Starting troubles

[Makoshark5.0_23]

I have an '88 GT. I have trouble with it turning over a lot of the time. At first turn of the ignition, nothing happens. Not even a click. Sometimes if I wait a few minutes with the ignition on it will start with the next turn. For the most part it does nothing, but when it does turn over it starts right away. Could it be the safety neutral switch? Or could it be the starter? I thought if it was the starter it would still be making some kind of racket. Any ideas?

 

[dcurtis]

Maybe the ignition switch on the column

 

[HISSIN50]

When it wont do anything, does everything on the car go dead?

If not, your clutch switch hypothesis is possible. I've had to adjust mine quite a few times (so I dont have to put my foot through the floor to start it). You can put a test light on the solenoid trigger and see if the signal is reaching that point. If it is (when it doesnt do anything), the CSS is not the issue.

Good luck.

 

[jrichker]

No Crank checklist for 5.0 Mustangs

Since some of the tests will bypass the safety interlocks, make sure that the car is in neutral and the parking brake is set. Becoming a pancake isn’t part of the repair process…

Check battery, terminal connections, ground, starter relay switch (also known as solenoid) and starter in that order. The clamp on with 2 bolts battery terminal ends are a know problem causer.

A voltmeter is handy if you are familiar with how to use it to find bad connections. Measure the voltage drop across a connection while trying to start the car: more than .5 volts across a connection indicates a problem.
See http://www.fluke.com/application_notes/automotive/circuit.asp?AGID=1&SID=103 for help for help troubleshooting voltage drops across grounds.

1.) Will the car start if it is jumped? Then clean battery terminals and check battery.

2.) Check the battery to engine block ground, and the ground behind the engine to the firewall.

3.) Jump the big terminals on the starter relay next to the battery with a screwdriver - watch out for the sparks! If the engine cranks, the starter and power wiring is good. The starter relay is also known as a starter solenoid.

4.) Then pull the small push on connector (small red/blue wire) off the starter solenoid (Looks like it is stuck on a screw). Then jump between the screw and the terminal that is connected to the battery. If it starts, the relay is good and your problem is in the rest of the circuit.

5.) Remember to check the ignition switch, neutral safety switch on auto trans and the clutch safety switch on manual trans cars. If they are good, then you have wiring problems.
Typical start circuit...
Diagram courtesy of Tmoss &Stang&2birds

See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195963.gif for 88-90 year cars
See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195964.gif for 91-93 year cars.
See http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1d/db/3c/0900823d801ddb3c.jsp for 94-95 model cars.

6.) The starter may be hung, loosen up the bolts that hold it on, and give it a good whack with a big hammer. Tighten up the bolts and try again.

7.) Pull the starter and take it to Autozone or Pep Boys and have them test it. Starter fails test, then replace it. If you got this far, the starter is probably bad.

Starter solenoid wiring for 86-91 Mustang

Starter solenoid wiring 92-93 Mustang or upgraded high torque mini starter.

 

[Makoshark5.0_23]

I was told it might be the ignition switch in the column. Nothing goes dead. I can also jump start it from the starter solinoid using a screwdriver. That usually starts it up right away. I'll try the safety neutral switch first. If not, I'll try the ignition switch on the column. Thanks!

 

[HISSIN50]

:OT: Joe, I didn't think there was much room for improvement but your diagrams keep getting cooler and cooler.

 

[dcurtis]

if you can jump it over at the solenoid I would ssay try anouther solenoid?