advice needed...

[scot]

95 Continental 85,000 miles, V8 - No problems until recently. Started but ran poorly, as if it was missing, or a fuel problem. Shop diagnosed a fouled #3 plug. Charged $100.00.... Replaced plug - no improvement. Pulled wire and checked for spark with old plug. Seemed to spark ok. Engine still ran the same with this #3 wire disconnected. In fact, I pulled 3 or 4 other wires ( 1 each time ) started car and it still ran the same ( rough ) regardless of which wire I disconected from plug making the car run on 7 cylinders. A week later tried to start the car to no avail. Another week and tried again. It started but still ran the same. Tried several times since and all it does is turn over. Seems as if it is not firing at all....
Bought a cd manual online...... not much help without all the tools / devices it says I need to troubleshoot.....

[pro-five-oh]

You really need to run a code scanner on the computer. If a plug is misfiring, it will catch it. The scan is free at a parts store like Autozone.

These cars like the OEM Ford spark plug, if you put something else in they may not run smoothly.

[Steve Moran]

I'd say it is the plug wires, If you have an ohm meter check them.

Good plug wire info (http://www.inct.net/~autotips/plugwire.htm) < click here.
This is one of those sites I bookmark.

Click this too (http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/DavidKucharczyk/ignition.html) < click here
This one is more informative, (my opinion) it gets so technical that if you do not want to know more about plug wires then you do about yourself, look it over but you could get a headach from to much info.

[aristo1963]

actually id say the camshaft sensor was out of place just enough to run but with a poor signal run rough,and its now out far enough to not run seeing he says it will now not start.:)

[Slick_Black_Lincoln]

Also check the crank sensor, the plastic around the magnet can crack and oil will leak into the electrical connector. If the PCM doesn't get the crank signal, car won't start.