2 glaring clues on a my 93 gt starter issues

Ive searched the forums and have seen the checklist on how to approach a non start and one where it cranks but wont turn over. Before anyone scoffs and throws the list at me, i think the 2 symptoms will point to something obvious to everyone else but me and will allow me to fix the issue much quicker.

1st Symptom cold temperature - has a healthy crank but wont turn over. Early on i would prime it by turning the ignition and getting the fuel to prime and it worked a handful of times, now it does not seem to any longer. BUT will start instantly when its warmer out once early afternoon hits.

2nd Symptom turn the key and nothing happens - It just started this a few days ago. It gets ACC power and i can hear the fuel go but the starter does not engage. HOWEVER if i sit a few minutes and turn the key, it will fire up like there's no issue whatsoever. Temperature does not seem to cause this issue.

The battery is new. I purchased a new starter thats currently sitting in a box and im about to order a new cap and rotor, but i figured id check in here first before doing anything.

Thanks for the reply. It is a standard, and i have played around with the clutch while turning the key and i get cues of it cutting in and out so it seems that is OK in terms of the signal being clutch pressed vs not.

Mustang5L5 said:

On the top of the starter relay is a small post with a single wire. Red with blue strip. This is the signal post to activate the relay.

The next time you can’t start with the key, apply 12v here and see if it cranks. This will bypass the ignition and clutch safety, so make sure the car is in nuetral. If it does crank, then that points to the issue being ignition switch related or bad wiring from the ignition to the starter relay to close the relay.

As for not starting when cold, try to depress the gas pedal to the floor and see if that makes a differrnce.

Have you dumped codes? Not starting when cold could be sensor related and pulling codes may help troubleshoot that

Click to expand...

Ill have to wait until either thing happens again, but i did start it jumping it from the battery to the post which is good to know. For s and giggles i did it with the key not turned and it sounded just like it did on cold starts- so next time ill try putting the pedal to the floor as you suggested as it may be a fuel issue. I dont have much of a background mechanically but i do troubleshoot quite a bit in my line of work

Mustang5L5 said:

On the top of the starter relay is a small post with a single wire. Red with blue strip. This is the signal post to activate the relay.

The next time you can’t start with the key, apply 12v here and see if it cranks. This will bypass the ignition and clutch safety, so make sure the car is in nuetral. If it does crank, then that points to the issue being ignition switch related or bad wiring from the ignition to the starter relay to close the relay.

As for not starting when cold, try to depress the gas pedal to the floor and see if that makes a differrnce.

Have you dumped codes? Not starting when cold could be sensor related and pulling codes may help troubleshoot that

Click to expand...

Alright, this morning it was ~35-40F and I proceeded to turn the ignition 10 times to get everything primed and heard it. I then attempted to start it with the pedal depressed 2 times and nothing. I then pumped the gas while it was cranking and still nothing. I drove it all day yesterday with zero issues and it fired right up every time, it was around 70, and haven't had the no-crank issue since playing around with that post and cleaning it.