97 Probe turns over but won't start sometimes

[neo]

Hi Guys,

My 97 Probe intermittently turns over but won't fire. I've replaced the dizzy and crank angle sensor but am still having problems. I can post video of it trying to start if it helps.

Any ideas?

[REDDYZ]

Next time you have this problem, see if there is a spark and whether fuel is being pumped....

[baz]

I found with my cougar that you need a good battery, my car turned over all right but would'nt start one day, charged up the battery and no problem. I discovered I had'nt used the car for 7 weeks, which is stupid of me as out of 3 cars its the only one with full comp insurance,

[DRU842]

How old are the plug leads; oh & check the fuel pump cut-off.

[neo]

Thanks for all your input, guys. It was at the auto electricians for a week but it fired up EVERY time for them. They can't diagnose the problem until it fails. So now I have to wait until it won't start again and get them to come out when it does.

The plug leads were replaced with the dizzy last month, dru.

[baz]

Well if it fired up every day it won't be a week battery, which would have been an easy fix, it sounds like a fuel pump problem,could be a fuel pump relay playing up,try replacing that.

[baz]

When you find out what the problem was let us know in case it happenes to us. Baz

[neo]

Yeah, no worries. There's no spark so they are testing the new distributor to see if it's faulty.

[WOGBOY69]

hi neo

mate just reading this thread and my brother has a 97 probe gt .and one day it starts and the other no go
sounds like a typical ford problem from the probes
have you sus it out what it was ..does it draw power from somewere when you put the meater on the battery
my brother changes the dizzy got a new one from the states and still does the same thingleads are done as well

i reakon just get rid of it ..things like that pee me of it looks great but i think my brother will sell it now after he fixes it up....he likes his bmw convertables

cheers

[neo]

Replaced the dizzy and crank angle sensor (AGAIN). Still under warranty thankfully. Starts no problem now. Still waiting to see if the part was faulty.

[Eddie.Gee]

Originally Posted by neo

Replaced the dizzy and crank angle sensor (AGAIN). Still under warranty thankfully. Starts no problem now. Still waiting to see if the part was faulty.

I had this as an intermittent problem with my Probe a couple of years ago. It got that bad in the end that it would not start at all. The auto electrician should be able to work out if it is the crank sensor etc by the codes. It could be the sensor but get him to disable the alarm system and see if this helps, I know this sounds weird.

[neo]

ARGGH!!! It happened AGAIN. After replacing the dizzy and crank angle sensor for the second time 6 months ago.. it stopped kicking over yesterday.

Surely it has to be the fuel pump?!

[SSFPARTSGUY]

It sounds like it. Check the power to the fuel pump, it could just be a wire shorting. Alternatively you fuel shutoff switch may have an issue and is also worth a gander at. Good luck finding a solution.

[neo]

Put in a third dizzy (because the mechanic said it had a crack in it) and it still wouldn't start. He finally listened to me (us) and realised we were right. Fuel pump was stuffed. It's all working fine now. Fingers crossed that was the problem!

[teamjennings]

Been a common problem in Probes for years. We've had our 96 Probe since 2002. Replaced the Dizzy twice and the Crank angle sensor once. Still have the same problem.

Next time it happens, disconnect and reconnect the electrical connection just behind the oil dipstick. Hit it on the key and she'll start every time.

[neo]

Turns out that was the problem, Teamjennings.

It starts every time I wiggle that lead you mentioned. I took it to an auto electrician who told me he can't do anything about it until it stops working again! Frustrating to say the least.

Neo.