2006 Lincoln Town Car No start after sitting for 3 weeks.

[WeReallyLovePizza]

Make

Lincoln

Model

Town car

Year

2006

Miles

80000

Engine

4.6

After sitting for 3 weeks, it cranks, but will not start.
Good battery, enough fuel in tank, fuel inertia switch in on position.

My scanner came up with no codes.

Thank you for any advice it is very appreciated.

 

[billr]

Is there any spark? Have you tried starting-fluid?

If there is spark, and no joy with starting-fluid, the next step is to take compression readings.

 

[WeReallyLovePizza]

Was hesitant to use starting fluid…how do you recommend? Just spray a small squirt in the air filter box or further up the air tube?

This car has coil on plug, so I’m not sure how to test for spark with spark plug wires.

Thank you

 

[grcauto]

Battery.Check voltage while cranking. Needs to hold 10.5

 

[billr]

Open the air filter box and spray starting-fluid into the tube going from the box to the throttle-body.

Remove one coil from its plug, but leave it connected to the wiring harness. Place the high-voltage end of the coil near some ground point and look for a spark. The spark should jump a gap of at least 1/2"

 

[WeReallyLovePizza]

Ok I will try this and report back.
As far as staring fluid, should I be liberal with it or just a small quick squirt?
Thank you

 

[WeReallyLovePizza]

Battery.Check voltage while cranking. Needs to hold 10.5

Ok will check

 

[grcauto]

Even though it cranks If it drops below 10 volts the computers will not be alive and you will not have spark.

 

[billr]

A quick squirt, like 1/4 to 1/2 second.

 

[WeReallyLovePizza]

Ok squirted in air box before maf? Sensor.
Ran for a split second then died out.
I guess spark is good?
Have not checked spark as I am the only one here.
Ps I changed the fuel filter as well to no avail. Fuel was clean and no debris in filter.

 

[WeReallyLovePizza]

What I do notice is sometimes when key is on the gas gauge doesn’t register, other times it does.

 

[billr]

Yes, since it fires with the starting-fluid this is probably *only* a fueling problem. I suppose their is some slim possibility the starting-fluid will ignite just from heat of compression, no spark, but let's ignore that for now.

Time to check fuel pressure; but before you do that, check the electrical connector to the fuel pump. The flakey gauge operation is a hint the pump/sensor assembly has a poor connection.

 

[WeReallyLovePizza]

What am I looking for/ what should I do with regards to the flakey electrical connection?

 

[billr]

Unplug the connector and check both male and female terminals for corrosion, then plug back together. If you are *lucky*, like me, you will see that the connector is not fully together right when you first see/feel it. Fully disconnect and re-connect anyway. Sliding the terminals against one another will help wipe them clean and make a better contact, even if there is no visible corrosion.

I say "see/feel" because this connector is likely to be in a very hard to access area, like on top of the fuel tank. If you can't get to it with a reasonable effort, then go for the fuel pressure test before dropping the tank.

 

[WeReallyLovePizza]

Will check it out and report back, thanks.