Clicking noise when trying to start car

xherdlr

New Member
May 19, 2003
159
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Hendersonville,Nc
I went to start my car and went throught the usual ritual of starting and dying 3 times until it stays running. This time after the second time the selinoid just clicked. I have full power from the battery. I have one of the button wires that connects to the selinoid and the battery. I tried this and still just a clicking noise...Is my starter bad or the selinoid? What other test can I do? I

Kelly
 
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No Crank checklist for 5.0 Mustangs

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. The clamp on with 2 bolts battery terminal ends are a know problem causer. Corrosion gets in the clamped joint and works its way up the wire under the insulation. Avoid them like the plague...

A voltmeter is handy if you are familiar with how to use it to find bad connections. Measure the voltage drop across a connection while trying to start the car: more than .5 volts across a connection indicates a problem.

See Automotive Test Tools for help for help troubleshooting voltage drops across connections and components. .

fig-7.gif


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.) 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.

4.) Then pull the small push on connector (small red/blue wire) off the starter solenoid (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.

5.) 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 you have wiring problems.

Typical start circuit...
Diagram courtesy of Tmoss &Stang&2birds
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See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195963.gif for 88-90 year cars
See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195964.gif for 91-93 year cars.
See AutoZone.com | Vehicle Selection - Year for 94-98 model Mustangs

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.) 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.

Starter solenoid wiring for 86-91 Mustang
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Starter solenoid wiring 92-93 Mustang or upgraded high torque mini starter.
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I recently purchased an 06 4.0 convertible. It started perfect for bit. Then all the sudden after a short run it would make a click sound and nothing. Then after sitting a while it would crank over. Well this morning I stared it to warm up realized i left my wallet. Shut it off ran in got my wallet came out and tried to start and click. I tracked the source of the clicking to under the glove box in a panel . turns out it was the ecm i puled it put it checked connections and put it back . it cranked right up. Next day same thing except this time i just wiggled the ecm and it turned over. Replacing the ecm tomorrow. I am sure this is not an isolated case judging by this thread.
 
This is a 5.0 tech thread from 2009.
There is a date stamp in the left top corner of the posts.
Besides that the electronics on a 06 4.0 will be totally different, I will tell ya to check all the cable connections at the battery too.
 
This is a 5.0 tech thread from 2009.
There is a date stamp in the left top corner of the posts.
Besides that the electronics on a 06 4.0 will be totally different, I will tell ya to check all the cable connections at the battery too.
Sry. I got it figured out ! . Battery connections.. Ive owned over 14 mustangs in my life and own 4 still. . Just cause i asked in the wrong place dont mean you need to be retentive..
 
Sry. I got it figured out ! . Battery connections.. Ive owned over 14 mustangs in my life and own 4 still. . Just cause i asked in the wrong place dont mean you need to be retentive..
I'm not being 'retentive', it's my job.
And dirty/loose connections are a common problem with all vehicles.
Your welcome.