Car wouldn't start this morning

The Shape

Founding Member

Jan 11, 2002

2,224

8

49

East ARKANSAS Delta

Sep 14, 2005

#1

• Sep 14, 2005

• #1

I haven't driven my 2.3 coupe since saturday , but it was running fine then. I went out this morning and got in it to drive to work and got nothing. I do get the door chime when I put the key in the ignition and my headlights will still come on. But when I turn the key forward the door ding slows a bit the tach jumps to 1500 RPM's for some reason and nothing else. I don't hear the solenoid click or anything at all. First though was a completely dead battery , but since my headlights are still working and I can hear the fuel pump prime I am not sure

 

4bangstangvert

Member

Jun 8, 2003

81

0

7

Pittsburgh

Sep 14, 2005

#2

• Sep 14, 2005

• #2

I just recently had a similar problem only my died going down the road and then did what you're describing. First thing I would do if you know you're getting fuel is check for spark at the plugs. If there's no spark there, check at the coil packs. Your situation may be diffferent from mine because mine is an 89 with a distributor in comparison to your distributorless. Mine ended up not having any spark at the coil pack. Ended up being the ignition module, so that would be my guess.

 

F

fastmonkeywheel

Member

Jun 16, 2004

201

0

16

Spokane, WA

Sep 14, 2005

#3

• Sep 14, 2005

• #3

Kinda hard to test the spark if you can't crank the engine .

I had this issue before too, turns out I left the car in D for some reason. It really pissed me off when I got a screw driver and biased the starter relay myself and the car starts driving away with me under the hood .

Also double check that the wire for the starter solinoid isn't broken or damaged. You could try biasing the starter solinoid with a screw driver with the ignition in run, but make sure the tranny is in P or N and put the e-brake on just for safe measures.

If the engine starts this way, then something between the ignition switch and the starter solinoid's start wire is broken, neutral saftey switch would be my first guess if you're at this point.

Good luck.

 

The Shape

Founding Member

Jan 11, 2002

2,224

8

49

East ARKANSAS Delta

Sep 14, 2005

#4

• Sep 14, 2005

• #4

Will check that for sure. It is completely dead just as it would do if trying to start it in gear so that is a posibility I hadn't thought of thanks.

 

4bangstangvert

Member

Jun 8, 2003

81

0

7

Pittsburgh

Sep 14, 2005

#5

• Sep 14, 2005

• #5

sorry, my mind is fried from too many classes today, i completely missed that it wasn't turning over at all

 

Bearded Forever

Type O Danzigative the Dark

Founding Member

Sep 4, 2000

4,927

3

98

Vinland

Sep 14, 2005

#6

• Sep 14, 2005

• #6

If you're tach is jumping to 1500rpm when you turn the key then maybe yout TFI is dead?

 

Stinger

Founding Member

Jul 7, 2001

7,754

24

118

Basehor (Kansas City), KS

Sep 14, 2005

#7

• Sep 14, 2005

• #7

Bad connection at the battery...

 

The Shape

Founding Member

Jan 11, 2002

2,224

8

49

East ARKANSAS Delta

Sep 14, 2005

#8

• Sep 14, 2005

• #8

Here is where i am so far. I boosted it off with no problem using my GT as soon as I hooked up the cables and hit the key it fired right up. I let it idle for a few minutes and took it for a drive. I noticed the voltage gauge was really low (stock gauge not sure exact reading it was low but not in the red), but the battery light wasn't on. I drove around about 30 minutes came home and parked it waited about 5 minutes and it started right back up. I went in and washed my hands came back out and it fired up. I then took my GT to the gas station and to get some food after I got home and ate dinner I went outside to try it again. It had then been about an hour since I drove it. My interior lights were again very dim and it wouldn't even try to crank. I am thinking maybe my battery has bit the dust?? I will pull it off and take it to be checked out tommorow.
__________________

 

F

fastmonkeywheel

Member

Jun 16, 2004

201

0

16

Spokane, WA

Sep 14, 2005

#9

• Sep 14, 2005

• #9

Take both the ALT and battery in to an autoparts store. Most can perform a full charge on the battery for free, during that process the charger can tell if the battery is good or not. While you're there have them test the alternator, which they should do for free.

This way you're sure if it's the alt or the battery.

 

The Shape

Founding Member

Jan 11, 2002

2,224

8

49

East ARKANSAS Delta

Sep 16, 2005

#10

• Sep 16, 2005

• #10

Just a bad cell in the battery all is well. Got it fixed yesterday afternoon. Thanks for all of the replies.

 

F

fastmonkeywheel

Member

Jun 16, 2004

201

0

16

Spokane, WA

Sep 16, 2005

#11

• Sep 16, 2005

• #11

Glad to hear you're back up and running.