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Could i have blown a fuse?

  • Thread starter Thread starter uneverkno
  • Start date Start date Oct 25, 2006
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uneverkno

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Aug 18, 2005
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Oct 25, 2006
#1
  • Oct 25, 2006
  • #1
So i was pulling codes earlier, and when i was finished, i hopped out of the car to disconnect the wire i used to ground for the self test. I grounded it to the battery, and when i went to pull it off the groud cable came off with it. When i went to put it on as soon as the ground cable touched the ground terminal on the battery, the relays( on the fender beside the stock air box) clicked twice. I went to try and start my car and now it wont start. Everything else works when you turn the key over( lights, warning lights ,etc...) but the starter wont engage. Doesnt make any noises or anything. Could i have blown a fuse or is it something worse? Thanks in advance.
 

HISSIN50

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Oct 26, 2006
#2
  • Oct 26, 2006
  • #2
I don't follow. In essense, did you disconnect the ground cable from the battery, then reconnect it and hear solenoids clicking?
Was the ignition key turned on while this occurred?

Good luck.
 
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uneverkno

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Oct 26, 2006
#3
  • Oct 26, 2006
  • #3
Yeah i forgot to turn the key off(in a hurry to go pick up my tie rods) I just went out to see it if would start. First time i turned the key over it did nothing, left the clutch in, and tried it again and it started right up. Think the ignition may have a short in it or something. Any suggestions?
 

jrichker

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Oct 26, 2006
#4
  • Oct 26, 2006
  • #4
There are no fuses in the starter circuit. If I read your post correctly, you have power to the ignition and accessories, but no crank. Turn the headlights on and try to crank the car. If the lights go out, you have a bad connection or bad battery. Then clean and check all the battery connections. In your case, I would pay close attention to the ground, since that was the last thing you touched.

The bolt on terminals used to repair battery cables are prime suspects, since they tend to corrode. Corroded connections cause high reistance and keep things from working the way they should.


If the lights stay on when you try to crank the engine, 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.) 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 (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.

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...



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. See http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1d/db/3c/0900823d801ddb3c.jsp for 94-95 model cars.

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.
 
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uneverkno

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Aug 18, 2005
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Oct 28, 2006
#5
  • Oct 28, 2006
  • #5
Thanks jrichker, it ended up being 7 on the list. When we put the new engine in, i guess we pulled the wire to tight and the balancer was rubbing against it and was almost split in two. Luckily i had one from the last mustang i had. Got it all back together and she starts fine. Thanks again.
 
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