problems starting

eprider

New Member
May 22, 2005
8
0
0
Fort Sill OK
i own a 2000 mustang that cranks 9 out of 10 times. when it doesn't start, it cranks for a second, then the starter starts clicking, just like when you have a dead battery. a jump later and it cranks fine. im not sure if im having a charging problem or not. i tested the battery and it tested fine. i tested the alternator in the car and was putting out about double the amperage it is supposed to so i tore it out and brought it into autozone so they could do some other test on it. it tested perfectly fine out of the car. the battery is 4 months old and never gave me a problem.

it started about a week after i put my underdrive pulleys on. 2 pulleys, water pump and crank, 42% reduction. i don't think its my pulleys because, like i said, the alternator is still charging the battery, sometimes.

it baffled me and the guys at autozone. all im doing now is carrying jumper cables and a portable jump starter with me until i can figure out what the hell the problem is. any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Do all your lights go out when you hit the starter on the times it doesn't start? You might have an intermittent battery clamp connection. A lot of times, corrosion will start to break the connection, and will pass a light load (lights + accessories) but will open when you hit it with a large load like the starter.