1996 Ford Contour GL Will Not Start

[Lavell]

Hello All,

I'm new to the forum. I'm very impressed that a forum like this exist for Ford Contours. I'm very happy to be a part of it. But I do have a serious problem with my car as outlined in my sig. I hope you all can help as I'm completely lost and really want my car to run.

Sometime in September this year, I was driving home from the gym one day. All of a sudden, I started to lose power and speed. I pressed my foot on the accelerator, but was still dropping power and speed. I came to a gradual stop on the side of the highway. I got towed to my house and the tow truck guy told me that my timing belt was broke. As a result, the timing was off. I popped the hood and remove the timing belt covers and found that the timing belt was still intact. Since then, I haven't been able to start my car. I've been troubleshooting this problem for the last 2 weeks and have not been successful in fixing it. So far, I've done the following:

Replaced the battery & cables,
Replaced the alternator,
Replaced the starter,
Replaced the spark plugs & wires,
Replaced the crankshaft position sensor,
Replaced the timing belt,
Replaced the fuel filter,
Checked all fuses and electrical connections. All are good.
Had the ignition coil pack tested at a local Auto Zone. The coil pack passed.
Inspected the fuel pump. Everything checks out and it does work. There was fuel in the lines. Spark plugs were wet with fuel. Black burned marks were present at the tip of the spark plugs. That tells me that I'm getting spark.

When I turn the key to the "start" position, I hear the starter motor running normally. The accessory drive belt turns as well as the timing belt. For some reason, the engine won't turn over. When I thought my timing was off, I turned the crankshaft pulley manually just to make sure that the timing belt was still intact and it is. So there's no indication of a engine lock-up.

If you guys think that I've missed something, please let me know. I've thought of everything possible that would prevent the car from starting and tried to fix the problem. All of my efforts have failed.

I don't consider myself an expert mechanic. But I know how to do basic maintenance to keep the car running. I've had this car since 1998 and it's been good to me. I own the title and would like to keep it running. If you guys can point me in the right direction and help me fix this BIG problem, I would really appreciate it very much. Thank you for any information you can provide.

P. S. I've learned that on the 1996 - 2000 Contours, Ford decided to get rid of the ignition control module and integrated the duties of the ICM over to the powertrain control module. If my car died on me the way I described it could it be a possibility that the PCM failed on me and as a result, the car slowed and stopped, then refusing to start again?

If you need more information, please let me know and I will provide it. Thanks again.
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[G O R T]

Put a fuel pressure gage on the fuel line schrader valve and check for 45 psi with ignition on and while cranking.

Use an inductive timing light to determine that plugs are firing.

If the engine turns over too quickly, pull the fuel pump fuse and crank out excess gas, then try again.

Press down slightly on the gas pedal while cranking in case the IAC is not opening.

Check static timing by observation of timing marks.

Use an OBD II scantool to check sensor data (MAF, ECT, TPS...)

Use your head and quit wasting money!

[hozman]

can u help me find the pcm on my contour been working on it for a long time can not find the pcm thanks

[VoD]

Is your serpentine belt still intact?

[TheGhost2308]

vYour PCM is on the in the car, on the passenger side, under the dash, on the floor. i dont think thats your problem though. i have a contour gl with an unknown problem. it sometimes stalls while driving and turns over but dont start. the overdrive light flashes before it shuts off. i made the mistake of thinking it was the PCM because a computer told me the ignition module was bad and ended up spending $525. now over $1000 later ford can not figure out what the problem is. i would just be very careful before you decide to replace your PCM. i think you should get ford to run some diagnostics at least. if you do decide to replace your PCM make sure you disconnect your battery while you switch the PCM's.