Speratic no start situation

[Fordbullittboy]

93 Manual Sho. My problem is about once a week when i go to start, it will not start and it will turn over and will backfire. The first time it would not start i was at the top of a hill and put it into 4th gear it gave a slight spuddering pop and then stopped. It would not start. I left it at a shop and when they went to look at it, it started right up. he ran the car with a fuel pressure gauge on it and could see that it did not loose pressure. He said that he pulled some old history codes that where a lean code possibly a 051? and another that i'm unsure of. I just bought this car about a 6 months ago. It needs a tune up. Any help or even comments are much appreciated.

 

[St Louis SHO]

Cam sensor took a crap, happened to my dads 95 not long after the 60k which the only thing I didnt change was the cam sensor.

 

[Fordbullittboy]

More questions

That's what i'm thinking or some kind of sensor. The money isn't there right now to change the timing and pump and pulleys. I know it all needs to be done at once so i'm hoping to get to it as soon as possible. I think it might even be the wiring down there or the connections? The thing is since i posted this it hasn't happend again?? Could it possibly be a dirty connection or a wire going bad?? I don't know, i'm gonna ride it until it goes. Do you think it is a good idea to change the sensor at the 60k? Thanks for everyones help.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

He mentioned the CAM sensor and I would agree. The next time it does that (if you have changed the sensor yet) watch the tach to see if it moves. To change it, you really dont need to remove much and only 2 bolts hold it in.

Basically, when this sensor goes out, the car has a 1 in 3 guess of where the cam is...if the computer guesses right, the car starts and runs. If it guesses wrong, it doesnt start.

 

[Fordbullittboy]

OK

Thanks for the help guys, I did notice the tack would move and it would sputter/ backfire. Thanks again guys. Keep input coming still no problems too date.

 

[93rev2sev]

While the cam sensor can cause poor starting charictaristics, you will not see any movement from the tach if the cam sensor is the problem.

Your problem is MOST LIKELY the crank sensor. The symptoms you mention are perfectly in-line with bad CRANK POSITION SENSORS.

 

[ohfosho]

pull your codes before you dig deeper... it's very easy to pull your codes.

but from experience (i have had both sensors go out), everyone is pointing you in the right direction... the crank and cam sensors can have much of the same disappointing characteristics when they are going bad.