My '96 Town Car cranks but won't turn over. So far I have:

1. Checked the trunk mounted fuel-cutoff inertia switch. The red button was down NOT popped out. Is that the correct position it should be in?

2. Turned the car to the RUN position and heard that electric whirring sound that I expect is the fuel pump?

3. Checked the Fuel pump relay / Ignition Relay box on the driver side under hood. It was wet underneath it and it seemed as though some water may have gotten inside. It rained all day yesterday.
I didn't know how to open this box and figured I'd come inside and ask you folks what to do and what it could be.

Does the whole relay box unplug and you just swap in a new one?

Any chance it is still the fuel pump?

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

When was the last time it ran?

You need air, fuel, compression and spark to get an engine running. Check fuel pressure at the rail.

Spark tester will go between the coil and the spark plug.

Try stepping on the throttle while you are cranking to determine if the IAC is plugged up.

Attach booster cables to see if the battery is dragging its ass.

It would be amazing if it turned out to be the battery. You know the other day when it was like 20 degrees here the car seemed like it was slow to start for the first time. Sort of like a weak battery would seem. But then it was fine after that. Including yesterday when I shut it off!

When you turn the key to on,the 'Check Engine' light should illuminate. When you turn it to start, the light should then go out. If it stays lit while cranking, then you have a bad crank sensor.

Thanks Colt,

I just double checked. The Check Engine light goes out when cranking. It doesn't stay lit.
Also to reconfirm the pump sounds like it runs indefinitely until the key is switched to OFF.

It shouldnt. If the key is turned on it should run abut 5 seconds then shut off.

Make sure you have power at at. When my 30amp brown powerline corroded through, I had a crank and no start condition with certain systems working like lights, but no power to the PCM.

I'm sorry but power at "at" ? I'm not sure what you meant?

Sorry, I meant "at all", was typing too quickly.

Thanks to all of you. I still don't know what it is and I had no choice but to tow it to the mechanic today. I was in the landlord's driveway and they were having their garage door repaired lol. Dear God I can't believe it myself!

I'm a little late, but I agree with Colt45. It's probably a bad crank sensor, cam sensor, or batt./cables.

I hope you are right. I'd hate to go for a fuel pump through mechanic.

Dude, buy a Holley fuel pump from Summit.com for a '96 Mustang. Syphon gas or drive until on "E". Unbolt round access cover on the fuel tank replace anemic stock pump, and 'bam' problem solved, if it actually is a faulty fuel pump. Also might want to replace fuel pressure regulator with one from Auto Zone. I did both and never had any more fuel probs. Good luck.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was searching the forum for information about my no start problem and this helped me tremendously. My engine light doesn't go off while starting either so I put a meter on it and bam! It was open. Scored another off of ebay for 12 bucks plus 5 bucks shipping.