weird no start issue, what is this a sign of?

[Red_LX]

OK I will start out by explaining this whole situation.

This is actually on my old '90 2.3L Mustang, but I figure the ignition system is basically the same as the 5.0's. Back in like April, I was finishing up the new engine for my Thunderbird and I wanted to take the starter off my mustang ot put on that engine (the starter was practically new). When I went to take the starter off, I unhooked the negative battery cable and I swear when I touched the socket to the starter it sparked, so I disconnected the positive cable also. I swapped out this starter for an old one I had that I had thought was still good. When I put everything back together, the car wouldn't even crank, and I didn't mess with it anymore.

Fast forward to about a week ago, I put a battery back in the car to see what it would do. When you turn the key to the start position, the factory tach jumps to 500 RPM ( have a small aftermarket tach in the car and it does not move). Then when you turn the key to actually start the car, the tach jumps up like the car was cranking, except it's not cranking, all I can hear is a faint clicking sound from the starter. I'm guessing the starter is junk, but why is the tach jumping?

 

[jerry beach]

Sounds like a dead battery. have it checked out free at the autoparts store if you dont know how to test it.

could be bad connections or batt/starter cables too.

 

[Red_LX]

Battery isnt' dead, I just charged it.

 

[HISSIN50]

The battery can still be at fault though - I am sure you know that, but it is worth mentioning. If, for instance, you turn on the headlights, do they come on nice and bright and maintain full illumination for 30 seconds+?

I have used jumper cables to 'replicate' power cables and grounds. If performance goes through the roof after doing this on a particular cable (battery power, battery ground, motor to chassis ground, etc) you have found a bad one.

Dont forget to check out the starter solenoid (if a 2.3L has one - I assume it does). If jumping the two big lugs makes it crank, but it does not crank when touching the slide-on terminal to the battery lug, that suggests the solenoid is at fault.
Good luck bud.