I live in Southern California where the outside air temperatures run pretty high. When the sun is shining and the temp outside is about 88 degrees or more, I get the following problem with my '01 V6 3.8L EFI Ford Mustang Convertible: I turn the ignition switch and absolutely nothing happens in the way of ignition sequence. There is not even a clicking sound …. just silence. To remedy the situation I do the following: Roll down all 4 windows, open up the convertible top and open the engine compartment hood. I then wait 20 minutes or so and try to start again. 20 minutes waiting is usually enough to successfully start the car. Once the car has cooled a bit (after 20 minutes) the starter motor cranks and the engine starts right up. This has been an ongoing problem for over 5 years and I'm finally reaching out for some help. According to one AAA tow-truck driver's opinion this problem MAY be related to the anti-theft system: One day, I drove my car onto the freeway to help a friend whose tire had blown-out. I parked my Mustang there on the freeway shoulder and assisted her to call AAA to fix the tire. By the time the AAA tow-truck driver had changed her tire, my car had become a victim of the heat. Naturally the AAA driver tried to start my car. He pointed out that the red "theft" light was flashing and suggested that it might be related to the anti-theft circuitry. The car has the anti-theft "key" snapped off inside the anti-theft "receptacle" and it is not removable. When the car was first sold to the original owner they did not choose to pay the extra money for a removable anti-theft "key" so the dealer just broke off the handle from the "key". I know about this because I was an original purchaser of a 1993 Ford Explorer and I opted to purchase the ant-theft "key" from the dealership. Anyway, I'd appreciate any helpful suggestions.
Hot Weather - No Crank, Not Even A Click!
- Thread starter daveinit
- Start date
wmburns
SN Certified Technician
FWIIW, the 96-98 anti-theft (PATS) system disables the stater circuit. This result in a no crank symptom.
The 99-04 MY Anti-theft (PATS) system disables fuel and spark. The results in a crank with no start condition. Your symptom is no crank. IMO, the problem is NOT a PATS problem.
To solve this problem we need to know if this is a starter problem or starter circuit problem. Recommend the next time this occurs jump between the main starter and the smaller starter solenoid terminal. Under normal circumstances this will force the starter to engage. So be prepared. Make sure it's in neutral/park so that the car will not move should the starter engage.
If the starter does NOT engage this proves the problem is in the starter itself.
If the starter does engage, then there is a problem in the starter circuit. Additional trouble shooting would be the next logical step.
The 99-04 MY Anti-theft (PATS) system disables fuel and spark. The results in a crank with no start condition. Your symptom is no crank. IMO, the problem is NOT a PATS problem.
To solve this problem we need to know if this is a starter problem or starter circuit problem. Recommend the next time this occurs jump between the main starter and the smaller starter solenoid terminal. Under normal circumstances this will force the starter to engage. So be prepared. Make sure it's in neutral/park so that the car will not move should the starter engage.
If the starter does NOT engage this proves the problem is in the starter itself.
If the starter does engage, then there is a problem in the starter circuit. Additional trouble shooting would be the next logical step.
PROBLEM SOLVED!! Must Read!!
I'm very very happy because I have solved the problem I described in my initial post. Thank you very much WMBURNS for responding to my post and giving me very sensible advice. I've read alot of your postings not only here on Stangnet but on other Mustang forums as well, much respect to you.
So I looked closely at the "anti-theft" device and saw that it had "VTP" embossed on the plastic piece which accepts the "key". I started searching for "VTP anti-theft device". I found a very good post which accurately describes this type of after-market device. It told of dealerships who install these devices on every car on their lot as a way to get extra money from the consumer.
Once I realized that the device was NOT Ford factory installed, I decided to remove it completely. During the removal process I found that the device was spliced into an ignition switch wire under the dash. The gray/pink wire was cut and the device was spliced in using crimp-on connectors. As I was removing it ONE OF THE CRIMP-ON CONNECTORS JUST FELL OFF THE IGNITION WIRE! In other words, a bad crimp, a loose connection, the type that would completely lose contact if it were to get a bit warm and expand slightly. I knew I'd nailed it when that connector fell off. I soldered the original wire back together. I fired up the car and it felt, ran, idled, sounded better than ever! Not only does my car start in hot weather now, I had a big problem with a Check Engine Light and P0301 Cylinder One Misfire code. My car ran like crap and I've been trying to troubleshoot THAT problem for a long time as well. Removing the aftermarket anti-theft device solved BOTH problems!! No more Check Engine Light, No more misfire. I'm going to write up a new thread along the lines of "Beware of aftermarket anti-theft devices installed by dealerships". They are not Ford equipment so there is very little info about them and, as in my case, they can cause alot of problems if installed sloppily. Spread the word!
I'm very very happy because I have solved the problem I described in my initial post. Thank you very much WMBURNS for responding to my post and giving me very sensible advice. I've read alot of your postings not only here on Stangnet but on other Mustang forums as well, much respect to you.
So I looked closely at the "anti-theft" device and saw that it had "VTP" embossed on the plastic piece which accepts the "key". I started searching for "VTP anti-theft device". I found a very good post which accurately describes this type of after-market device. It told of dealerships who install these devices on every car on their lot as a way to get extra money from the consumer.
Once I realized that the device was NOT Ford factory installed, I decided to remove it completely. During the removal process I found that the device was spliced into an ignition switch wire under the dash. The gray/pink wire was cut and the device was spliced in using crimp-on connectors. As I was removing it ONE OF THE CRIMP-ON CONNECTORS JUST FELL OFF THE IGNITION WIRE! In other words, a bad crimp, a loose connection, the type that would completely lose contact if it were to get a bit warm and expand slightly. I knew I'd nailed it when that connector fell off. I soldered the original wire back together. I fired up the car and it felt, ran, idled, sounded better than ever! Not only does my car start in hot weather now, I had a big problem with a Check Engine Light and P0301 Cylinder One Misfire code. My car ran like crap and I've been trying to troubleshoot THAT problem for a long time as well. Removing the aftermarket anti-theft device solved BOTH problems!! No more Check Engine Light, No more misfire. I'm going to write up a new thread along the lines of "Beware of aftermarket anti-theft devices installed by dealerships". They are not Ford equipment so there is very little info about them and, as in my case, they can cause alot of problems if installed sloppily. Spread the word!
wmburns
SN Certified Technician
This is what I would call a true sucess story. This is a sucess on a number of levels.
There's the OP out there using his/her brain. Learning. Solving problems. Saving money.
Then there's the forum follow up. It's so nice to see when someone actually takes the time to post an accurate "follow-up" or final resolution. To often, ppl get on the forums looking only for the "quick fix" or that magic cheat code. It's nice to see someone do the work and see it all the way through.
I like to think that one of the ways I can give back to the hobby is by answering posts such as this. It's good to hear that someone is actually reading these and getting use from it.
There's the OP out there using his/her brain. Learning. Solving problems. Saving money.
Then there's the forum follow up. It's so nice to see when someone actually takes the time to post an accurate "follow-up" or final resolution. To often, ppl get on the forums looking only for the "quick fix" or that magic cheat code. It's nice to see someone do the work and see it all the way through.
I like to think that one of the ways I can give back to the hobby is by answering posts such as this. It's good to hear that someone is actually reading these and getting use from it.
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