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Car sometimes wont start, sais check gage, put in new alternator, new batter y new spark plugs, new spark plug wires, changed oil and antifreeze, new oil filter, then the car will start then die. power loss light comes on car gage sais battery is only at 8 amps, test battery, 13 amps, replaced power train, fuses, so the car wont start cause the gage volts due i need to change the voltage regulator or ditch this thing so i jump the car it starts runs for 10 minutes then turn it off, sometimes we can drive after that, but mostly the car starts dies sais the volts are not high enough hopefully this is enough info to get some help I love this car help me please
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I would have probably given it a total tune-up, first, checked all the fluids. New antifreeze. Changed the oil and filter. Drained the gas tank, used fresh gas. Pulled the spark plugs and belt, put a drop or two of oil in each cylinder, then turned the crank by hand before trying the starter motor.
Then, if it cranks good but won't start, have a helper crank it while you visually check for spark at the spark plugs. If spark everywhere, use a gage and check proper fuel pressure. Also, check fuel injector pulse. Any applicable trouble codes?
Check intake, compression, ignition, exhaust & vacuum. If the intake &/or the exhaust is blocked/clogged it won't run. If the radiator acts like old faithful while you crank it, it has a blown head gasket, cracked head & or a cracked block. If the radiator is dry or has very little in it, check the oil & the exhaust for antifreeze/water. If you find antifreeze/water in the oil &/or the exhaust, it has a blown head gasket or cracked head/block. Check the compression. If water/antifreeze shoots out of the spark plug holes (take all the spark plugs out for the compression test) during the compression test, it has a blown head gasket &/or a cracked head/block. Check the ignition w/a spark plug tester that you can buy at parts stores for $10 or less. Some of them you just hold the tip close to the plug wire or touch the rubber boot on the spark plug so the tester can pick up the pulse from the wire/plug via induction. Others are put in line between the plug wire & plug. Unplug the computer connectors & check for corrosion. You can clean them by plugging/unplugging the connectors multiple times or maybe you can use a small piece of emery cloth or an emery board. Make sure to blow any dust out of the connector. Check the vacuum hoses. All hoses on a vehicle get brittle & crack w/age, then they leak. Use a vacuum gage to check vacuum. I hope that you find the solution & get your Ford running again.
Are the spark plugs and wires original ?
if so replace them, or test spark plugs and wires and clean and set spark plugs.
Try using a fuel cleaner as well .
Check air filter change if dirty.
Changing oil will help as well including a better brand of oil such as Castrol GTX high mileage
Did you change the spark plugs one wire at a time or did you pull all the wires off an then changed the plugs? If you put the spark plug wires back on wrong this will cause some of the problems you are facing. Get a $20 manual from you parts store and it will give you the diagram and steps to put the wires on correctly. good luck and get some help from a neighbor who understands car repair.
Sounds like your valve cover gasket is leaking oil into your spark plugs and is causing both of your problems. if you have oil on one of your plugs then that plug can't fire correctly causing the car not to start. I would suggest that you change the plug that has been fouled by the oil and check the wire if it got a lot of oil on it as well as the oil can degrade their ability to insulate, and the plugs will start arcing up the sides and engine will start misfiring. You should be able to change the valve cover gasket relatively easy with a couple of tools. Hope this helps. Thanks for ranking my response and for using FixYa!
It is a good idea (recommended) to disconnect the battery when working on electrical components. If you disconnected the batter, make sure the battery cables are secure on the terminals (clean terminals if necessary) - apply a terminal grease to prevent corrosion and acid build up. Also, check the connection on the alternator - it's very possible this may have been disturbed or disconnected by accident during the installation of wires. Part of your message says "my car won't start, I changed my water..." did you change your water pump? There may be a crankshaft and/or camshaft sensor near the water pump. Make sure that these are plugged in and secure. Check your ignition fuse in the fuse box, the starter relay(under the hood) and the fusable link,next to or near the battery, or starter. Check all electrical connection that may prevent the vehicle from starting.
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