# First crank or never **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mercury, cougar\ **Created:** [July 10, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-crank-or-never/80268 "2013-07-10T18:14:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Finlandbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@Finlandbob](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Finlandbob)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-crank-or-never/80268/1 "2013-07-10T18:14:31Z")
My 1999 Cougar runs great! When it starts, that is. When it decides to start it will do so on the first crank. When it doesn’t there is not a hint of spark. Not a chort, chug or stumble. I had the ignition module replaced but the problem didn’t go away. Once the car is warm it will re-start without a glitch. When it cools the engine just cranks and cranks. It sat all winter in Northern Minnesota with 3 feet of snow covering it. I pulled out a battery charger in April, charged the battery… and it started with the touch of the key. Ran it to running temperature. Restarted it a few times within 2 hours. Next morning… nothing. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-crank-or-never/80268/2 "2013-07-10T21:20:04Z")
Besides the ignition module, what was done or checked? When it acts up, did you do a simple coil resistance check? Have you checked for any codes? ---
**Author:** ![researcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/edb3f5/32.png) [@researcher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/researcher)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-crank-or-never/80268/3 "2013-07-10T21:43:05Z")
When it doesn’t start the first time, have you tried a ‘flood clear’. That is where you hold the accelerator pedal to the floor while cranking. If it catches, release the pedal and see if it idles okey. ---
**Author:** ![Finlandbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@Finlandbob](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Finlandbob)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-crank-or-never/80268/4 "2013-07-10T22:49:37Z")
ignition module and coil were replaced. First the one and then the other by a certified mechanic who has offered to tow it to a dealer. Says he doesn’t have time for it. Thought he fixed the problem both times only to have it misbehave after only a day or two each time. As for flood clear? Never a wise thing to do on a fuel ejection (It’s a 99 not a 69:)) … but, against all better judgment I’ve done that too. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2013, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-crank-or-never/80268/5 "2013-07-10T23:03:39Z")
Flood clear is programmed into the fuel injection for WOT and engine in start cycle, so there is nothing wrong with doing this on a 99. ---
**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2013, 11:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-crank-or-never/80268/6 "2013-07-10T23:06:15Z")
Btw, flooring a FI car while starting overrides the computer’s normal behavior so Researcher is absolutely correct in suggesting it. It is a perfectly legitimate way to clear a flood condition as it does not activate the injectors in that mode. You’ve replaced the ignition module but have you checked for spark? ---
**Author:** ![Finlandbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@Finlandbob](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Finlandbob)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-crank-or-never/80268/7 "2013-07-10T23:47:30Z")
Now that it has sat for the winter I can’t recall the mechanic’s circumstance that promoted the first two change outs. My hope was that a common problem, be it computer or electrical component, would prompt a response… "Hey… I know what that is… here’s what I finally found it was…" Thank you gentlemen. ---
**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-crank-or-never/80268/8 "2013-07-11T00:21:52Z")
My crystal ball is in my other pants. It could be a thousand things and any single one suggestion would be a guess, based on what we know about your condition - answering the questions “what was done or checked? When it acts up, did you do a simple coil resistance check? Have you checked for any codes? Does it have spark?” those may help us help you.