[Roadsters] Slightly OT--car won't start

[Tom Prather]

First thing I would do is check for spark. Insert head of screwdriver into one
of the plug wires as though you are extending the cable and get screwdriver as
close to ground without touching and see if you get a spark when cranking. If
you do it's probably just a matter of priming the fuel.

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On Dec 21, 2011, at 5:48 AM, Tim <tputland at charter.net> wrote:

> Sorry for the OT here but I cannot afford to have this car towed to the
> mechanic for diagnosis. I hope to deal with this one myself.....
>
> 92 Ford Tempo, less than 65K miles--legitimate miles as it only had 51K
> on it when we got it and had the original plug wires dated 1992 when we
> got the car. It was a true little old lady car. It has run decent since
> being given to us by my wife's dad for my daughters's use several years
> ago. Car has not really been driven much since my youngest went to
> college this past fall.
>
> Battery is fully charged right now with battery tender use and fuel
> stable put in tank a couple months ago. I tried to start the car
> yesterday (approx 35 degrees at the time) and it was acting like the
> battery was down on charge: barely turning over. I hooked up my battery
> charger, put it on the "start" setting and tried again. I basically got
> the same result with only slightly faster turn over speed. The starter
> has always sounded good and the car has always started since we got it.
>
> We have had very little cold weather so far this season with temp in the
> 30s and 40s during the day and only a couple nights below 20 degrees.
>
> I am going to get some starting fluid in hopes it might be enough to
> kick it going with the slow starter speed but am not hopeful.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks all!!!
>
> tim
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