My 2000 Mercury Cougar 6 cyl will start most of the time, but 2 or 3 times a week I will not start. It will crank with what appears adequate starter speed. Some times I can leave it for a while and then it will start. Other times I will have to push it off to get it started. I have had it to a Ford dealer and they can't find anything wrong. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Edited by: hbmitchell

Is it starting and Stalling or just not starting at all?

I does not start at all. Puzzling to me is that even though the battery is strong and cranks well but will not start, but will start with just a short push start. In regard to the Ford dealer they kept the car about three days and it only failed to start once and when the mechanic tried to check it it started. Edited by: hbmitchell

Right up until you said it would take apush start i thought i had something not im not sure smileys/smiley5.gif

I was thinking that it might be the starter switch. As the switch is in the 'on' position there is B+ going to certain things (like the ignition coil). As you move the switch to 'start', if the switch is bad, you can loose the B+ to something like the ignition coil or fuel pump. Test the switch by useing the diagram or B+ at pins in positions list.

Thanks for the info - I will try that - that seems very logical.


Harold smileys/smiley4.gif

A member that had a similar problem sent information that helped me resolve this problem. see site below:


http://www.autobytel.com/content/own/service/index.cfm/actio n/RecallsView/seriesid/17033 (http://www.autobytel.com/content/own/service/index.cfm/action/RecallsView/seriesid/17033)


Thanks to all, Harold smileys/smiley1.gif


Sorry to report that this didn't help still


having the same problem.smileys/smiley19.gifEdited by: hbmitchell

You meen to tell us that it was a misrouted alternator cable cause the intermentent starting problem?

No, it was the fuel module (fuel pump). The first item that you see in that link -Campaign Number:04V421000. It has now been replaced and seems to be working fine.http://www.mercuryforum.com/smileys/smiley1.gif


UPDATE 2/26/05


This did not help - still have same ProblemEdited by: hbmitchell

Harold,
I still think your problem is intermittent, b+ to some component, most likely the igntion module. Try this if you can, get a clamp-on timing light clip it to anyone of the spark plug wires and to the battery. Use tie wraps to route the wires away from any heat or moving parts. Then when the car won't start have somebody crank the engine and you check the timing light if it blinks or not? This will help you narrow the problem from igntion or fuel

Sounds like i would try the safety neutral switch sounds funny.


But you never know?

Thanks, I will pass this on to themechanic that is checking on the problem now. I have the car at an indipendent shop - I couldn't handle the charges from the dealership. Hope this can be resolved soon.

Thanks, I have passed this info on to the mechanic that is check on it now. Harold

Windzer,
I think the neutral safety switch would cause the car not to crank. This one cranks but won't start

Are you sure the starter is engaging the flywheel the 99-00 cougars did have problems with starter flywheel engagment. Unfortunatly the fix was to replace the starter and the flywheel. Also when it doesnt start and just cranks has anyone checked for spark?

I've also have heard about the fuel tank warpping causing the same problem, does it ever happen with a full fuel tank?

I don't think it ever happened with a full tank, it did happen the last time with 3/4 tank. I am passing all these suggestions on to the mechanic that is trying to find the problem. Biggest problem is that it has not happened with him in over a week.


Thanks so much for all these ideas - if I ever get it fixed I will be sure to report the findings. Haroldsmileys/smiley17.gif