98 Contour not getting fuel

tjfohre · 10-04-2008, 06:56 PM

just bougt 3 days ago, 2.5L, 80 k miles, ran excellent for 3 days. Parked it this afternoon, now not starting. 1/2 tank of gas. Any suggestions ?

BroncoJoe19 · 10-04-2008, 07:04 PM

How do you know it is not getting fuel?
It should have 35 psi at the fuel rail.

This is from your owners manual
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks, but does not
start or does not start after a
collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been activated.
The shut-off switch is a device
intended to stop the electric fuel
pump when your vehicle has been
involved in a substantial jolt.
Once the shut-off switch is
activated, you must reset the
switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle. The switch is located
on the side panel in front of the
driver’s side door.

BroncoJoe19 · 10-04-2008, 07:21 PM

[b]No power to fuel pump[/b]
Check the inertia switch (fuel safety cut off switch). The red button should be depressed.

[B]Pull out your owner's manual. [/B]
IF you don't have one, you may obtain one here...
https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/owners%5Fmanuals/
It will have a diagram under [I]roadside emergencies [/I]of which fuse powers the fuel pump relay. Check the fuse(s). (note: there may be more than one fuse... one to the relay, one to the pump, and maybe one that goes from the power distribution box to the fuse circuits under the dash)

IF that is good then check the relay.
[URL="http://broncozone.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=14905&view=findpost&p=78605"]How to check a fuel pump relay[/URL]

tjfohre · 10-04-2008, 07:37 PM

i checked the switch already, it is depressed as stated in my manual. it will fire but for a split second, then it sputter out

BroncoJoe19 · 10-04-2008, 07:44 PM

When you turn the key on do you hear the fuel pump prime? IF you are not sure, open the gas cap, and listen while someone else turns the key on.

theoldwizard · 10-05-2008, 01:38 AM

[QUOTE=tjfohre;63466]i checked the switch already, it is depressed as stated in my manual. it will fire but for a split second, then it sputter out[/QUOTE]

Will it do this several times ? If so you are getting fuel, you may not be getting air !

Next time, as it is cranking, slowly start stepping on the accelerator pedal until it is fully depressed.

tjfohre · 10-05-2008, 12:25 PM

we, checked the fuse, the cut off switch, pump seemed to be working this morning, we also put new filter in. now not sounding like fuel pump is working at all.

BroncoJoe19 · 10-05-2008, 12:34 PM

When you turn the key on do you hear the fuel pump prime? IF you are not sure, open the gas cap, and listen while someone else turns the key on.

There is a schraeder valve (like a tire valve) in your fuel rail. IF you hook up a fuel pressure gauge to it, it should have 35psi with the pump running.

BroncoJoe19 · 10-05-2008, 07:59 PM

Did you listen for the pump? Do you not hear it and that is why you are saying that it sounds like it is not working? OR are you saying that it sounds like it is not working becuase the car won't start?

Did you check the fuel pump relay?

Next you'll want to see if you are getting power to the pump.