Again?! I can't believe it!

The Mustang Kid · 06-13-2009

Hey,
You guys will never guess what just happened today. My Mustang won't start again. I got it running last week, but the battery kept draining on me (again). I got the idea that maybe the alternator was the problem. Yesterday, I took the alternator off, and today I had it tested. It's fine. So, I put it back on. When I went to start it, it cranks over great, but won't fire. I checked all the plugs, wires, vaccum lines, ect. and nothing helped. I'm begining to wonder if buying a $300 Mustang was such a good investment, or do the 2.3L engines have a problem with reliability? I always thought they were good engines, just not very powerful. Any ideas on my no start problem would be appriciated. Thanks!

Shine1Stang · 06-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mustang Kid

Hey,
You guys will never guess what just happened today. My Mustang won't start again. I got it running last week, but the battery kept draining on me (again). I got the idea that maybe the alternator was the problem. Yesterday, I took the alternator off, and today I had it tested. It's fine. So, I put it back on. When I went to start it, it cranks over great, but won't fire. I checked all the plugs, wires, vaccum lines, ect. and nothing helped. I'm begining to wonder if buying a $300 Mustang was such a good investment, or do the 2.3L engines have a problem with reliability? I always thought they were good engines, just not very powerful. Any ideas on my no start problem would be appriciated. Thanks!

Did you check the fuel side too? Get a fuel rail guage, check the fuel filter too.
I have a 88 thunderbird turbo coupe, and as far as reliability goes.... its has 248,xxx miles on it. Stock motor and runs like a charm

The Mustang Kid · 06-14-2009

Thanks!

The fuel filter was just replaced two months ago, and the fuel pump runs when I turn the key. Glad to hear that your 2.3 runs good. Mine only has 85,000 miles and it has horrible reliability.

Shine1Stang · 06-14-2009

Are you actually getting spark then?

rix_five0 · 06-14-2009

You said that you just took off the alternator nothing else right?
Did you make sure that when removing the alternator the battery was disconnected and if not, the wiring from the alternator did not touch anything that might of popped a fuse or caused a short? And also if none of that occurred, did you connect the alternator wiring the right way?