96 svt will not start anymore?

musclecarnut74 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-16-09, 07:04 PM

my 96 cobra was running fine. changed my rear brakes and removed old battery. the engine was nasty so i lightly rinsed the dust off! and let it set. the battery was not in the car during the rinse. changed the stock air filter to a K&N and removed part of the air box so it would breathe better. took my air hose and lightly went over damp areas on the engine around the heads. then i hooked up the new battery. cranked the car it started right away! for 1or 2 seconds shut off. now it cranks slow like its struggling to crank. it dont sound right. like its under pressure! can anyone tell me where to start first! thanks don

Kilgore Trout · #2 (**permalink**) 10-16-09, 07:34 PM

Make sure the battery terminals are still tight. Sometimes they let go, especially right after installing a new battery. Clean them and apply dielectric grease.

jeremy canter · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 05:03 AM

you can try using baking soda and water on the battery top and cable's > this will clean the green/white crap off

**COBRA90GT** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 10:45 AM

If your battery cables and ground check out, keep moving along - check for fuel and spark.

If you used a pressure washer on the engine, take a few moments to pull your plugs - it's very possible that you may have had some water get down into one (or more) of the spark plugs. Did you cover up your coil packs as well (where your spark plug wires plug into opposite of the plugs)?

Many modular cobra owners who use a high pressure washer (or garden hose on full blast) to clean their engines learn that using a high blast of water can create problems with the spark plugs and/or electrical connections under the hood...

musclecarnut74 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 01:06 PM

Went to the owners manual after checking fuses. did find one blown fuse 30 amp. replaced same result no start. read along further and went to troubleshoot and followed the directions under wont start, and it said to hold accelerator to the floor and cranked engine and veroom she cranked up. had to do it 2 times because it cut off again !because i tried to let it idle soon after. but on the second attempt victory! kept it running with a little extra pedel this time. took it for a drive after i warmed it up well. she is throwin a emmissions code p1443 low/no flow. now i have to figure out this! will call ford to see what this code is. thanks to all who replied to this thread!