Need help on a ford aspire, it will not start.....

[FestYboy]

From what he is saying, fuel isn't even making it to the Fuel Filter though.

Totally glazed over that post and missed the "not coming out of the filter" part.

William, I like where your head is at. But even then, something should push out the filter....

[muleskinner]

Yes, we tried that and no fuel was pumping out of the fuel filter (we replaced that). I don't get it. We replaced that pump 3x's and still nothing .... Could the pump be wired backwards? We have been getting them at Oreilles.

Crap I got that backwards fuel IS pumping out ! Sorry!

SO what could it be? A bad regulator or something with the air meter?

I know I'm getting spark.

[muleskinner]

Sounds like an electrical issue? Is there power to injectors?

How do I check for power to the injectors?

Or what could it be if I have no power to the injectors? Fuses have already been checked.

[william]

Main relay if it's like a festiva or capri.
Sorry for my ignorance about aspires.
The main relay fires the injectors

[muleskinner]

I'm thinking its not the injectors because I sprayed starter fluid in and still no start. Wouldn't it at least kick over for a bit?

Remember I had it backwards. I am getting fuel up to the fuel rail.

[FestYboy]

You have spark, you can apply fuel, so it's either lack of compression, or the timing is off. So back to basics: verify cam timing (pull the upper timing belt cover for this), make sure the rotor under the dizzy cap is in the correct position.

[muleskinner]

Ok, I think FestYboy might have found the problem by mentioning the MAF.

After searching, a faulty MAF matches my problem. The car has run bad in the past and gets horrible gas mileage. Then this happened where the car would not start but would chug and stall at times. Tried starter fluid and nothing. Where as if there was no power to the injectors the starter fluid would at least kick over the engine a bit.
I have a new MAF coming. Process of elimination.

[drddan]

I am still with the school of injectors. Sounds like the only thing that hasn't been checked.

[muleskinner]

You have spark, you can apply fuel, so it's either lack of compression, or the timing is off. So back to basics: verify cam timing (pull the upper timing belt cover for this), make sure the rotor under the dizzy cap is in the correct position.

If it's lack of compression, It's time for an Aspire swap on a Festiva!!

[muleskinner]

I am still with the school of injectors. Sounds like the only thing that hasn't been checked.

I looked into it and curtain things didn't match up being that.
If the MAF doesn't work, then I will look into the injectors more closely & the timing.
I'll tell you one thing though if the engine is gone the car will be parted out.

[muleskinner]

[

[firebush357]

Have you checked to see if your Timing belt is still on? and/or your dizzy hasn't rotated?

To check to see if the injectors are working couldn't you just crank it for a bit and then pull a spark plug out to see if there is fuel on it or a smell of fuel in the cylinder?

[tooldude]

Ok, I think FestYboy might have found the problem by mentioning the MAF.

After searching, a faulty MAF matches my problem. The car has run bad in the past and gets horrible gas mileage. Then this happened where the car would not start but would chug and stall at times. Tried starter fluid and nothing. Where as if there was no power to the injectors the starter fluid would at least kick over the engine a bit.
I have a new MAF coming. Process of elimination.

There may be a missing CMP sensor signal which locates cylinder #1. That should give a code 3.Have you checked for codes? A bad MAF sensor should give code 8. The performance condition could be a separate issue from the no-crank condition.

[ericsmith32]

I'm guessing you changed out the disty? I've ran into this with a Aspire once but has been a LONG time. What year is it? If I remember correct timing is internal to the disty 94-95 and 96-97 have a external trigger up front. Disty's seem to be weak spot with both Festiva and Aspires.. The Aspire's coil is internally which compounds it even further.

[muleskinner]

There may be a missing CMP sensor signal which locates cylinder #1. That should give a code 3.Have you checked for codes? A bad MAF sensor should give code 8. The performance condition could be a separate issue from the no-crank condition.

I don't have a code reader.