• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Hit or miss starting, No Noise at all

  • Thread starter Thread starter No.11
  • Start date Start date Jan 5, 2010

No.11

10 Year Member
Oct 13, 2009
614
10
48
Los Angeles
Jan 5, 2010
#1
  • Jan 5, 2010
  • #1
It's a hit or miss thing. Sometimes, randomly it seems, my car just won't start. The fuel pump will prime, gauges will be lit and working, but when I turn the key the car just won't start. It makes no noise at all! No clicking, or turning over...nothing! I had the starter replaced but that did not do it. I also replaced the battery since the one I had before was too tall and was interfering with the hood. Could either the starter solenoid or the ignition switch be my problem here? Any help would be appreciated!
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Jan 5, 2010
#2
  • Jan 5, 2010
  • #2
Put a test light on the slide-on terminal on top of the solenoid. Keep trying to start the car. If you can get it to not crank but the test light illuminates, that suggests you're ok up to the soleneoid.

There's a decent chance the ignition switch (a known issue on these cars) is the problem, but long runs of S-circuit wiring (as done for kill switches in alarms) can also cause an issue. Battery cables, battery connections, motor grounding, etc etc can all be the cause.

Good luck.
 

No.11

10 Year Member
Oct 13, 2009
614
10
48
Los Angeles
Jan 5, 2010
#3
  • Jan 5, 2010
  • #3
HISSIN50 said:
Put a test light on the slide-on terminal on top of the solenoid. Keep trying to start the car. If you can get it to not crank but the test light illuminates, that suggests you're ok up to the solenoid.

There's a decent chance the ignition switch (a known issue on these cars) is the problem, but long runs of S-circuit wiring (as done for kill switches in alarms) can also cause an issue. Battery cables, battery connections, motor grounding, etc etc can all be the cause.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Can we rule any of those options out considering everything turns on including the headlights? Windows work as well even while the car won't start.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Jan 5, 2010
#4
  • Jan 5, 2010
  • #4
No.11 said:
Can we rule any of those options out considering everything turns on including the headlights? Windows work as well even while the car won't start.
Click to expand...

No you can't. I already omitted a lot of things based upon the assumption that your battery and starter function properly.

For purposes here, you can kind of think of the starter circuit as separate from the rest of the electrical system in the car. You have power everywhere but it doesn't always crank. You need to see if it's an issue in the trigger circuit or the load-side of the circuit. That's what the above test helps decide.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
1987 5.0 speed density Foxbody crank no start
  • Alan2204
  • May 23, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
313
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 30, 2026
Mcmahst
C
Electrical HELP! 1989 5.0 Stick, Voltage Bleed onto Ignition Trigger wire
  • ChickenDeluxe
  • May 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
239
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 24, 2026
ChickenDeluxe
C
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
264
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
T
Electrical 1990 Vert starting/Solenoid issues
  • Tom77
  • Apr 18, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
391
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 18, 2025
85GTStangGuy
M
85 mustang 5.0 cranking in run position
  • Mamaclean
  • May 23, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
147
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 1, 2026
General karthief
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?