# 98 Mystique occasional trouble starting

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-mystique-occasional-trouble-starting/9580>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [January 18, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-mystique-occasional-trouble-starting/9580 "2008-01-18T21:01:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![98mystique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/7cd45c/32.png) [@98mystique](https://community.cartalk.com/u/98mystique)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-mystique-occasional-trouble-starting/9580/1 "2008-01-18T21:01:12Z")

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I have a 1998 Mercury Mystique which will periodically not start. It cranks fine but will not start. If I wait a few hours the car will start fine and I will not have any other problems for a few weeks or months. Then it will, once again, not start. Two shops have been unable to find any problem. Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![mr\_josh](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mr_josh/32/3008_2.png) [@mr\_josh](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mr_josh)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-mystique-occasional-trouble-starting/9580/2 "2008-01-18T21:15:05Z")

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When you can’t get it to start, try this:

Turn the ignition to Off, wait a couple of seconds, turn the ignition to On (not Start, just On) and listen very carefully. You should be able to hear the fuel pump whine for a couple of seconds. If it doesn’t, I’m willing to bet you either have a bad fuel pump relay, or failing pump.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2008, 11:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-mystique-occasional-trouble-starting/9580/3 "2008-01-19T11:55:56Z")

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Is there any connection with moisture? Does it do it more on humid mornings or after a rain?

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**Author:** ![98mystique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/7cd45c/32.png) [@98mystique](https://community.cartalk.com/u/98mystique)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-mystique-occasional-trouble-starting/9580/4 "2008-01-19T14:14:08Z")

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The last time the car wouldn’t start was during the morning after a rain. Everything was still pretty damp.

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-mystique-occasional-trouble-starting/9580/5 "2008-01-19T15:15:52Z")

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The spark plug wires, ignition coil, and other wires could be getting a damp coating from the dew or high humidity. When the engine is just barely warm, use a silicone spray on the spark plug wires and ignition coil. The silicone spray can prevent the moisture from getting into the little cracks in the coverings.