Daughter's trouble w/2006 Lincoln Zephyr.

[John Schmidt]

It's driving her nuts. About every couple weeks when she goes to start it, it will just sit and crank all day long but won't fire. She's had it towed 2-3 times after AAA came out and tried jumping it to no avail. Then, a local dealer comes out with a wrecker but tries it first...no start. Tows it to the shop, hits the starter and voila....it starts. Yesterday he tried it a dozen times during the day, letting it sit for a couple hours then give it a shot. Starts every time. Said they have tested everything in the fuel and ignition areas and found nothing. I have no idea what to tell her to have them try next, I do know my wife's Lincoln from the early 90's gave her trouble, as I recall the filter on the fuel pump would clog and collapse and the dealer never did figure it out. It quit on her in the middle of a large intersection of 6 lane x 6 lane highways. She called a local Oldsmobile dealer to come and get it. They towed it in, she told them she wanted a new car and didn't care what they offered for the Lincoln. She drove out with a new 98 Olds with all the bells and whistles, then stopped by to chat with the Lincoln dealer shop manager. I'm told he asked her to leave after a short time.   

I suggested to my daughter either something similar might be happening to her re. the fuel pump, or possibly the MAP isn't working right. The car has about 160k on it, the engine about 60k but I assume everything that bolts onto the engine still has 160k on it. The car is in great shape, she's the only driver, that's why a couple years ago when the original engine went south she decided to find a good one from a wreck. I helped her find one with ~27k on it and has worked perfect since. Any thoughts?

[longrider]

For the small amount of cost I'd put in a crankshaft position sensor and at that time make sure the pins in that connector are clean and water proofed with dielectric grease   To me it sounds like ignition

[RainMaker]

Did a quick search on the 'net and the crankshaft position sensor seems to be the common issue with intermittent starting.  I think longrider got this right.

[Robert]

Could be a crank position sensor but also check to see if the key or security system is allowing authorization to start. Crank position sensor may eventually throw a code. Which brings it to the question has anyone scanned the car and don't assume the dealer did either. I have seen some computers go bad.

[oldsmokey]

I have had an intermittent no start issue with a GM product in the past that was a fuel pump. Can only guess that a quick prime through intake next time it fails would be a easy check. (if not already performed) As stated cam sensor should set a code.

[Skinhead]

I also would star with the Crankshaft Position Sensor.  If you can get to it, check the connector, terminals, and wiring.  Look for signs of corrosion, or water intrusion.  I assume the dealer checked for DTCs (codes).  Loose terminals in the connector can be checked for retention if you have access to the gorrect terminals. 

Next time it cranks and won't starthave her spray some starting fluid in the air cleaner, if it fires, then I would look at the fuel pump/filter.  Was it unusually cold when this happened?

[cookiedough]

short some where in wiring maybe?  Just a thought.

My dads old 1986 caprice classic had a complete tuneup at an authorized GM chevy dealership.  It happened 2x's in the week after the car was supposedly tuned up would die on him for NO reason ro would not start.  First time had it towed to same dealership who tuned it up, could not find anything sent dad on his way home.  Next few days died on him again and was closer to another GM chevy dealership.  They found a grounding wire was NOT hooked back up after the tuneup causing intermittent contact.  Dad being dad was pissed drove it back with the bill from other dealership to the other tune up dealership demanding an apology and reimbursement as well also telling them will never be back again.

goes to show you sometimes going in for a tuneup makes it worse even at an authorized GM dealership.  Best to try figuring it out yourself for now.

[3W-lonerider]

I had a Lincoln town car that would do the same thing. replace the crank position sensor..that is the culpret.
but a word of advise. DO NOT go to napa or autozone or any of the others and get one. they are Chinese junk. I installed 5 crank sensors that would last a week and do the same thing again. go to the Lincoln dealer and get a good one if you want it to be reliable and work.
 also. crank sensor will only throw a code if it quits while being ran. will not throw a code if the car won't start because of the sensor.

[John Schmidt]

Thanks for all the insight, I've passed them on to my daughter. She lives in Central Illinois so I can't check it out personally.

[Jess Tolbirt]

my new ford truck did that to me,,,turned out to be the key...it had a security circuit in it that went south..

[Big Rig]

Sounds like the fuel atomizer...I had a similar problem, but it would stall my car out at times.

The atomizer is on the top of the motor just before the fuel injector rails...$85 bucks installed...frustrated me for 6 months.

[gordonv]

The internet is a wonderful thing. I had the same problem with my BMW. Search said it was the cam sensor, tested bad. Buy a new one, and it tested to the same ohms. Turned out the info in the Service Manual was wrong, it gave the crank shaft sensor as the cam.

After more research, turned out to be the fuel pump fuse. I checked that first. In the end, took the meter too it, and it was blown.

To test your fuel pump, there should be a way to jump the relay.

My work 05' Chevy Astro van had the same problem, no start. Also the fuel pump. It also behaved as you described, intermittent.