Car does not start ocassionally?? Starter?

Cobra1894

New Member

Oct 7, 2003

196

0

0

Broken Arrow, OK

Oct 19, 2005

#1

• Oct 19, 2005

• #1

Lately my car has not been starting. I have power but when I go to start it evrery other time I dont even get a click. If I keep at it it eventually starts. Sometimes it takes 2-5 times other times it takes 10-20 times. I believe its the starter. Your thoughts please.

 

MustangPunk302

Founding Member

Sep 11, 2002

1,051

0

36

West Michigan

Oct 19, 2005

#2

• Oct 19, 2005

• #2

Now when the starter does go, it turns the engine over no problem? I mean it doesn't sound like a starter problem, if it finally goes no problem. The problem sounds like the starter solenoid not getting enough power from the ignition switch. You checked you check for loose connection's at the battery, and realy?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Oct 20, 2005

#3

• Oct 20, 2005

• #3

yep, I like the bad power cable connection idea. Grounds are especially finicky. THey get a tiny film of crap between them and each time cranking breaks through the crap a little bit till it starts.

You could make sure the car is in neurtral, e-brake on, etc (safety precautions) and remove the slide-on terminal on the solenoid. Put this to the battery lug on the solenoid and see if it cranks. If so, it is a starter interlock circuit issue. If not, look further downstream (power connection or feed issue).

Good luck.

 

Cobra1894

New Member

Oct 7, 2003

196

0

0

Broken Arrow, OK

Oct 24, 2005

#4

• Oct 24, 2005

• #4

When the starter actually does crank over it does so fine. I just installed a crane Hi6 ing. Could this be the source of the problem? Personally I am leaning toward the relay switch and plan to start there. Could it be ther ing switch in the column? Thanks for the help.

 

M

mustang-a-holic

New Member

Jul 8, 2005

51

0

0

Oct 24, 2005

#5

• Oct 24, 2005

• #5

The symptoms you describe match exactly with a bad starter.

1. Verify your starter solenoid is receiving 12vdc from the key switch.
2. Verify you have 12 volts on the output of the starter solenoid.

if yes to 1 and 2 then it is most likely a bad starter. Opens and near opens do not heal themselves like you describe. They tend to degrade until they no longer work.

The brushes in the starter are probably near as short as they can go and are intermittently making contact. Jack the car up and bang on the starter with a dead blow hammer. I bet it starts up more frequently.

I have replaced two starters on my 93 in the last 4 years. Both had the same symptoms you describe. Both would work after a quick blow with a hammer.

Takes about 30 minutes to replace.

 

L

Low86GT

Active Member

Apr 9, 1999

1,724

0

36

San Jose, CA

Oct 25, 2005

#6

• Oct 25, 2005

• #6

my nephew recently went through a no start/grinding while cranking issue.
His actually turned out to be the start mounting bolts.
One of the bolts fell all the way out and the other was about 1/3 of the way out. the starter would hit just right and start the car maybe 1 in 5 times sometimes 1 in 10. it was random.
I don't think that is your issue but it is something to check.

Bill

 

Black1987Stang

Active Member

Aug 22, 2004

1,422

0

37

Jersey Shore

Oct 25, 2005

#7

• Oct 25, 2005

• #7

Mine had the same thing, except for it didnt start at all, problem was the starter solenoid, i cleaned the contacts and crossed the 2 studs with a screwdriver seems like it was sticking inside and when i jumped it it loosened up inside or something but now it works normal.

 

Cobra1894

New Member

Oct 7, 2003

196

0

0

Broken Arrow, OK

Oct 30, 2005

#8

• Oct 30, 2005

• #8

Well once I got the stripped top starter bolt out..THat sucked... I noticed that the Selenoid had came loose from the housing. I dont know how it continued to work for the couple weeks I drove it like this. Thanks for the help in the above post.

Note: The craftsman sockets for stripped nuts and bolts works great.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Oct 31, 2005

#9

• Oct 31, 2005

• #9

Cobra1894 said:

Note: The craftsman sockets for stripped nuts and bolts works great.

Click to expand...

Tell me about it! I have 3 sets for different uses.

 

J

jaackal

New Member

May 12, 2003

402

0

0

NJ

Oct 31, 2005

#10

• Oct 31, 2005

• #10

happened to my brothers and it was the neutral safety switch on an automatic i dunno if urs is a 5 spd or what

 

I

iwashmycar

20+ Year Stangneter

Apr 7, 2004

1,236

1

39

Columbus, Ohio

Oct 31, 2005

#11

• Oct 31, 2005

• #11

mine does that too...itll start right up usually, but every once in a while in a completely awkward moment it just clicks....i think it is that starter thing on the driver side fender (i know the name i just cant place it right now lol)
It has a crack in the plastic and it is as if it doesnt get a good power connection because if you jump the battery it fires right up almost with no "turning over" first.

 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter

Oct 28, 2004

3,356

208

114

Ohio

Nov 1, 2005

#12

• Nov 1, 2005

• #12

iwashmycar said:

mine does that too...itll start right up usually, but every once in a while in a completely awkward moment it just clicks....i think it is that starter thing on the driver side fender (i know the name i just cant place it right now lol)
It has a crack in the plastic and it is as if it doesnt get a good power connection because if you jump the battery it fires right up almost with no "turning over" first.

Click to expand...

That is your solenoid mounted on the d/s fender.

 

Cobra1894

New Member

Oct 7, 2003

196

0

0

Broken Arrow, OK

Jan 29, 2006

#13

• Jan 29, 2006

• #13

My selinoid was loose from the starter, So I replaced the starter. I come to find out later that the problem is the Clutch switch. Its still happens to me if I press the clutch in to hard before starting. I have to let off about 1/4" to get it to start.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Jan 29, 2006

#14

• Jan 29, 2006

• #14

Cobra1894 said:

My selinoid was loose from the starter, So I replaced the starter. I come to find out later that the problem is the Clutch switch. Its still happens to me if I press the clutch in to hard before starting. I have to let off about 1/4" to get it to start.

Click to expand...

Glad to hear you got it fixed (so you know the issue atleast). The info in posts 2 and 3 would have been leading in diagnosing it a little cleaner (the clutch switch is part of the starter interlock circuit).

Thanks for posting the fix - that will really help future searchers in your position!

 

Black1987Stang

Active Member

Aug 22, 2004

1,422

0

37

Jersey Shore

Jan 29, 2006

#15

• Jan 29, 2006

• #15

Yea good thing to know in the future