2002 mustang v6 wont turn over need help !

theblackhokage97 · Aug 23, 2018

for some strange reason my mustang refuses to turn over while i have an aftermarket radio connected. i disconnect aftermarket radio and it turns over just fine but while it is connected it refuses to turn over. the only way the radio works is if i turn on the car and then connect the radio. I don't know what to do any ideas what the problem may be ??

wmburns · Aug 23, 2018

I going to assume that your problem is "crank with no start".

Note, there is a ground behind the center console. This ground is shared by many devices including the radio and console. This ground is frequently messed up during a radio install. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you have altered the ground to the cluster. This has hurt the ability of the cluster to "prove out" PATS.

Here's some more information. Note the part about how to "prove out" the PATS system.

1996+ Crank with no start check list
https://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/4-6l-tech/336452-1997-mustang-wont-ignite.html

theblackhokage97 · Aug 23, 2018

wmburns said:
I going to assume that your problem is "crank with no start".

Note, there is a ground behind the center console. This ground is shared by many devices including the radio and console. This ground is frequently messed up during a radio install. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you have altered the ground to the cluster. This has hurt the ability of the cluster to "prove out" PATS.

Here's some more information. Note the part about how to "prove out" the PATS system.

1996+ Crank with no start check list
https://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/4-6l-tech/336452-1997-mustang-wont-ignite.html

The mustang will crank whenever the radio isn’t connected . With the radio in the car , it won’t turn over as if the battery can’t handle the radio. Could that be a problem ? I have a Mach 1000 sound system . It’ll start perfectly normal without my radio connected , that’s what I don’t understand . Whenever my amps turn on is when my car refuses to turn back on

wmburns · Aug 23, 2018

theblackhokage97 said:
With the radio in the car , it won’t turn over as if the battery can’t handle the radio. Could that be a problem ? I have a Mach 1000 sound system .

It seems to me that IF the battery couldn't handle the radio THEN this would cause the system voltage to drop. After all there are TONS of cars with a Mach 1000 sound system using stock alternator and battery. This would imply that there's some problem with your car's charging system.

Regardless why guess? Test! Here's some information on how to test the car's charging system.

Howto perform charging system voltage drop test
https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-fo...perform-charging-system-voltage-drop-test.56/

Feel good saying for the day. "There is no elevator to success. You have to take the steps". That includes reading the information and performing tests needed to rule in or out possible causes. Those of us out here in Internet land can't help you unless you are prepared to perform some trouble shooting. Otherwise the only way for you to get a solution is by pure chance to happen to run across someone with the EXACT same problem.

If this is the case, I can't help so will need to drop off this thread.

theblackhokage97 · Aug 23, 2018

wmburns said:
It seems to me that IF the battery couldn't handle the radio THEN this would cause the system voltage to drop. After all there are TONS of cars with a Mach 1000 sound system using stock alternator and battery. This would imply that there's some problem with your car's charging system.

Regardless why guess? Test! Here's some information on how to test the car's charging system.

Howto perform charging system voltage drop test
https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-fo...perform-charging-system-voltage-drop-test.56/

Feel good saying for the day. "There is no elevator to success. You have to take the steps". That includes reading the information and performing tests needed to rule in or out possible causes. Those of us out here in Internet land can't help you unless you are prepared to perform some trouble shooting. Otherwise the only way for you to get a solution is by pure chance to happen to run across someone with the EXACT same problem.

If this is the case, I can't help so will need to drop off this thread.

UPDATE , the car turns on with the radio BUT when i slide radio into place car wont start . i cant figure out what's being grounded.

wmburns · Aug 23, 2018

It would help if you added some details. Turn the key on but do NOT crank. What does the theft light do when it doesn't work? Does the theft light go out after a 3 second "prove out"? This information is needed to determine IF the reason for the crank with no start is PATS related.

Again. There is a common GROUND point behind the center console. The center console ground is a series of black wires coming together under the same screw. This is where several devices are grounded including the radio and the cluster, GEM, and other devices. It would be expected that a bad cluster ground would "cause" PATS to fail. If this is true it would show up in exactly how the theft light behaved.

If this were my car I would preform a through visual inspection of the black wires behind the dash. Look for any loose, damaged, over heated wires. Repair as necessary.

If not able to find the bad ground wire with a visual inspection it will be necessary to test to CONFIRM if there really is a ground problem. The cluster ground wires are black and black with a white stripe. Best to test all the way back to battery negative or test using a test light.

To test a ground with a test light, put the test light clip on battery positive. With the tip, probe the ground to be tested. IF the ground is good, the test light should light brightly. ALWAYS test the test light using a known good ground.

Here's some information on how to make your own test lights should you be the DIY'er kind of person.

How To Make Your Own Test Lights

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L_fw7xn19k

2002 mustang v6 wont turn over need help !

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