, NEW products and vehicle specs
http://www.lincolnmotorsport.com/press/



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desmoman151
Charter Member
49 posts		 Aug-01-02, 04:14 PM (EDT)
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13. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #12
 
   Yup. It was the crank position sensor. And what a pain to replace! But the job is done and the car is purring like a kitten. In a way, I think this failure was a blessing in disguise. It forced me to replace the cam position sensor (which may have been the next thing to go) and also replace the belt (since I had it off anyway...)

Thanks to all those who gave me a hand with their advice.


Desmoman151
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC


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Nightsky 93 VIIImoderator
Charter Member
3807 posts		 Aug-02-02, 11:27 AM (EDT)
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14. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #13
 
My apologies, I meant to say the crank sensor the first time... Not sure why the cam sensor exited my driveling mouth...

I've been swamped at work and taking a UNIX class at the same time, maybe that is the deal. I had the location right. DOH!!!

Nice pics Geno.


border=0>
PICS of my car

Mike Gilbert
'93 blk/blk
mailto:nightsky@texas.net

NightSky's Mark VIII Pages
Aging is unavoidable. Maturity is optional.


 
 

PICS of my car
Mike Gilbert
mailto:nightsky@texas.net
NightSky's Mark VIII Pages
Aging is unavoidable. Maturity is optional.
 


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desmoman151
Charter Member
49 posts		 Aug-02-02, 01:38 PM (EDT)
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15. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #14
 
   No big deal. The cam position sensor only set me back $8.99 at AutoZone and took all of 5 minutes to replace. It was probably a nice preventitive thing.

Thanks,

Desmoman151
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC


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workoutmanteam
Charter Member
272 posts		 Aug-02-02, 04:06 PM (EDT)
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16. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #15
 
Nice work Geno and Nightsky. Your illustrations were right on the money Geno.

I learned as well. Thank You's


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dsinclairteam
Charter Member
1559 posts		 Aug-02-02, 08:48 PM (EDT)
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17. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #16
 
   I would do it if I had access to the file - but could somebody WITH access - make sure this little "gem" makes it into either the FAQ or a tech article.

This is a GODSEND if someone has the same problem.


DaveS
1998 Mark VIII Really Black
http://www.markviii.org/~dsinclair

www.markviii.org/~dsinclair


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desmoman151
Charter Member
49 posts		 Aug-02-02, 11:04 PM (EDT)
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18. "RE: Help! Car won't start!"
In response to message #17
 
   I agree. Wish O would have taken some digital photos while I was doing the job so I could post them. Pulling the A/C Compressor was the biggest hassle. Took about 2 hrs to take everything apart...about 30 minutes to put it all back together. Wierd.


Desmoman151
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC


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