Solve my mystery

[Jinx]

Update

I received a call from my Mom this morning. She said the car was running fine 2 days ago, she let it sit in the driveway for 2 days, and now it won't start. She hears the clicking of sensors and solenoids but the starter won't turn. She also says that when it does run/drive and she turns it off that the "key chime reminder" sounds even after the key has been removed.

So what I'm thinking is either:
Bad solenoid
Bad starter
Bad column ignition switch

What are your thoughts??

 

[mackey]

I think the battery is dead. Turn your lights on. Check how much light they are emmitting. Also the codes that you got, the 111 means it checked out alright. I would look into cleaning the parts that have been listed above. MAF, clean out the IAC, and the IAT sensor.

 

[Jinx]

She had the car at AutoZone. They tested the battery and the Alternator. They both came up good.

I'm gonna stop by her place on my way home tonight and give the starter a tap. If it starts, I'll look into seeing if the starter needs to be cleaned/rewired or replaced (I hope not).

 

[Jinx]

Update

Well from the looks of it, her starter is shot. I tried tapping it with a hammer (to possibly loose the cog wheel) and it still won't crank the engine. I turn the key and all you can hear after the solenoid engages is a loud, fast, repetative clicking/grinding noise comming from the starter. I don't even think the starter cog is engaging the engine flywheel.

 

[ROLLIN5.0]

She also says that when it does run/drive and she turns it off that the "key chime reminder" sounds even after the key has been removed.

A lot of these cars do that. Although it also tells you that the lights are on, and it sounds like she has a dead battery. HMMM. You'll have to swap the ignition switch to get rid of that one, or disable the chime. Mine does the same thing, as well as my mother-in-laws 94 V6.
Brandon

 

[Chythar]

A lot of these cars do that. Although it also tells you that the lights are on, and it sounds like she has a dead battery. HMMM. You'll have to swap the ignition switch to get rid of that one, or disable the chime. Mine does the same thing, as well as my mother-in-laws 94 V6.
Brandon

I've had to deal with that before, twice. There's a little contact that touches the ignition cylinder, and it's held on by a thin piece of plastic. That contact is what tells the computer that the key's still in the ignition. I bet the plastic is broken, and the contact is no longer touching the ignition cylinder.

You'll need to disconnect the battery first, just to be safe. Next, put the key in the ignition and turn it to Run (like you were going to start the car). Remove the ignition cylinder by placing a small screwdriver in the hole on the bottom of the steering column. Wiggle the key a bit if it won't go. The pin inside should push up, and you can now remove the ignition cylinder.

Next, remove the screws holding the bottom of the steering column cover in place. Once it drops, you should see the small plastic piece I mentioned. It just clips on to the bottom of the ignition cylinder housing, and is likely broken. Hopefully, you can tape it back into place (like I did), and you'll be fine. I'd also clean the contact points while you're here. Put it back together, and the chime should hopefully be gone.

 

[Jinx]

Thanks for the info Chythar, it's a good refresher since it's been a while since I replace the one on my truck. I think that hers will have to be replaced soon cause the whole unit actually wiggles slightly within the column.

As for the starter, she's taking it in next Wed. to have it done.

 

[Jinx]

Final Update

Well it all turned out to be a dead cell in the battery. It would test fine (when running) beacuse the Alt. would put a charge on it. However with the missing power due to the dead cell, the battery did not produce enough amps to crank the starter after sitting for a few days.

Thanks for all the help and replies everyone.

 

[CManT1914]

Well it all turned out to be a dead cell in the battery. It would test fine (when running) beacuse the Alt. would put a charge on it. However with the missing power due to the dead cell, the battery did not produce enough amps to crank the starter after sitting for a few days.

Thanks for all the help and replies everyone.

Glad to hear you got it fixed.