Starter problems....

[94mustanggirl]

Ok, so im new to this..and i was searching on-line to see if i could find any related help.. so if anyone can please help, and if this was posted previously then my bad for making anyone re-type the same stuff..

Alright,
Well I have a 94 5.0 Mustang V8 i think - i dont know jack about cars - which is again why i need help.. well..

Sometimes -
Especially when its hot out, like now - its being only in the 90s, sometimes it takes me a couple times to start my car.. its not a ticking noise, but a 'im trying, im trying im trying, i cant' noise.. and then if i pause for a moment.. and try again it will start.

Ontop of that problem - I noticed, that without the keys the car will start. Sometimes when i put the key in the ignition, it is tough to move to get the car started, i feel like im gonna break it sometimes with the amount of force i need to use to get it be ready to start.. but once its started, i can easily take the keys out of the ignition.

And sometimes with no keys at all, i can start the car no problem..

Is this evidence that the car was once hot-wired? With the first issue, is it because of the starter? Or theres not a strong spark for it to connect to start properly? Im confused.. but im not an idiot to know that there is some type of problem with the car..Im kinda at a loss for words, and i want to be somewhat educated, so a car tech doesnt play me because they think i look like barbie. Im in the Army - and cars is probably one of the only things i dont know about...

Let me know...

Thanks,
Lyndsey

 

[HISSIN50]

Welcome to the boards!

When it's tardy in starting, it is turning over? Turning over = whir whir whir but it doesn't actually start and idle on its own.

If it won't even turn over, it's like you don't even have a battery in the car. That's a different issue so let us know which one it is.



The key crap can all be the ignition lock itself. These cars are known for having lock cylinders that don't hold the key, even if the key is not turned to the off position.

If you dont turn they key all the way back to the off position, you can turn the lock back to the run or crank position without reinserting the key.




WHen it feels like the lock or key is binding, try turning the steering wheel one way or the other, which lightly trying to turn the key. Doing this often allows the key to turn easily (the steering wheel lock feature can cause binding, and turning the wheel unloads it).

IF this is the case, it can actually all be quite normal (though that's not to say that there wasn't a previous issue).




Confirm the details about when it won't actually start for you and we can get your going in the right direction with a couple of quick things to observe or check.

Good luck.