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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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car will not start?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mustangfiveo198
  • Start date Start date Dec 23, 2004

mustangfiveo198

Founding Member
May 20, 2002
145
3
19
Driving my STANG
Dec 23, 2004
#1
  • Dec 23, 2004
  • #1
OK,
I have been away from my car for about a month. It has not been started in that time.
Well I tried to start it today and the battery was dead, I put the battery charger on it. I got enough juice and tried to start the engine and all I got was this clicking noise coming from the engine. I lifted the hood and tried to start it and the clicking noise came from the starter solenoid. Is my solenoid shot or my starter?
Any ideas would be great?
 
G

gearhead81a

New Member
Dec 18, 2004
5
0
0
chicago il
Dec 23, 2004
#2
  • Dec 23, 2004
  • #2
even though you put a charger on it, you may not have charged it enough. try trickle charging it overnight on a low amp setting. post another message if that doesnt work.
 
M

Matts89LX5.0

Founding Member
Nov 1, 2002
1,314
0
36
Long Island, NY
Dec 23, 2004
#3
  • Dec 23, 2004
  • #3
try a jump pak, or jump another battery to it....also check to see if your ground is loose for the battery.
 
C

crunchie12268

New Member
Aug 4, 2004
599
0
0
Manhattan, KS
Dec 23, 2004
#4
  • Dec 23, 2004
  • #4
yeah that clicking is probably because you have a low battery
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Dec 23, 2004
#5
  • Dec 23, 2004
  • #5
Here's a checklist:

Since some of the tests will bypass the safety interlocks, make sure that the car is in neutral and the parking brake is set. Becoming a pancake isn’t part of the repair process…

Check battery, terminal connections, ground, starter relay switch (also known as solenoid) and starter in that order.

A voltmeter is handy if you are familiar with how to use it to find bad connections. Measure the voltage drop across a connection: more than .5 volts across a connection indicates a problem.
See http://www.fluke.com/application_notes/automotive/circuit.asp?AGID=1&SID=103 for help

1.) Will the car start if it is jumped? Then clean battery terminals and check battery.

2.) Check the battery to engine block ground, and the ground behind the engine to the firewall.

3.) Then pull the small push on connector (red wire) off the starter relay (Looks like it is stuck on a screw)> Then jump between the screw and the terminal that is connected to the battery. If it starts, the relay is good and your problem is in the rest of the circuit.

4.) Remember to check the ignition switch, neutral safety switch on auto trans and the clutch safety switch on manual trans cars. If they are good, then the relay is bad. See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195963.gif for 88-90 year cars .OR see http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195964.gif for 91-93 year cars.

5.) Jump the big terminals on the starter relay next to the battery with a screwdriver - watch out for the sparks! If the engine cranks, the starter and power wiring is good. The starter relay is also known as a starter solenoid.

6.) The starter may be hung, loosen up the bolts that hold it on, and give it a good whack with a big hammer. Tighten up the bolts and try again.

7.) If that doesn't work, use a jumper cable from the positive lead on the battery direct to the starter post where the big wire from the relay connects. If it cranks then, it is the power wire from the relay gone bad. This will be hard to do, since there isn't much room to do it.

8.) Pull the starter and take it to Autozone or Pep Boys and have them test it. Starter fails test, then replace it. If you got this far, the starter is probably bad.
 

mustangfiveo198

Founding Member
May 20, 2002
145
3
19
Driving my STANG
Dec 23, 2004
#6
  • Dec 23, 2004
  • #6
Thanks for all the quick replies. I will be outside first thing in the morning tomm to try to see what's up with my stang.
Thanks again.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Dec 23, 2004
#7
  • Dec 23, 2004
  • #7
to be completely redundant (and tick JR off. ), the first things i would hit in JR's nice list are: be sure the battery is fully charged. then check connections (a reactor hooked to a bad cable will not start the car).

BTW, the symptoms you say are normal for a discharged battery and/or poor battery cable connectivity.

good luck.
 

mustangfiveo198

Founding Member
May 20, 2002
145
3
19
Driving my STANG
Dec 25, 2004
#8
  • Dec 25, 2004
  • #8
Got IT!!!!!!!!!!!

I did what you guys said..................cleaned battery terminals and cables real good. Put charger on the battery all damn day and first time I turned the key, she started right up!
Thanksw alot for all of your help.
Merry Christmas.....................I am off for a ride in the stang!!!!!!!!!!!1
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Dec 25, 2004
#9
  • Dec 25, 2004
  • #9
congrats - enjoy the drive. it is often the small things that get ya. good thing for us we have Jrichker around to help out

Happy Holidays!
 
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