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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Electrical '93 5.0 won't turn over when cold.

  • Thread starter Thread starter evintho
  • Start date Start date Dec 5, 2024

evintho

20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 12, 2003
683
245
73
Santa Rosa, CA.
Dec 5, 2024
#1
  • Dec 5, 2024
  • #1
12.5v at the batt all the way to the fender solenoid. It had been running fine but suddenly, In the morning when I try to start it I get one click. I pop the hood and jump the fender solenoid from one terminal to the other, with the key on and it fires right up. Also, after I've driven it awhile and I shut it down, I try to restart it and it fires right up. I believe it's the original '93 solenoid. Does that sound like it's probably just a solenoid replacement, or could it be something else?
Everything, including the entire wiring harness is brand new or rebuilt.
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,835
3,966
183
Claremore, OK
Dec 5, 2024
#2
  • Dec 5, 2024
  • #2
Solenoid is where I would begin. A lot of the auto parts stores sell junk so be careful when buying one. This would be what I would buy:

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/blue-streak/alternators---starters/starter-solenoid/bdc3bda9b2c0/standard-ignition-blue-streak-300-amp-4-terminal-starter-solenoid/std2/ss598/v/a/5471/automotive-car-1993-ford-mustang?q=starter+solenoid&pos=3
 

LILCBRA

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air
Mod Dude
Dec 6, 2005
6,347
5,322
194
Corn County USA
Dec 5, 2024
#3
  • Dec 5, 2024
  • #3
I'd check your connections to be sure they're tight and be sure that the solenoid is well grounded to the fender well.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,230
17,912
224
Massachusetts
Dec 6, 2024
#4
  • Dec 6, 2024
  • #4
For 1993 there are two solenoids. It's essentially a double-relay.

Take a jumper wire and jump the small upper terminal to the post with the batter connections and see if the car will crank doing that, vs bridging the two main terminals.

What i mean by that is touch your screwdriver from here to here and see if it cranks healthily. If it does, this may be an ignition switch issue


Just for reference the wiring diagram. The above relay would be labeled "starter relay"

 

85GTStangGuy

5 Year Member
May 19, 2021
1,000
625
113
Jax, Florida
Dec 6, 2024
#5
  • Dec 6, 2024
  • #5
AeroCoupe said:
Solenoid is where I would begin. A lot of the auto parts stores sell junk so be careful when buying one. This would be what I would buy:

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/blue-streak/alternators---starters/starter-solenoid/bdc3bda9b2c0/standard-ignition-blue-streak-300-amp-4-terminal-starter-solenoid/std2/ss598/v/a/5471/automotive-car-1993-ford-mustang?q=starter+solenoid&pos=3
Click to expand...

That part has quite a few bad reviews. Multiple people had issues with the plastic cracking when they were tightening down the terminal nuts.

Here's a Motorcraft option (not saying it's better necessarily, but it does have fewer bad reviews, and more good reviews... for what that's worth!)....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C5FTKY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,835
3,966
183
Claremore, OK
Dec 7, 2024
#6
  • Dec 7, 2024
  • #6
I had a Motorcraft fail shortly after buying. The standard has been in the car for a few years now so that’s why I recommended it.

It’s a crap shoot anymore.
 

85GTStangGuy

5 Year Member
May 19, 2021
1,000
625
113
Jax, Florida
Dec 7, 2024
#7
  • Dec 7, 2024
  • #7
AeroCoupe said:
I had a Motorcraft fail shortly after buying. The standard has been in the car for a few years now so that’s why I recommended it.
Click to expand...
And post #5 goes down in flames. Touche!

AeroCoupe said:
It’s a crap shoot anymore.
Click to expand...
That's the truth. Unfortunately.
 

evintho

20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 12, 2003
683
245
73
Santa Rosa, CA.
Dec 7, 2024
#8
  • Dec 7, 2024
  • #8
Mustang5L5 said:
For 1993 there are two solenoids. It's essentially a double-relay.

Take a jumper wire and jump the small upper terminal to the post with the batter connections and see if the car will crank doing that, vs bridging the two main terminals.

What i mean by that is touch your screwdriver from here to here and see if it cranks healthily. If it does, this may be an ignition switch issue


Just for reference the wiring diagram. The above relay would be labeled "starter relay"

Click to expand...
I did just that. Jumped from the small stud to batt stud, w/key on and it fired right up. Ignition switch is a new Standard Products unit and all wiring is new.
 
J

Jarhead67

5 Year Member
Nov 24, 2018
171
63
38
Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Dec 8, 2024
#9
  • Dec 8, 2024
  • #9
Replace the solenoid, they’re cheap
 
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