Car turns over, but doesn't start. Spark plug?

Maintenance/Repairs
1

Hello,

Great forums! I have learned a lot already. My Ford Fusion tries to start, but won’t. Below is a 20 second video of the issue. Any thoughts based on this noise? I have read that it could be a spark plug or fuel pump issue. Thanks a lot for any guidance.

2

Hard to tell the gauges, out of gas?

3

I don’t click on unknown links/files.

No matter. Apparently you turn the key and it goes REV-REV-REV-REV, but doesn’t start running. Yes, it could be a fuel pump. No it won’t be “a” spark plug, but it could be lack of spark.

If I said something like “spray some starter fluid into the throttle body and crank it over to see if it runs briefly” would you know what to do? Not meaning to be unhelpful, but you probably just need a mechanic.

2 Likes
4

Cranking like that could be a bad crank sensor, could be a lack of fuel for multiple reasons, could be lack of spark for multiple reasons…

From the video, it sounds like it has compression of some amount anyway, not cranking too fast and not uneven like internal damage… imo

Has the check engine light been on lately??

Are you able, with tools and knowledge, to check for spark and or fuel?? If not then it might be time for a tow to a competent repair shop…

1 Like
5

How long ago was this car last driven or the engine started? If the battery has been dead for a couple of months, you may need to have the immobilizer reprogrammed for each key you have.

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6

First off, get yourself some starter fluid (starting ether) and spray some (carefully, don’t overdo it) into the air intake, in the opening before your air filter housing. Try to start the car. If the car doesn’t start, then you have an ignition problem (no spark). If it does run for a few seconds, you either have a fuel pump/pump relay/fuse problem or your injectors aren’t firing (electrical short, bad ECM, etc). There is obviously no problem with your battery or starter motor.

If “no spark” is the conclusion, then it gets more complicated, as there could be any number of reasons for that. Possibly you could look up on YouTube how to test for primary voltage 12V at the ignition coils when the key is turned “on”. If you have voltage, then maybe you have a crank sensor problem (ECM doesn’t know the engine is turning over on the starter motor). There are also other sensors that can keep your car from starting, but diagnosing them might be more than you are capable of, I don’t know. .