Non Ranger Problem, but very urgent.

[MorganMcCann]

Two days ago my buddy picked up a 2000 V6 Mustang. The guy I bought it from said it had been sitting for all of winter, because it isn't very good in the winter. We brought it home, and it drove good for two days. Tossed a sang bag in the trunk a bit aggressively (made the car shake) and now it will crank, but not start up. It will start with starting fluid, and I can hear the fuel pump turn on.
Could I have knocked something loose in the fuel filter and it be plugged?
Any suggestions would be helpful! thanks!

 

[martin]

Are you sure it's the pump you can hear running? it would suggest that the inertia switch tripped.

 

[superds]

I'm guessing inertia switch also. Look in the owner's manual for instructions on where to find and reset it.

 

[Mark_88]

I agree with inertia switch...and you will probably find it inside the trunk on the back wall...that's where the Tempo and maybe other models had them...

 

[adsm08]

Yup, the inertia switch is in the trunk. You probably tripped it.

 

[MorganMcCann]

How does one untrip that?

 

[superds]

You should be able to reset it by pressing the red button down.

 

[MorganMcCann]

Switch was fine, we thought it was the fuel pump. Put a new fuel pump in, still won't start.

 

[txgocartB3000]

Did you change the filter?

Ray

 

[MorganMcCann]

Brand new fram fuel filter.

 

[Mark_88]

Did you actually bypass the inertia switch or just push the button to reset it? Pull the switch and put a U shaped wire (12 or 14 gauge...can't remember) between the two wires on the connector and try starting it...

Are you getting gas at the plug? Are you getting spark at the plug? Try starting it and then pull one of the plugs and smell for gas...if no...fuel pressure regulator possibly...check that by pulling the vac line and sniffing it...if you smell gas there, then that is the problem.

If you smell gas on the plugs after cranking, you probably don't have spark...

 

[MorganMcCann]

Did you actually bypass the inertia switch or just push the button to reset it? Pull the switch and put a U shaped wire (12 or 14 gauge...can't remember) between the two wires on the connector and try starting it...

Are you getting gas at the plug? Are you getting spark at the plug? Try starting it and then pull one of the plugs and smell for gas...if no...fuel pressure regulator possibly...check that by pulling the vac line and sniffing it...if you smell gas there, then that is the problem.

If you smell gas on the plugs after cranking, you probably don't have spark...

At the schrader on the fuel rail, there was some fuel but not much.
I did bypass the switch, with no luck.
And the car will start with starter fluid.

 

[Mark_88]

So...fuel is the problem...and you've replaced the fuel pump, filter, and there is very little pressure at the rail...sounds like FPR...

Can you check the pressure before the filter? A vacuum tester can be used to test fuel pressure...last time I suggested that someone mentioned that the vac testers don't go high enough for anything over 30 psi or so...haven't looked at mine for a while but I know it goes to at least 30 psi...do you know what pressure is used on the V6?

 

[MorganMcCann]

Where is the fuel pressure regulator?
Or could the pump have sucked up some sediments when the tank got shook, and perhaps a line be clogged?

 

[Mark_88]

Just checked for the 2000 Mustang with a 3.8 V6 - no FPR...what I did find, in the on-line repair manual (link below) is the following...

<table class="fd_table"><tbody><tr><th valign="bottom">Item</th> <th valign="bottom">Part Number</th> <th valign="bottom">Description</th> </tr><tr valign="top"> <td> 1 </td> <td>9341 </td> <td>Inertia fuel shutoff switch</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> 2 </td> <td>9F593 </td> <td>Fuel injector</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> 3 </td> <td>9155 </td> <td>Fuel filter</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> 4 </td> <td>9002 </td> <td>Fuel tank</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> 5 </td> <td>9H307 </td> <td>Fuel pump module and flange assembly</td> </tr></tbody></table> WARNING: Do not smoke or carry lighted tobacco or open flame of any type when working on or near any fuel-related components. Highly flammable mixtures are always present and may be ignited, resulting in possible personal injury.
The vehicle:

• uses a returnless fuel system.
• is equipped with a multiport fuel injection (MFI) system.
• uses separately controlled fuel injectors (9F593) for each cylinder. The fuel injectors are mounted to the intake manifold.
• fuel injectors are supplied with pressurized fuel from the fuel pump (9350) through the fuel injection supply manifold (9D280).
• fuel injection supply manifold is controlled by the electronic fuel delivery module which is enabled by the powertrain control module (PCM) (12A650).

So...looks like you need to get a proper fuel pressure gauge or price out/swap out or check out the components involved...

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=319