Starting problems with 1998 Ford Contour?

Question

The other day i bought a contour from a friend of mine and it wouldn't stay started. He told me it was the throttle positioning sensor, but then you know how you can hear the fuel pump come on when you turn the key on? well i stopped hearing it and the car wouldn't start. so i took the fuel pump out and tested it with a battery. It works, and sounds good too, so i put it back in and turned the key on and nothing, the fuel pump is under the back seat so i can put my hand on it while i turn on the key, i checked the fuses and the relays, they are good too, any thoughts would be great, and if you have something to say about me buying a car that didn't work it was 50.00 and don't trash talk FORD either please thanks very much!

Answer 1

Did you slam the door in frustration right before the fuel pump stopped working? I'm not kidding. The "Inertia Switch" aka Fuel Pump Shutoff Switch is that sensitive. My teacher used to like to play a practical joke on people by banging the fender on cars that have it mounted in the trunk, to make their cars not start. From page 110 of the 1998 Ford Contour Owners Manual;

FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH

If the engine cranks, but does not start or does not start after a collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been activated.  The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop the electric fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.

Once the shut-off switch is activated, you must reset the switch by hand before you can start your vehicle. The switch is located on the side (kick) panel in front of the driver’s side door.

Reset button is on the top.

As far as your initial problem keeping it running, there is no throttle positioning sensor. The part that your friend probably means is the Idle Air Control Valve. It is notorious for having trouble on many Fords. Hardly ever works to clean them, but the tests in this link can help you be sure if that's it, if you get it to start again.

http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/090...