I hit a bump last night, and then my car stalled out. It would not restart and it still won’t start this morning. What in the world could be wrong with it? What can I do to make it start? It cranks fine, but will not start. I checked all the fuses (I think) and none of them are blown or loose. The spark plug cables seem to be tight and ok. What else could it be?
well, you shook loose the… oh maybe not.
I’m a bad bad girl
This is a long shot, but if you hit one helluva bump, you may have upset the fuel pump impact sensor. With some fuel injected cars, a sensor reacts to impact by cutting power to the fuel pump-often located in the tank. This is to prevent a broken fuel line from spewing gasoline around the accident scene. Look in your owners manual for such a feature, and how to reset it.
If your vehicle is carbureted, then color me stumped.
Holy crap, dude, I think that’s it.
The Make/Model/Year - would really help us out a lot. It could many, many different things. No solution can be made with the info given.
2002 V6 Mustang.
I was thinking I might have shaken loose a fuel line or something, that’s why DWC’s explanation sounded so plausible. Plus it was a pretty big bump (the curb at 45mph).
So that’s really something I can reset on my own?
Look in the trunk. If you have a reset switch, that’s where it should be. At least, that’s where it is on my '94 Escort.
Ok, now it does sound plausible. Got a check engine light?
Should be. I remember having to do that on a Taurus wagon that a girlfriend drove after a minor accident. Inside the hatch lid, there was a small (3 x 5) door opposite the spare tire well, IIRC.
The Check Engine light is always on before the car starts, though.
That is part of the ECM self-test.
That’s normal. As long as it goes off after a few seconds of the car running. The reason it’s on when you start the car is to let you know that the lamp is functioning correctly.
Try the suggestions above about resetting.
That too. 
You guys rock. I called and cancelled the tow-truck. I was going to have a garage look at it, but now I’m going to try to do it myself. I have to go to work now though, so I’ll have to wait until after midnight to go screw with it.
I’m not sure that I still have my owner’s manual though. Does anyone know a good website that explains how to reset an impact sensor in a Mustang?
Suggestion from ‘forums.stangnet.com’ about a '99 GT that wouldn’t start after an accident:
Your 02’ is likely to be similar. I also found that it may be called an ‘Inertia Switch’… You know, for correctness and all. Good luck!
If you’re unable to find it-email Frank #2-a very nice Doper, and bigtime Mustang fan. Good luck.
Your car hates you because you give it a stupid nickname – such as “The Beast”.
I suspect it is the fuel injector, although the battery, starter motor and altenator are other possibilities.
I have an a injected '91 Ford Ranger and my “Button” for the fule pump reset is under (behind) the glove box inside the truck. Good Luck!
You guys Rock!
I had to have it towed anyway, because my rims are totally destroyed on that side. I didn’t realize the damage was so bad. But as far as it not starting, it was indeed the Fule Impact Sensor. I mentioned that to the mechanic, and he was nice enough to go outside and hit the button for free, Sweet. I’m still looking at a couple hundred bucks worth of new rims though. Not sweet.
Thanks for the help guys.
… Maybe my car hates me because I do stupid things like hit random curbs at 45mph.
If you hit a curb at 45 mph, expect to replace all tires involved. Better now than after they blow out.