96 contour gl wont start plaese help

[charder]

had a misfire so i replaced the plugs which looked bad, still misfired but not as badly so i replaced the ignition coil and plug wires later that day heard a knocking noise when accelerating and the car was overheating. i checked the coolant fluid and found it to be brown and rusty so i drained and flushed the radiator. drove it around my neighborhood and when i went to park i switched from drive to reverse and it stalled. then it wouldnt start unless i compressed the gas pedal half way. now a few days later its wont start. it turns over but doesnt start any suggustions please!!

[charder]

one of my friends told me to look in to a pickup sensor or sesor pickup something like that but i cant find anything. its something that tells the car when to spark i think can anyone help?

[BroncoJoe19]

For an engine to run you need fuel, air, compression, and spark and in the correct amounts and delivered at the correct time.

If you have a clean air filter we can pretty much assume that you will get enough air to start. It may not run well, but it should start. The thing that has the most control for metering the air is the IAC.

Your engine and computer produce and store diagnostic codes that can be retrieved with a code scanner. They have come down in price that you may have a friend who owns one and may allow you to borrow it. OR Autozone or other chain parts stores may allow you to borrow it on their tool loaner program.

Otherwise we have to do it the old fashioned way. Pull a spark plug, hold it to a ground, and have someone crank the engine to see if you get a spark at the plug.

Turn the key to the ON position and listen at the gas cap for the intank fuel pump to prime.

OK... so that's a start.

[charder]

found it was a blown head gasket. bought "steel seal" supposed to seal it and it stopped smoking but now i have a problem with overheating. nothing goes rite for me!!

[G O R T]

Early Contours with the white plastic water pump impellars will fail and cause overheating. This tends to warp the head. If you replace the water pump be very thorough in retrieving those peices. They can clog cooling passages and cause continued problems.